Scottish Business Briefing - Thursday 26 April, 2012
ECONOMICS
Scotland plc could escape the dreaded double-dip
SCOTTISH business figures insisted last night that the country’s economic recovery was still alive despite the shock news that the UK had fallen back into recession for the first time since the financial crash of 2009 (Scotsman).
Record numbers of Scottish firms are going bust
Scottish companies are continuing to go bust in record numbers, according to official statistics published yesterday, as a “never-ending period of recession” takes its toll on the private sector (Scotsman).
BANKING
Barclays sees ‘encouraging’ start to year
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Hide AdUK bank Barclays has said it has made an “encouraging” start to the year as it reported its first-quarter results (BBC).
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Best is yet to come from North Sea oil says Salmond
First Minister Alex Salmond asserted yesterday that “the best is yet to come” on the value of the North Sea oil industry to an independent Scotland, claiming it would bolster its credit rating in financial markets (Scotsman).
Shell profits rise on strong oil price
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has reported a rise in profits thanks in part to strong demand for energy which is keeping oil prices high (BBC).
Energy Assets reveals buoyant start to the year
THE gas meter specialist that recently became the first Scottish business to float on the main market of the London Stock Exchange since 2007 said it has made a good to the current financial year (Herald).