Investors pulled plug on EDF bid for British Energy

EDF's £12bn plan to buy British Energy Group lay in ruins yesterday after the nuclear generator's board rejected the French utility's latest offer.

Inflation pressures mounting, says CIPS

The UK manufacturing sector contracted at its fastest pace since December 1998 in July but factory-gate prices surged at the strongest rate since comparable records began in 1999, a closely-watched survey revealed yesterday.

BA bemoans ‘the worst trading conditions ever’

The airline industry was shrouded in more gloom yesterday after British Airways reported its profit crash-dived in the first quarter as high oil prices, an economic slowdown and deteriorating consumer confidence combined in what the airline called "the worst trading conditions ever".

Cloburn profiting from pre-crunch demand

Profits at the Cloburn Quarry building products operation surged to a five-year high of £5.4m in the latest year, allowing owner Robert Durward to increase donations to the right-wing New Party by more than 50% .

FSA finds ‘no evidence’ of HBOS shares manipulation

The Financial Services Authority backed away yesterday from its attack on market manipulation when it said it had "not uncovered evidence" of a concerted effort to depress shares in HBOS on March 19.

Ray of hope for homeowners as mortgage outlook improves

Falling mortgage rates and the launch of a new lending venture brought a glimmer of hope to hard-pressed borrowers this week.

Alliance & Leicester puts on brave face

The precarious financial state of Alliance & Leicester that led to it submitting to a cut-price takeover by Spain's Santander was revealed in financial results yesterday showing an almost complete wipe-out of its profits.

Liquidations on rise among Scottish firms

The gathering economic storm is beginning to take its toll on Scottish businesses, according to the latest figures for corporate insolvencies.

Tiny screen maker MED forced to go up for sale

The for-sale sign has gone up at Microemissive Displays less than four years after its flotation, as continued poor sales forced the company to undergo a strategic review.

A case of bargain basement humour

Oh, the laughs they must have at Cordatus Partners, the young Edinburgh-based property investment boutique staffed by defectors from Scottish Widows.

	Shares in HBOS surge despite 72% fall in profit
	HBOS shares surged 7.1% yesterday despite a 72% fall in profits and a warning by the bank that it would continue to hold back on lending

NAB head out of a job after losses announced

John Stewart, the Scottish head of Clydesdale Bank parent company National Australia Bank, is to be replaced, the company announced yesterday

Announcement due on French purchase of British Energy

EDF, the French state-controlled utility, is expected to announce today it is buying Scottish-based nuclear power generator British Energy

Rates hold likely as house prices tumble

Economists are unanimous in their belief that the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee will resist any temptation to raise UK base rates

	Shell makes £5.8bn net in second quarter
	Royal Dutch Shell said yesterday that second-quarter net income gushed 33% higher to a record $11.6bn (£5.8bn)

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