Cheshire and Derbyshire launch fixed-rate bonds

ITV gains 3.58 percent to lead gains on FTSE 100

European equities markets were lower to end the week on Friday, with trade hurt by a report from the US Commerce Department which showed that the US economy grew by 1 percent in the second quarter over the same period last year, less of an advance than expected, while the latest Thomson Reuters/ University of [...]

Retail outlook gloomy as sales fall

UK retail sales volumes fell in August, at the fastest pace for over a year, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reports. In a new quarterly survey, 46% of retailers said they had experienced falling sales in the two weeks to mid-August (compared with a year earlier) and the level of negativity registered over prospects [...]

Thaw in private sector pay rises

UK pay settlement levels are stable, according to the latest analysis from employment research specialist, Incomes Data Services (IDS). The average settlement for the three months to the end of July stood at 2.5%, having remained constant since January, and with pay settlements in manufacturing continuing to lead the way, typically at 2.9%. In addition, [...]

Premier Oil drops 9.71 percent on equipment concerns

European equities markets were lower Thursday on the possibility that regulators will impose new restrictions on equities markets as a deadline approaches in France, Spain and Italy for a decision on whether or not to extend bans on short-selling which expire over the next two days. The FTSE 100 was down 1.44 percent to 5,131.1 [...]

Co-op hit by falling food sales

Co-operative Group has reported a fall in first-half underlying profit to £230.8 million, down from £262.3 million a year earlier. The mutual has been hit by declining food sales in the face of strong competition, reduced government funding for prescriptions and a change in the income recognition policy on the sale of its funeral bonds. [...]

Consumer confidence slips

Consumer confidence slipped by two points in July, according to Nationwide’s index, returning to a level seen in the post-Christmas gloom of January. At 49 points, the lender’s main confidence index remains well below its long-run average of 79, and the building society is not expecting a substantial improvement during the remainder of this year. [...]

Customer complaints down at Barclays

Barclays has improved its customer service, with new complaints down 9% in the first half of 2011, compared with the previous six-month period, to 251,563. However, in the general insurance and protection category, volumes increased 25% to 73,692 with payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints leading the surge. The bank expects PPI volumes to be even [...]

Steve Jobs steps down at Apple

Steve Jobs has stepped down as chief executive of technology giant, Apple, to be replaced by Tim Cook, previously the group’s chief operating officer. In his resignation letter, Mr Jobs, who has been on medical leave following a diagnosis of cancer, said: “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could [...]

Brits to pay tax on money hidden in Swiss bank accounts

UK residents holding cash and investments with Swiss banks are to be taxed by Swiss authorities, with the money then handed over to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A deal has been agreed between governments whereby account holders can retain their anonymity but will be forced to make their contribution to the Treasury. HMRC expects [...]

Man Group adds 10 percent on HSBC upgrade

European equities markets were higher Wednesday after the US Commerce Department reported that orders for durable goods, those products meant to last for three years or more, were up by 4 percent in the US in July, more than expected after having dropped in June. The FTSE 100 was up 1.49 percent to 5,205.85 in [...]