News Tag: investment
February 25, 2010
The Federal Labour Office has today announced the number of jobless in Germany grew by 7,000 in February compared with January, taking the country's unemployment rate to 8.7% - from 8.6% the previous month.
The total number of unemployed in Europe’s largest economy now stands at 3.43 million. However, today’s figures were less than economists expected.
Fabienne Riefer from Postbank ...
German unemployment rises less than expected in Feb
by Kay Murchie
February 23, 2010
The Munich-based Ifo think tank today announced confidence among German firms has unexpectedly fallen for the first time in 10 months.
The Business Climate Index fell from 95.8 in January to 95.2 in February - analysts had expected a rise.
The euro dipped after the news but according to Hans-Werner Sinn, the Ifo's president, business sentiment will rise again as the weather ...
German business confidence hit by cold weather
by Kay Murchie
February 3, 2010
Clydesdale Bank has launched a new one-year fixed-rate bond paying interest at 4.5%.
The bond is exclusively available to customers also taking out an AXA investment product with the bank.
Savers must invest at least £2,000 in the bond, and the equivalent in an AXA investment product.
No withdrawals can be made from the bond. Customers who withdraw money from the bond are ...
Clydesdale Bank launches 4.5% one-year bond
by David Masters
January 26, 2010
The Munich-based Ifo think tank today announced that confidence among German firms has risen to its highest level in 18 months.
The Business Climate Index rose for the tenth consecutive month from 94.6 in December to 95.8 in January - exceeding analysts expectations.
In the meantime, business expectations, which form part of the index, increased to 100.6 from 98.9 - the highest reading ...
German business confidence surges in January
by Kay Murchie
January 25, 2010
According to the GfK market research group, consumer confidence in Germany is waning after the group’s climate index stood at 3.2 points in February, falling from a revised 3.4 in January.
The forward-looking consumer confidence indicator, which is based on a survey of 2,000 Germans, is being hit by the fear of rising unemployment which is putting incomes under pressure.
This ...
German morale hit by rising unemployment
by Kay Murchie
January 20, 2010
The pound gained ground against the euro yesterday as US food giant Kraft announced its takeover of British confectioner Cadbury.
The pound rose to a four-month high to 1.1477 euros as the takeover reflected the attraction of overseas companies investing in the UK, according to analysts.
Furthermore, higher than expected inflation figures boosted the prospect that the Bank of England may raise interest rates ...
Pound rises after Cadbury takeover
by Kay Murchie
January 18, 2010
The latest quarterly report from the Ernst & Young Item Club is forecasting “a decade of pain” for the UK economy, with growth only expected to be 1% this year.
The UK economy, which has now contracted for six consecutive quarters, has been lagging behind other economies and is now the last major economy that is still in recession. ...
E&Y Item Club: Economic growth will struggle this year
by Kay Murchie
January 13, 2010
The Federal Statistics Office has today revealed that the German economy, which is Europe’s largest, contracted by a record 5% in 2009 - the first time in six years the economy had shrunk and the deepest since World War II.
The record contraction was due to a slump in demand in exports and investment.
In 2009, exports plunged by 14.7% on the ...
German economy contracts record 5% in 2009
by Kay Murchie
December 2, 2009
The Government has outlined plans for the Post Office to become a ‘people’s bank’ by offering financial products.
The proposals, led by Business Secretary Lord Peter Mandelson, will create a ‘People’s Bank’, which will see Post Office outlets as the backbone of a new national bank.
According to the Government, the plans will turn the Post Office into "a leading player ...
Government unveils financial plans for the Post Office
by Kay Murchie
December 1, 2009
Pub chain JD Wetherspoon brings some good news to the economy today by announcing it is to open 250 new pubs and create 10,000 jobs.
The new pubs will be located in Sheffield, Livingston, Leominster, Otley, New Malden, Liverpool, Haverfordwest and Newcastle and are part of a £250 million investment over a five-year period.
JD Wetherspoon appears to be ...
JD Wetherspoon embarks on expansion with creation of 10,000 jobs
by Kay Murchie
November 9, 2009
Berkshire Hathaway, the investment group controlled by respected US billionaire investor, Warren Buffett, has recovered from its poor performance in 2008 and announced a surge in net profit.
The group said net profit was $3.2 billion (£1.9 billion) in the three months to September, compared to $1.1 billion in the same period a year earlier.
Seventy-nine year old Buffett is often ...
Berkshire Hathaway recovers and sees Q3 profits treble
by Kay Murchie
October 19, 2009
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has today announced plans for a "satellite office" in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is set to create around 325 jobs.
The news will be welcomed by officials and ministers from the Northern Ireland executive who have been fighting hard for more US investment in the province as part of the peace process.
The ...
More than 300 jobs created as NYSE opens Belfast office
by Kay Murchie
October 7, 2009
The recession has had a major impact on the job market with companies firing rather than hiring but today Taiwanese company Kenmark, which makes LCD televisions, has announced it is to open a factory in Corby, Northamptonshire, with new jobs up for grabs.
Corby will act as the company's Eurohub and will create 500 jobs over a ...
Kenmark to open factory in Britain with creation of 500 jobs
by Kay Murchie
September 26, 2009
The UK government is set to invest £5 million in socially responsible businesses.
Angela Smith, charities minister, said the money would provide "the missing link between social enterprise and finance."
Smith announced the investment at this month's Social Investment Conference, and said she fully supports plans for a Social Investment Wholesale Bank.
"I am keen that we develop ways to harness the power of ...
Government invests £5m in social enterprise
by David Masters
August 26, 2009
Barclays Wealth has relaunched its Regular Income Bond with an increased term of six years.
The bond, which is linked to the FTSE 100, was previously offered on a five-year term.
Returns on the bond are fixed at 7% annually, or 0.57% per month, irrespective of index performance.
A capital guarantee is also included, provided the FTSE 100 index does not fall to lower ...
Barclays Wealth extends Regular Income Bond
by David Masters
August 17, 2009
Leeds Building Society has launched a new three-year fixed-rate postal bond paying interest at 4.30%.
Customers requiring a regular income from their savings can opt to have interest paid monthly at 4.11% AER.
Savers investing in the bond can access up to 10% of the initial amount invested without notice, penalty free.
A minimum investment of £1,000 is required to open the bond.
Kim Rebecchi, LBS ...
Leeds postal bond pays 4.30%
by David Masters
August 11, 2009
Scottish Widows Bank this week launched a fixed-rate deposit account paying 5.25% interest over a five year period.
Customers can invest between £10,000 and £5 million in the account, and choose to have interest paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.
"We are delighted to be bringing a strong 5 year fixed rate savings account to the consumer market," said Mandy Webster, Scottish Widows Bank ...
Scottish Widows launches fixed-rate deposit account
by David Masters
July 20, 2009
The UK’s ailing car industry has received a boost today with the news that Nissan will create 350 new jobs at its plant in Sunderland, while safeguarding hundreds more in the related supply chain.
The new jobs come as part of a £200 million investment, spread over five years, to produce batteries for electric cars.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: ...
Nissan announces plans to create 350 new jobs
by Kay Murchie
July 13, 2009
Halifax is recommending that "straightforward" home improvements are most likely to offer the highest return in terms of adding value to a home.
According to the lender's research, fuel efficiency and energy saving measures head the list, with the potential for more than double the amount laid out to be reflected in a property's value.
Home security measures and redecorating follow. Garden improvements rank ...
Halifax ranks home improvement returns
by Gill Montia
UKFI admits selling stakes in nationalised banks will be “challenging”
by Kay Murchie
