Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 13 March, 2013
BANKING
RBS cuts Direct Line stake in £500m sale
THE Royal Bank of Scotland yesterday said it planned to sell a stake in insurance group Direct Line which could raise up to £530 million from institutional investors (Scotsman).
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Oil and gas optimism as tax breaks raise investment
TAX changes introduced by the UK government last year to promote investment in the oil and gas sector are “bearing fruit” as the latest survey shows growing confidence in the industry (Scotsman).
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Punch shares slide after bad weather sales hit
SHARES in Punch Taverns slid today after Britain’s second biggest pubs company disclosed that trading in its second trading quarter had been hit by the bad weather in January (Scotsman).
INDUSTRY
Ogilvie blast SFT’s public sector project ‘failure’
CONSTRUCTION firm Ogilvie Group has accused the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) of failing to deliver “much-needed” public sector projects such as schools and hospitals (Scotsman).
MEDIA & LEISURE
STV bosses could receive bonus if shares rise by 8p
BROADCASTER STV is seeking investor approval for an executive bonus scheme that will start to pay out if its shares rise by just 8p over the next three years (Herald).
RETAIL
Scottish retailers report ‘cautious optimism’ on sales
The latest sales figures from Scotland’s shops have indicated that February saw a third consecutive month of growth (BBC).
SCOTSMAN CONFERENCE
The Economics of Independence 2013
This conference tackles the crucial issues facing business and industry in the Scottish
independence debate. Join expert speakers Alistair Darling MP, Jim McColl (Clyde Blowers) and Rupert Soames (Aggreko). Book your place today.
(http://www.scotsmanconferences.com|The Scotsman Conferences|SC})