Scottish Business Briefing - Monday 18 July, 2011

Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.

ECONOMY

Deposits show top Scots firms regaining confidence

Scotland's largest companies - those turning over more than 15 million - are showing greater signs of confidence in the medium to long term, according to an upbeat survey from Lloyds Banking Group's corporate markets division. (Scotsman)

Scottish jobs market growth slows

Growth in Scotland's jobs market eased last month, providing further evidence that the economy has slowed in the second quarter, the Bank of Scotland's latest report on jobs reveals. (Scotsman)

FSB calls for targeted VAT cuts to boost UK economy

Targeted VAT cuts are needed to boost growth in key sectors of the economy, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said. (BBC)

Skivers cost nation 32bn - but bosses partly responsible

More than half of Scottish workers have admitted to taking at least one sick day in the past year because they are so disillusioned with their job. (Scotsman)

Read all today's economics news from scotsman.com

INDUSTRY

ERI makes 16m profit for Consort Healthcare

EDINBURGH Royal Infirmary (ERI) provided its private backers with more than 10 million in dividends last year, accounts published yesterday show. (Scotsman)

TECHNOLOGY

Philips reports 1.3bn euros quarterly loss

Electronics giant Philips has revealed a 1.3bn euros ($1.83bn; 1.13bn) quarterly net loss, and has said it will cut costs by 500m euros. It put the loss down to slower-than-expected economic recovery. A year ago it made a net profit of 262m euros. (BBC)