WELCOME to scotsman.com’s Scottish Business Briefing. Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.
BANKING
String of new contract wins helps PwC to increase both revenues and growth
Revenues at accounting giant PwC accelerated last year as the firm picked up work on a range of high-profile mergers and acquisitions and won new audit contracts, though the profits paid to each partner fell by 4 per cent. ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/banking/string-of-new-contract-wins-helps-pwc-to-increase-both-revenues-and-growth-1-2530326|Scotsman|Link to article})
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/banking|Read all today’s banking news from scotsman.com|Link to banking news}
ECONOMICS
Mixed jobs news, but BoS says Scotland is showing ‘resilience’
Scotland’s economy is displaying “resilience” in the face of the global slowdown despite fresh downbeat news on the employment front. ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/economics/mixed-jobs-news-but-bos-says-scotland-is-showing-resilience-1-2530316|Scotsman|Link to article})
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/economics|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com|Link to economics news}
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Oil price near four-month high after Fed move
Oil prices rose for the eighth session in a row, with Brent crude trading near a four-month high, boosted by the Federal Reserve’s move last week to stimulate the US economy. ({http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19620962|BBC|Link to article})
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/energy-and-utilities|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com|Link to energy & utilities news}
INDUSTRY
Silver outshining gold over decade
Silver has revealed to be the best-performing commodity over the past decade. ({http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2933047|Aberdeen P&J|Link to article})
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/industry|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com|Link to industry news}
RETAIL
Glasgow wholesale firm Sher Brothers sees turnover drop hit profits
Sher Brothers, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, has dipped into the red following a 7 per cent drop in turnover, which it blamed on a downturn in hardware sales. ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/glasgow-wholesale-firm-sher-brothers-sees-turnover-drop-hit-profits-1-2530329|Scotsman|Link to article})
Sports Direct may swoop for JJB, but hundreds of jobs still at risk
Struggling retailer JJB Sports looks set to be snapped up by rival Sports Direct International, although fears have been raised that a deal might see at least half of its stores closed and hundreds of jobs put at risk. ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/sports-direct-may-swoop-for-jjb-but-hundreds-of-jobs-still-at-risk-1-2530324|Scotsman|Link to article})
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail|Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com|Link to retail news}