WELCOME to scotsman.com’s Scottish Business Briefing. Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.
ECONOMICS
UK manufacturing data disappoints
Fears over the outlook for UK manufacturers were raised yesterday as official figures revealed a worse-than-expected monthly performance ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/management/uk-manufacturing-data-disappoints-1-2617263|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/economics|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com}
ENERGY & UTILITIES
North Sea setback suffered by three firms
Three Scottish oil and gas companies suffered a disappointment when a potentially high reward exploration well in the North Sea was dry ({http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/north-sea-setback-suffered-by-three-firms.19350538|Herald|Herald}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/energy-and-utilities|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com}
INDUSTRY
Bowleven seals $500m development deal in Africa with Petrofac
SHARES in Bowleven jumped by up to a fifth yesterday after the Edinburgh-based oil driller signed a $500 million (£313m) deal with FTSE 100 energy services firm Petrofac to develop a gas field in Cameroon ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/management/bowleven-seals-500m-development-deal-in-africa-with-petrofac-1-2616189|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/industry|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com}
MANAGEMENT
Alexander Dennis wins ‘biggest ever orders’ for 1,000 buses worth £220m
ALEXANDER Dennis yesterday landed what is believed to be the UK bus industry’s largest-ever group of contracts after unveiling deals to supply more than 1,000 vehicles worth a total of £220 million ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/management/alexander-dennis-wins-biggest-ever-orders-for-1-000-buses-worth-220m-1-2616626|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/management|Read all today’s management news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s management news from scotsman.com}
MEDIA & LEISURE
More than 170 vie for prize money
More than 170 budding entrepreneurs keen to win a share of a £7,500 prize fund have entered the seventh annual University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Business Ideas competition ({http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2992127|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/media-and-leisure|Read all today’s media and leisure news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s media and leisure news from scotsman.com}
RETAIL
M&S profits drop again as non-food sales slide
Marks & Spencer reported falling half-year profits today as it counted the cost of its worst non-food sales performance for three years ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/m-s-profits-drop-again-as-non-food-sales-slide-1-2615492|Scotsman|Scotsman})
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail|Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com}