Markets
London - Bumper profits from BP and Shell gave the energy sector a boost yesterday, but failed to provide direction for the wider London market. The blue-chip oil giants dominated the riser’s board on the FTSE 100 Index as they announced combined profits of more than £7bn in the first three months of the year alone. A downbeat opening on Wall Street offset much of the cheer in London, leaving the Footsie down one point to close at 6089.4.

Posted: April 30th, 2008 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - News of the multi-billion Mars/Wrigley deal and better-than-expected results from Whitbread helped consumer stocks make strong advances on the London market today. Analysts said a $23bn (around £11.6bn) takeover offer from Mars for chewing gum giant Wrigley could spark off a wave of consolidation in the industry, propelling Cadbury Schweppes shares to the top of the risers board. Whitbread had already provided some welcome cheer for the consumer sector with its upbeat annual results, although the wider FTSE 100 Index failed to hold on to gains, closing down one point at 6090.4.

Posted: April 29th, 2008 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The London market finished the week on the front foot yesterday after a recovery from transport and banking shares offset disappointing UK growth figures. Early gains on Wall Street kept the mood buoyant in London despite data showing UK economic growth of 0.4% in the first quarter of 2008 - the slowest for three years. The Footsie closed 40.7 ahead at 6091.4

Posted: April 28th, 2008 under Asset Management.
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A franchise is basically a trade mark licence, with the trade mark owner retaining control over how the franchisee’s business is run, giving assistance to the franchisee, and taking payments from the franchisee. To the outside world, the franchisee is the franchisor. Therefore, it is vital to the franchisor that he does have [...]

Posted: April 25th, 2008 under Business Advisory Services.
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It is not always clear when a consultant is self-employed, rather than having employment status.  The ‘label’ the parties apply is not determinative and it is necessary to look at all the circumstances.  Until recently the tax consequences of wrongly treating an employee as self-employed were potentially very significant.  HM Revenue & Customs was compelled [...]

Posted: April 23rd, 2008 under Employment/HR.
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