Macfarlane profits grow 27% despite ‘subdued’ markets
Packaging specialist Macfarlane has reported a 27 per cent rise in annual profits but said there was little evidence of a pick-up in demand amid the tough economic conditions.The Glasgow-based group...
View ArticleCanny consumers push up Moneysupermarket profits
Comparison website operator Moneysupermarket has reported a 26 per cent jump in profits, boosted by consumers’ efforts to reduce their household bills.The firm, which lets users compare the prices of...
View ArticleTwin engines of growth as John Menzies takes off
JOHN Menzies’ outgoing finance director Paul Dollman promised profit growth in both the company’s aviation and distribution divisions this year.In its year-end results announced yesterday, the...
View ArticleGilbert attacks governments over investing
The head of one of Scotland’s largest companies yesterday accused governments of adding to the problem of short- termism among investors.Martin Gilbert, co-founder and chief executive of Aberdeen Asset...
View ArticleFreezing temperatures lift Npower
Energy supplier Npower has unveiled soaring profits after last year’s colder weather forced customers to fire up the heating.The company, which courted public and political anger with a 9 per cent...
View ArticleStimulus on knife edge as economy edges to growth
Bank of England rate-setters are torn over whether to inject more cash into the economy after figures were released yesterday showing the dominant services sector continuing to improve.The monetary...
View ArticleComment: Sorry, George, but public back EC
GEORGE OSBORNE has his work cut out trying to water down the banker bonus curbs being introduced by the European Commission. The elephant in the banking remuneration room is that the British public...
View ArticleFSA admits it was too slow to spot Libor fixing
THE Financial Services Authority (FSA) has admitted that it was too slow to spot that banks were tampering with Libor – but stopped short of branding its mistake as a “major regulatory...
View ArticleMarriott opens ‘Ikea’ hotels
Hotel operator Marriott has teamed up with Ikea’s commercial property arm to launch a European hotel chain designed to attract younger travellers seeking style on a budget.The first Moxy hotel is...
View ArticleStandard record continues despite regulatory burden
ASIA-focused bank Standard Chartered yesterday posted its tenth consecutive year of record profits but warned that extra regulations were costing it $500 million (£330m) a year.Profits edged up by 1...
View ArticleBanks show ‘bias’ against builders, says FMB
A QUARTER of small building firms have missed out on contracts because they say they cannot secure funding. Banks and building societies are “actively discriminating” against construction companies,...
View ArticleBusiness in brief: Axminster Carpets | Breedon | Ingenico
Axminster Carpets – 300 jobs have been axed after the board put the company into administration. Duff & Phelps has been appointed.• Breedon Aggregates – Improved margins helped the road surfaces...
View ArticleScottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 6 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. ECONOMICSModest growth for UK services...
View ArticleLegal sector hit by Semple Fraser administration
SCOTLAND’S legal sector suffered a major casualty yesterday when Semple Fraser confirmed that it intends to call in administrators. More than 100 jobs are at risk at the commercial property...
View ArticleFresh debt crisis at Superglass spooks the City
Shares in Stirling-based insulation maker Superglass crumbled yesterday as it considered going cap in hand to the market for the second time in little more than a year to help pay its debts.The...
View ArticleCameroon upgrade lifts Bowleven shares 11%
Edinburgh-based explorer Bowleven delighted investors yesterday as it announced a “substantial” increase in the amount of oil and gas at its latest discovery off the coast of Cameroon.The...
View ArticleAdmiral staff cashing in on car insurer’s profits
Car insurer Admiral is to hand its 6,500 staff another £1,500 in free shares after marking its 20th year of trading with a 15 per cent rise in full-year profits.A similar amount was distributed at the...
View ArticleMicrosoft fined £484 million for browser breach
Europe’s competition watchdog bared its teeth yesterday as it slapped software giant Microsoft with a €561 million (£484m) fine for anti-competitive practices in a move seen as a warning to other...
View ArticleL&G surprises the market with payout for shareholders
Life and pensions group Legal & General has announced a steeper-than-expected 20 per cent hike in its dividend after unveiling results that came in just ahead of analysts’ forecasts.The UK’s...
View ArticleVodafone’s surge supports FTSE 100
Vodafone helped keep Britain’s top share index close to its five-year highs yesterday amid reports of fresh negotiations with its American joint venture partner Verizon.The pair are thought to have...
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