Farming: Banking on co-operation
Farmers and those living in the countryside may have a new bank from which to borrow or in which they can deposit money with the establishment of a Farm and Rural Credit Union.The possibility was...
View ArticleComment: Banks should not underplay rate swap scandal
THE mis-selling of insurance products to small firms is another hammer blow to the banks. It could also prove to be worse in terms of compensation and duration than the equally squalid mis-selling of...
View ArticleMicrosoft takes on 2,000 young Scottish workers
Software giant Microsoft is planning to recruit more than 2,000 apprentices in Scotland over the next three years.The American firm said it wanted to ensure there are enough skilled people entering the...
View ArticleFirstGroup boosted by rail franchise extensions
INVESTORS have cautiously welcomed news that FirstGroup will receive extensions on two of its busiest passenger rail franchises, nudging the group’s shares slightly higher in an otherwise weak...
View ArticleDiageo to slow down deals – and develop tequila
DRINKS giant Diageo is expected to slow down its acquisition strategy following a recent buying spree, saying it wants to develop its own tequila brand after ending talks to buy a stake in Jose...
View ArticleJohn Lewis enjoys “solid” end to the year
Department store group John Lewis has reported a 9.8 per cent rise in sales for the final week of its financial year, which it described as a “solid” result given the disruption caused by snow.The...
View ArticleBT posts higher profits despite fall in revenues
Telecoms giant BT has unveiled a 7 per cent rise in pre-tax profits for the third quarter, although revenues fell 6 per cent to £4.5 billion.The group posted a pre-tax profit of £675 million for the...
View ArticlePinewood Shepperton raises curtain on £200m expansion plan
The studio where films such as Prometheus and Skyfall were produced has announced plans for a £200 million expansion that could create more than 3,000 jobs.Pinewood Studios said the move would give it...
View ArticleScottish Business Briefing - Friday 01 February, 2013
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. BANKINGBanks face £1bn bill over swap...
View ArticleLondon cab maker sold to Chinese firm for £11m
Chinese industrial group Geely, which owns Swedish car maker Volvo, has bought the company behind London’s iconic black taxis for £11 million.The deal to buy the “business and the principal assets” of...
View ArticleScottish economy returns to growth
Scotland’s economy grew by 0.6 per cent during the third quarter of 2012, according to official figures published today.The figure compares with a contraction of 0.1 per cent during the previous...
View ArticleMarkets: Shares resuming upward trajectory
London’s top share index resumed its rally yesterday, cheered by encouraging data from both sides of the Atlantic.Improved industrial surveys from Germany, Italy and the UK combined with solid jobs...
View ArticleUpbeat jobs data sees US on track
US STOCKS hit five-year highs yesterday after jobs and manufacturing data showed the economy’s sluggish recovery is still on track.The Dow industrials hit 14,000 for the first time since mid October...
View ArticleSpar and Lang hit by squeeze
THE squeeze on consumer spending and changes at one of its major customers led to a 64 per cent drop in profits at Dundee-based wholesaler CJ Lang.The family-owned firm, which is the master franchisee...
View ArticleRyanair given chance to prove Aer Lingus deal case
Ryanair has one last chance to argue the merits of its latest attempt to acquire Irish rival Aer Lingus, the European Union’s competitions chief said yesterday as he prepares to decide the deal’s...
View ArticleManufacturing growth provides hope for an economic recovery
Britain’s manufacturers remained in growth mode last month, boosting hopes the economy can avoid a triple-dip recession.The positive purchasing managers’ index (PMI) coincided yesterday with a...
View ArticleGeorge Kerevan: Scotland’s recession shallower than feared
THE good news in the latest Scottish growth figures is that the economy expanded by 0.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2012. That’s a big enough number for me to trust we really are back in positive...
View ArticleBarclays could face prosecution over Qatar deal
Allegations that Barclays lent money to the Qataris to buy its own shares at the height of the financial crisis could see the bank face fresh prosecution in the US over Libor fixing, an analyst has...
View ArticleIberia faces ‘reductions’ as IAG union deal fails
The parent company of British Airways is to press ahead with plans to slash capacity at its struggling Spanish subsidiary after failing to reach a deal with unions.International Airlines Group (IAG),...
View ArticleCrunch talks for stockbroker Seymour Pierce
One of the City’s oldest stockbrokers is hoping to reach a deal over the coming days to raise vital funds in a bid to stave off administration.The 130-year-old Seymour Pierce has been hit by a slump in...
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