Scots SMEs say good Q4 fails to hasten recovery
A SURVEY of Scotland’s small firms shows many expect the economy will remain in the doldrums for at least five years, despite signs that business picked up in the final quarter of last year.Research...
View ArticleBusiness news in brief: Nucleus | National Express | Waterlogic | HP
Nucleus, the adviser-owned and controlled wrap, has seen assets on the platform pass the £5 billion barrier, following a period of record inflows. Founded in July 2006 by chief executive David Ferguson...
View ArticleScottish engineering firms remain optimistic
scottish engineering companies remain optimistic despite a “roller coaster” period for orders and output volumes, a survey today reveals.According to Scottish Engineering’s latest quarterly review,...
View ArticleComment: RBS on the mend (if you ignore scandals)
STEPHEN Hester compares the restructuring of the Royal Bank of Scotland to giving the house a spring clean and already, he says, it is beginning to look shinier.Considering that it made a £5.16 billion...
View ArticleUS economy remains weak despite upward revision
Falling imports and a smaller-than-expected drop in exports helped the US economy grow by 0.1 per cent during the final three months of 2012, reversing initial estimates of a 0.1 per cent...
View ArticleGeorge Kerevan: RBS could be a sound investment
The publicly owned bank which is making huge returns should be used as a tool for long-term recovery, not sold for a quick buck, writes George KerevanWould you buy a used bank from Stephen Hester,...
View ArticleNFUS fury at Paterson U-turn
Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for the environment, food and rural affairs at Westminster, has been challenged to deliver a fair and sustainable Common Agricultural Policy for the whole of the UK...
View ArticleScotland’s birdlife the victim of stock decline
There has been a major erosion of livestock in the hills and remote areas of the country since subsidies linked to numbers of cattle and sheep were removed a decade ago.As a result of the 16 per cent...
View ArticleDeadly virus ‘expected in Scotland soon’
A VIRUS which causes birth defects in sheep and cattle is almost certain to reach Scotland by the summer.NFUS president Nigel Miller said the Schmallenberg virus, which affected sheep and cattle across...
View ArticleIthaca to buy rival Valiant for £203m
North Sea-focused oil and gas explorer Ithaca Energy has unveiled a deal to buy rival Valiant Petroleum for £203 million in cash and shares.The Aberdeen-based firm, which is listed in London and...
View ArticleStagecoach says UK growth offsets problems in North America
Transport giant Stagecoach today said that strong growth at its bus and rail businesses in the UK would largely offset weather-related disruption and rising costs at its North American division.The...
View ArticleSales soar more than 17% at John Lewis
John Lewis has reported a 17.2 per cent jump in sales for last week, although it noted that the result was flattered by the late arrival of half-term holidays for many schools across England.The...
View ArticleSky to buy O2’s broadband business for up to £200m
Satellite broadcaster Sky is set to become the UK’s second-largest broadband provider after agreeing to pay up to £200 million for O2’s fixed-line telephony business.The firm will pay O2 parent company...
View ArticleScottish Business Briefing - Friday 1 March, 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. BANKINGRBS plans to float branches on stock...
View ArticleLloyds announce £570m in losses
Part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group narrowed its losses to £570 million in 2012 from £3.5 billion the previous year.The banking group, which owns Bank of Scotland, also confirmed that chief...
View ArticleEE’s 3.3% price hike condemned by campaigners
CAMPAIGNERS have condemned a price rise on mobile phone contracts worth an estimated £52 million from telecommunications giant EE.• EE price rise condemned by consumer campaigners• 3.3 per cent hike...
View ArticleOutgoing Groupon CEO reveals he was sacked in memo
IT is the cliché of choice for anyone looking to put a positive spin on things when leaving their job.• Outgoing Groupon CEO Andrew Mason leaves frank memo to staff revealing he was sacked• Analysts...
View ArticleSepa aims to drain the worry out of flooding woes
Scottish farming leaders yesterday claimed a breakthrough in achieving new dredging arrangements which will help thousands of farmers prevent their fields from being flooded.The changes see a new...
View ArticleHewlett-Packard seeks public sector growth
HEWLETT-Packard is looking to capture Scottish Government work in a move that the group’s UK boss said could lead to more jobs at its giant Erskine facility.Nick Wilson said the group is pursuing...
View ArticleTalisman Sinopec signs up Transocean
OIL and gas group Talisman Sinopec yesterday signed up contractor Transocean to supply a drilling rig for three years as part of its £1.6 billion Montrose Area Redevelopment (MAR) project.The £290...
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