(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors)
The Times
Panic in the markets as poll jitters hit sterling: Jitters hit the markets as analysts warned investors that Britain faced the prospect of a weak and ineffective government after a dead-heat election.
Shankar joins exodus before arrival of Winters: Another Executive has quit amid further management reshuffles at the emerging markets bank in advance of the arrival next month of its new Chief Executive.
UBS shareholders can scupper top pay: Shareholders in UBS will have their first chance to veto Executive bonuses next month after the Swiss banking group introduced a binding vote on parts of its pay policy at next month’s annual meeting.
Lloyds may raise bonds buyback price: The price of the bonds at the centre of a dispute between Lloyds and thousands of its investors rose reflecting growing expectations that the bank will have to offer better terms to buy them back.
Green light for more solar farms: Dozens of giant solar farms have sprung up in fields around the country in recent weeks as developers raced to complete them before the end of a lucrative subsidy scheme.
Oil price surges as Iran talks falter: The oil price surged nearly 4% as crunch talks aimed at settling a dispute over a nuclear weapons programme for Iran appeared to stall and official figures showed that stockpiles of U.S. crude had risen by less than had been feared.
Oil Chairman ‘forced out’ over funding rescue move: An oil company owed hundreds of millions of dollars by the Kurdish region of Iraq has raised $41 million to secure its future as the group’s former Chairman claims he was forced to quit this week in return for shareholder support for the extra funding.
Li’s son thwarted in Dailymotion bid: Li Ka-shing Asia’s richest man may have purchased Britain’s O2 but his son Richard is facing French government resistance over a bid for Dailymotion the Gallic video sharing site.
The Independent
Ineos Boss to sue former right-hand man for hiring ‘in breach of terms’: The billionaire Chairman of chemical company Ineos is to sue his former right-hand man Calum MacLean over his exit terms.
Asos finds it’s back in style as shares hit 10-month high: The City appeared to forgive online retailer Asos’s three profit warnings last year as shares closed up at a 10-month high .
The Daily Telegraph
Greece threatens default as fresh reform bid falters: The Greek government has threatened to default on its loans to the International Monetary Fund as Athens continued its battle to convince creditors for a fresh injection of bail-out cash.
Cadbury Owner charged with manipulating wheat markets: The Owner of Cadbury has been charged with manipulating wheat markets. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission accused Kraft Foods and Mondelez Global of earning more than $5 million by making a false attempt to buy $90 million-worth of wheat futures.
HP in talks with over Autonomy auditing claims: Hewlett-Packard is in talks with over a potential settlement with the Big Four auditor concerning its role in the disastrous takeover of the British software company Autonomy.
Failed cancer drug could be used to treat Alzheimer’s: A cancer drug that was shelved by has shown early promise in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dealmakers toast best start to the year since 2007 M&A boom: Dealmakers around the world started the year with a bang after more than $902 billion (£610 billion) of mergers and acquisitions were announced in the first quarter the highest three-month total since the pre-crash boom in 2007.
Quindell admits it misled investors over profitability of business it is selling in £637 million deal: Quindell the troubled Aim-listed company has admitted it misled shareholders as to the profitability of the business it is selling to Australia’s Slater & Gordon for £637 million.
Israel applies to become founding member of China development bank: The Israeli government has submitted its application to become a founding member of a controversial Chinese-led development bank in a move that is likely to cause consternation in Washington.
British manufacturing grows at fastest rate in eight months: Britain’s factories expanded at their fastest rate in eight months driven by a rise in new business and weak inflation.
U.S. hedge fund Elliott ups voting stake in : U.S. hedge fund Elliott Advisors has increased its voting rights in as it continues its war against the Dundee-based company.
U.S. suffers industrial slowdown as oil price shock bites: United States manufacturing growth slowed to its weakest pace since May 2013 last month adding to fears that the economy’s struggles are down to more than just a patch of bad weather.
Enterprise drives off with City Car Club: City Car Club the U.K.’s biggest independent car sharing company has been snapped up by Enterprise Rent-A-Car the world’s biggest car hire business.
Scotch export sales dry up as U.S. loses its appetite: Sales of Scotch whisky one of the nation’s bestselling exports have fallen 7% to £3.95 billion in 2014 according to new figures.
raises £50 million for Africa expansion: Budget airline has tapped investors for £50 million as it prepares to expand its low-cost model across Africa.
Challenger bank Shawbrook fetches £725 million valuation on IPO: Shares in Shawbrook the challenger bank have lifted in its first day of trading and what is widely believed to be the last stock market flotation until after the election.
The Guardian
Living standards key to U.K. election as data shows slowest recovery since 1920s: Living standards have been thrust to the centre of the general election campaign as official figures showed Britain is undergoing the slowest recovery since the 1920s and GDP per head still remains lower than levels before the recession.
Executive pay falling in real terms report shows: Executive pay is falling in real terms with just under half of Chief Executives receiving no rise in their salaries this year according to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Direct Assist goes into liquidation after being fined £80000 for nuisance calls: A Bolton-based personal injuries claims management company has gone into liquidation after being fined £80000 by a government watchdog for plaguing householders with nuisance calls.
Vatican bank agrees landmark tax treaty with Italian regulators: The Vatican bank has been shrouded in mystery for decades but a tax treaty agreed on Wednesday between the Holy See and Italy is a sign of changing times at an institution that is trying to shed its image as a haven for money laundering and tax avoidance.
concedes failings over CEO Helge Lund’s £25 million pay deal: The board has admitted it “did not strike the correct balance” on pay when it offered a £25 million package to lure the Norwegian oil Boss Helge Lund to the company as Chief Executive.
Daily Mail
Major blow for Carphone Warehouse as says it won’t stock highly anticipated watch in High Street retailer’s branches: has said it will not stock its highly anticipated watch in Carphone Warehouse branches in a major blow to the High Street retailer.
Quindell left red-faced as shares cease trading for hours after £14 million blunder: Quindell has been embarrassed after a basic error by a hapless bean-counter caused the company’s shares to be suspended from trading for hours.
Strong demand for British buses and trains helps shrug off U.S. woes: Demand for ’s British buses and trains helped the transport giant to offset a tougher time in the U.S.
Online fashion chain Asos bullish as half year profits fall 10%: Online fashion chain Asos took drastic action to boost trading by cutting prices causing its half year profits to fall 10%.
Daily Express
Sun shines on travel firm Thomas Cook: Forecast is good as Britons book holidays: Thomas Cook has forecast a better outlook as more Britons book up their summer holidays and demand picks up across Europe.
PizzaExpress to open 100 restaurants: 2500 jobs to share pie: PizzaExpress will open 100 restaurants in the U.K. over five years creating 2500 jobs.
Pinewood Studios puts superhero skills into growth: Pinewood has announced a £30 million fundraising and agreed new bank facilities of up to £135 million as it seeks to double capacity at its studios in Buckinghamshire.
The Scottish Herald
Clothing and handbag firm Ness on major expansion drive: Ness the Scottish designer and retailer of womenswear and handbags has attracted £2.5 million of development capital as it seeks to more than treble annual turnover to in excess of £15 million within five years.
Shares surge as recovery on track: Nearly £75 million has been added to the stock market worth of after the Scottish company revealed significant progress in improving the financial performance of its U.K. bus and North American school transport divisions.
Renewable energy work boosts Aberdeenshire subsea engineering firm: Ecosse Subsea Systems has said oil and gas business has slowed following the fall in the price of crude but work in the renewables sector has been compensating.
’s exploration potential flagged by analysts: is best placed among stock market- listed European oil and gas firms to deliver success through exploration as budgets come under pressure following the slump in the crude price analysts have said.
Pay boost for SpaceandPeople Boss: The Chief Executive of SpaceandPeople the shopping centre marketing specialist has seen his annual pay rise to £169220 up from £145044 in 2013.
Surge in profits at Fraserburgh-based fish processor amid challenging conditions: Whitelink Seafoods the fish processor has recorded a near 50% increase in profits following strong growth in sales.
McFall: it will take a generation to restore trust in banks: Lord John McFall the peer who led the parliamentary probe into banks and regulators following the financial crash of 2008 has warned it will take a generation before trust is restored in the U.K.’s major banks.
The Scotsman
Weak productivity casts shadow over manufacturing upturn: Manufacturing grew at its sharpest pace in eight months in March figures showed but separate data flagging a decline in U.K. productivity could raise fresh concerns about the sustainability of the wider recovery.
Iomart growth fuels talk of interest from suitors: Technology group Iomart said it was reaping the benefit of growing adoption of cloud computing services by business and organisations.
Ecosse changes focus to renewables: An Aberdeenshire subsea specialist is offsetting the downturn in the oil and gas sector through diversification into renewables.
Green bank half way to £1 billion offshore wind target: The Green Investment Bank (GIB) said it had raised almost half the £1 billion it is targeting for the world’s first dedicated offshore wind fund to invest in projects off the U.K.’s coasts.
City A.M.
Toyota sales in China are hit by rivals’ discounts: Discounting by competitors has hit Toyota’s first quarter sales in China the world’s largest car maker announced.
Sanne shares rise 10% on its first day of public trading: Shares in corporate administration provider Sanne Group surged on their debut opening at 221p per share a 10% premium on its listing price.
Eurozone factories see growth but rebound lacks momentum: Manufacturing sector growth in the Eurozone reached a 10-month high in March adding to evidence that the economy is recovering from a slowdown late last year.