Category: Articles

With reports coming out today on the BBC that there could be 100 billion barrels of oil in the Jurassic Kimmeridge formation according to UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG), the conversation about oil and gas drilling in England is more important than ever.

Iranian Nuclear Deal Could Lead to Oil Flooding the Market

The Institute's three and six-month Global Trader Mentoring Programmes are open to all Retail Traders globally, and include full trader coaching on a weekly basis with Institute Senior Mentors Raj Malhotra (New York) and Jason Mcdonald (London).

Mortgage rates were little changed this week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate remaining at 3.82 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.25 discount and origination points.

With the new tax year starting on Easter Monday (6 April), changes to some tax rates and allowances will be introduced that individuals can take advantage of. ICAEW advises taxpayers to check which changes could make a difference to their personal finances and to get expert advice if unsure.

The Eurasian liquefied petroleum gas market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2014 to 2019.

About half of Americans are saving no more than 5% of their incomes, according to a new Bankrate.com report. Roughly one in five (18%) are saving nothing at all, plus 28% who are saving something, but not more than 5%.

Receiving a hefty tax refund can be as joyful as Christmas in March or April. The goods you can buy are endless. Maybe even treat yourself to that new car you've had your eye on – after all, you work hard and deserve it.

The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) will track the rapid but rocky transformation of Mongolia from agrarian society to would-be industrialized nation on Thursday, April 9.

Consumer spending continues to drive the UK economic recovery, with retail sales rising 5.7% in February compared with a year earlier.

A majority of British adults are falling through an 'advice gap' by not making use of financial advisers, according to new research from unbiased.co.uk and MetLife. The research also reveals that those who do use advisers are often failing to seek advice about the most important issues. The 2015 Value of Advice research indicates a growing financial awareness among the younger generation, with many actively seeking advice, but also shows that a large proportion of adults are still not advised for the most crucial stages of life.

The UK's inflation rate fell to 0% in February 2015 from 0.3% in January.

UK businesses are not planning how to manage and deploy human capital, according to a poll conducted by Corporate Research Forum, in conjunction with KPMG. Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) includes taking actions to acquire, retain, develop, motivate and deploy human capital. Increasingly since the financial crisis, SWP has been utilised by businesses looking to improve performance and manage future challenges. However, this research indicates that there is substantial room for improvement.

Activity in the manufacturing sector remained broadly steady in March, according to the CBI's latest Industrial Trends Survey.

Last year 81% of large UK businesses and 60% of small companies suffered a cyber security breach. A report published on 23 March by HM Government and Marsh, one of the UK's leading insurance brokers and risk advisors, announces new joint initiatives between government and the insurance sector to help firms get to grips with cyber risk; to establish cyber insurance as part of firms' cyber toolkits and cement London as the global centre for cyber risk management.

The value of the UK's lakes, reservoirs, marshes, bogs, canals and rivers has risen by more than a quarter in five years according to the first ever analysis of freshwater ecosystems from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In line with CBI lobbying Budget 2015 saw a reversal of the 2011 windfall tax on oil and gas companies operating in the North Sea and some comforts for energy intensive industries. As we edge closer to the election it's essential that government takes a holistic view of the UK Continental shelf aimed at maximising recovery.

British Land announces it has completed a £733 million property exchange transaction with Tesco. Under the terms of the transaction, British Land has sold its 50% interest in a joint venture portfolio of 21 stand-alone foodstores to Tesco and acquired Tesco's 50% interest in two joint venture portfolios predominately comprising Tesco-anchored shopping centres and retail parks.

SMHCA Capital Advisors, Inc. (SMHCA) is a privately-owned, value-oriented investment manager based in Fort Worth, Texas, specialising in fixed income management. Dwayne Moyers, Morgan Neff, and Daniel Rudnitsky make up the portfolio team. The firm, which was founded in 1989, has a global clientele, catering to individuals, high net worth individuals, investment companies, pension and […]

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments on the penny cut in beer duty just announced in the Budget:

Almost one quarter (23 per cent) of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) think that a Government led implementation of stricter payment terms would have a significantly positive impact on their business over the coming 12 months, according to an npower Business survey of SMEs in the UK.

A new joint venture business has been created to host government computer servers. Crown Hosting Data Centres is a new joint venture between the government and the SME Ark Data Centres Limited, and will provide public bodies with a physical space to host their computer servers and systems that aren't in the cloud.

Open Garden's Off-the-Grid Messaging App Wins "Innovation in Connecting People" Category

"Trade with China dominated the Chancellor's coverage of exports in his 2015 Budget. He promised to double UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) resources to support exports to China, and posed the reminder that the UK is the first Western country to seek to become a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Bank in Beijing.

The Barclays Employers' Survey 2015, which questioned over 660 UK businesses*, has revealed that mid-size businesses will be leading on job creation and wage growth in 2015.

Smart use of technology in physical stores creates a personalised shopping experience to improve customer service and loyalty

Following years of global experience working within the travel sector, data forensics and information security experts Foregenix has launched a specialist airline security team to assist airlines, airports and service providers and aviation businesses to ensure their data is secure, including customer and payment details.

Responding to the announced increase in the minimum wage the Communication Workers Union welcomes an increase but says far more needs to be done to tackle low pay and pushes for the Living Wage to be applied by employers.

The accountancy landscape is changing – new technologies, competition, regulations and client expectations are making the future of the profession uncertain, says ICAEW.

Banks such as Santander are raring to lend to UK businesses – indeed, there has never been a better time to seek financing.

Minimum Wage Workers Will Be Hit by Chancellor's Cuts, Says TUC

Despite lower gas prices and reduced unemployment, most Americans are taking advantage of their savings at the pump to cover basic needs and pay off debt, according to the data released this week by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) and National Journal.

Zurich have launched their 'Security and Privacy' policy and 'DigitalResolve' an innovative cyber-protection policy and a global breach response service that will support companies facing cyber risks.

The CBI has reiterated calls for the Chancellor to focus the Budget on supporting the UK's medium-sized businesses to grow.

Fraud detection and prevention has been cited as one of the biggest fraud challenges faced today and in the near future in a poll of delegates who attended Experian's recent Future of Fraud and Identity event. Nearly a third (31%) believe this to be the case.

Politicians who continue to claim that three million jobs are linked to our EU membership should be publicly challenged over misuse of this assertion. Jobs are associated with trade, not membership of a political union, and there is little evidence to suggest that trade would substantially fall between British businesses and European consumers in the event the UK was outside the EU.