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.
BANKING
JPMorgan plan to axe 19,000 jobs in expenses cut
BANKING giant JPMorgan Chase plans to slash up to 19,000 jobs by the end of next year as it looks to cut its overall expenses ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/banking/jpmorgan-plan-to-axe-19-000-jobs-in-expenses-cut-1-2811109|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/banking|Read all today’s banking news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s banking news from scotsman.com}
ECONOMICS
Scottish mortgage lending up 5% in 2012
The number of first-time home buyers in Scotland last year was the highest level for four years, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) ({http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-21587407|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
British Gas reveals profit rise after price hikes
THE owner of British Gas ran the gauntlet of public anger today as it revealed a £606 million profit haul at its residential arm months after hiking customer tariffs ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/energy-and-utilities/british-gas-reveals-profit-rise-after-price-hikes-1-2811313|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{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
Devro makes a case for further growth
DEVRO, the Scottish-based supplier of collagen casings for sausage products, reported strong sales in developed and emerging markets in 2012 as it continued to invest in production capacity and upgrade technology ({http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/devro-makes-a-case-for-further-growth.20348731|Herald|Herald}).
{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
Craneware’s position makes it takeover target - analyst
HOSPITAL billing software specialist Craneware yesterday posted a rise in half-year profits, sparking talk among analysts of the Edinburgh-based firm becoming a takeover target ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/management/craneware-s-position-makes-it-takeover-target-analyst-1-2811118|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
Edinburgh hotels suffer fall in occupancy rates
HOTELS across Edinburgh suffered a “worrying” drop in occupancy rates last year, according to a new report that shows the capital lagged behind rivals Aberdeen and Glasgow in the race to attract visitors (http://www.scotsman.com/business/media-and-leisure/edinburgh-hotels-suffer-fall-in-occupancy-rates-1-2811122|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}