Efforts to kick start economy attacked by Bovis

David Ritchie, the chief executive of housebuilding giant Bovis Homes, yesterday joined the growing chorus of dissenters who are losing faith in the government's efforts to kick start the economy.

Scottish Mortgage NAV tumbles 19%

Once top performing Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust has lost almost a fifth of its value in just three months after manager James Anderson's highly-concentrated, leveraged stance left him exposed in the post-Lehman Brothers sell-off.

At BCC size is everything, but the point is not to arrive too soon

Business Diary: Economic commentators and lobby groups have developed a habit of sending off suspiciously lucid and accurate comment to journalists just seconds after the Bank of England announces its interest rate decisions.

Boxing clever with sales brings pay-off for retailers

The gloomy mood on the British high street was lightened by unexpectedly strong figures from high street retailers Jessops and JD Sports, while home shopping operator Shop Direct also put in a creditable performance.

Savers warned to be prudent in search to find best rates

Frustrated savers are being drawn to more varied investments to try to protect their capital and income.

Nuts not to watch your pennies in year of the squirrel

It may be the year of the ox, but for most of us financially it is the year of the squirrel, and I have made an urgent start to my personal finance surfing year. I have switched some savings, changed my gas supplier, and saved a bundle on train tickets.

Upmarket estate agent views buying opportunity

John Kelly, managing partner of upmarket estate agent Corum, yesterday predicted that the Scottish property downturn had "either hit bottom or is pretty close to it".

Royal Bank of Scotland passes on 0.25% rate cut

Royal Bank of Scotland today announced it was passing on 0.25% of yesterday's interest rate cut to its variable rate borrowers.

Dramatic action looms as rates fall

Business flagged a growing prospect of direct action to boost money supply, and one economist declared "you can almost hear the printing presses being cranked up", as deepening recession triggered a half-point cut in UK base rates.

Sportswear chain JD Sports Fashion bucks sales trend

Sportswear chain JD Sports Fashion bucked the Christmas retail gloom today with a bullish forecast of better-than-expected profits this year.

HBOS pension trustees call off legal challenge to takeover

The trustees of the HBOS pension scheme have called off their legal challenge to the impending takeover by Lloyds TSB in the Court of Session next Monday.

	Christmas kind to Sainsbury and Asda
	Britain's third-largest supermarket, J Sainsbury, appears to be one of the winners of the Christmas grocery battle after attracting shoppers to its own-brand products.

Travel firm benefits from home demand

Fears of a recession may be working wonders on demand for the traditional British coach holiday judging by developments at one of Scotland's leading travel firms.

Weir relishes challenges as profit forecast is increased

Weir Group, Scotland’s largest engineering company, yesterday raised its pre-tax profit forecast for 2008 after a solid performance in the final quarter of last year and the positive impact of the weak pound against the dollar.

House of Fraser posts rise in profits

House of Fraser, the department store part-owned by Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, has claimed a rise in Christmas profits and says its debt is under control.

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