Spanish debt costs soar adding to fears
CONCERNS have heightened that Spain may need bailing out after it was forced to pay the second-highest yield on short-term debt since the birth of the euro.The development came as the credit rating...
View ArticleSalz offers Barclays a chance to ‘drive change in its values’
THE lawyer-turned-investment banker appointed yesterday to head a searching review of the operating culture at scandal-hit Barclays has claimed the probe could give the bank the chance to “drive a...
View ArticleCussons hit by record cost hikes
The maker of Imperial Leather has suffered a 50 per cent fall in profits after a year marked by a record hike in raw material costs and unrest in its biggest market. PZ Cussons, which also makes Carex...
View ArticleMartin Gilbert faces growing pressure to quit as FirstGroup chairman
FIRSTGROUP chairman Martin Gilbert will today face fresh shareholder pressure to step down over continued under-performance of the firm.Analysts have criticised the board’s “numerous and significant”...
View ArticleContract wins fuel Energy Assets surge
A SERIES of contract wins helped turnover at Livingston-based gas meter supplier Energy Assets jump by a third during the opening months of its new financial year, outstripping analysts’...
View ArticleFinsbury Food shrugs off rising costs to break £200m sales barrier
Bakery wholesaler Finsbury Food yesterday reported a 9.4 per cent rise in annual sales, despite tough market conditions and rising raw ingredient prices.The group, which is the UK’s second largest...
View ArticleKremlin eyes BP’s £16bn stake in oil joint venture
THE Kremlin broke cover yesterday with a move to snap up BP’s $25 billion (£16bn) stake in its Russian joint venture TNK-BP after state-owned Rosneft said it was starting talks with the British oil...
View ArticleConsolidation is a Vertu for car dealership as it plans acquisitions
CAR dealership Vertu Motors has further acquisitions in its sights as it continues to prosper from industry consolidation.The firm, which was launched as a cash shell less than six years ago and is now...
View Article1,100 jobs for JLR factory
JAGUAR Land Rover (JLR) is to create a further 1,100 jobs at one of its plants, the Indian-owned group will announce today.The expansion of the workforce at its Castle Bromwich facility in the West...
View Article‘Breakaway’ stockbroker N+1 Brewin merges with rival Singer
Stockbroker N+1 Brewin, which broke away from wealth manager Brewin Dolphin earlier this year, is to merge with rival Singer Capital Markets.The firm, which has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, said...
View ArticleLand reform under review says Salmond
The first steps towards possible major land reforms in Scotland emerged yesterday with the First Minister announcing the setting up of the Land Reform Review GroupSpeaking in Skye, where a summer...
View ArticleBusiness news in brief: Rolls-Royce | Pace | Imperial Tobacco
ENGINEERING giant Rolls-Royce yesterday revealed that it is to provide engines for the world’s first international ferries to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), cutting greenhouse gas...
View ArticleCarpetright is up off the floor
Floor coverings firm Carpetright offered some comfort on recent trading yesterday after store refits and favourable weather helped boost UK sales.The group’s profits recently slumped to £4 million from...
View ArticleCelebrity adverts boost Virgin Media sales
Television advertisements featuring David Tennant and quiz show host Stephen Fry have helped Virgin Media’s TiVo service sign up its millionth customer as the battle for online TV viewers gathers...
View ArticleAsda caves in as milk price protesters gain edge
The battle over the price of milk swung in favour of producers last night with the National Farmers Union of England and Wales announcing that Asda had confirmed it would raise the price it pays for...
View ArticleScottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 25 July, 2012
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. FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTUREAsda caves in as...
View ArticleEasyJet raises profit forecasts
Low-cost airline EasyJet has enjoyed a better-than-expected summer after an advertising campaign boosted sales and it benefited from cheaper fuel.Europe’s fourth-largest short-haul carrier said pre-tax...
View ArticleContinental woes sends BT shares into decline
SHARES in BT dipped 3 per cent today after the telecoms group posted a fall in first-quarter revenues amid “tough” conditions in Europe.The UK’s biggest fixed-line telephone operator generated revenues...
View ArticleCupid’s French connection seals a marriage aimed at expansion
DATING website operator Cupid still has “plenty of scope” for further takeover deals this year after yesterday tying the knot with a French peer.The Edinburgh-based com-pany, run by serial technology...
View ArticleScottish firms go bust at record rate
Scottish firms are going bust at their fastest-ever rate, official figures revealed today.A total of 420 companies went into liquidation or receivership in the three months to 30 June, according to the...
View Article