PartyGaming revenues slide

Internet gambling firm PartyGaming yesterday blamed the distraction of the Euro 2008 football championships for a recent dip in trade.

Bernanke: Fed needs more regulatory clout

Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, entered the shark-infested waters of Washington regulatory battles yesterday and cautiously suggested that the US central bank be given new powers to oversee financial markets.

John Swan slides into the red as impact of foot-and-mouth bites

The impact of last summer's foot-and-mouth outbreak is continuing to be felt by the livestock sector, as auctioneer John Swan yesterday posted a pre-tax loss of £72,605 for the year.

FTSE tumbles as fall heralds bear market

London's FTSE 100 Index slid into "bear market" territory today as fears continued to mount over the health of the UK economy.

M&S shares surge on takeover rumours

Talk of a possible bid for Marks & Spencer sent shares in the struggling retailer soaring today after its recent steep falls.

	'Menacing' conditions threaten Scottish service companies
	British Chambers of Commerce today highlights “serious risks” of UK recession, as its latest survey reveals a “menacing deterioration” in both the service and manufacturing sectors

Taqa buys North Sea interests

Abu Dhabi National Energy has acquired a range of assets in the North Sea from Shell and ExxonMobil in a move that highlights the growing presence of smaller independents in the region and the determination of the behemoths to cut and run.

Downgrade takes toll on Royal Bank

Shares in Royal Bank of Scotland are now trading at 11% below the price of last month’s rights issue after a bearish note from Cazenove, underscoring its vulnerability to a 1992-style economic slump, sent its stock down again.

Winning of Airbus contracts lifts spirits at Prestwick

Scotland’s advanced aerospace capability and 750 jobs have been safeguarded with two major contract wins for Spirit AeroSystems at Prestwick.

Strong dollar and Hurricane Bertha flatten the price of oil

The price of black gold tumbled by more than $4 yesterday as traders took the view that Hurricane Bertha looked unlikely to hit the Gulf of Mexico, the centre of the all-important US oil refining industry.

BT to lay fibre-optic cable from Orkney to Thurso

BT is laying a fibre-optic submarine cable between Orkney and the Scottish mainland. The 70-kilometre cable will run from Skaill Bay in Orkney, under the Pentland Firth, to Dunnet Bay, about five miles east of Thurso.

Second-half trading helps keep Murgitroyd on the right track

Murgitroyd, the European patent and trademark attorney practice, yesterday confirmed that trading for the second half of the financial year has kept the Scottish Alternative Investment Market-listed business on track to meet market expectations.

Rangers and Hearts recognised at CommunityMark awards

Glasgow Rangers and Heart of Midlothian football clubs are among five smaller Scottish businesses to be recognised in the first CommunityMark awards, developed by Business in the Community.

Omega has the stomach for takeover trail

Clackmannanshire-based Omega Diagnostics has returned to profit thanks to the takeover of a food intolerance specialist and is determined to stay on the acquisition trail despite the market downturn.

Bradford & Bingley shares hit low

Bradford & Bingley shares fell by 16% yesterday to close at a record low of 42p, well below the 55p a share it is seeking in its increased £400m rights issue.

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