The Edge

Richard Northedge takes on corporate finance

Archive for the ‘recession’ category

Companies should be allowed to vote on Crossrail

No taxation without representation” was the cry of colonial entrepreneurs in 18th century America before the revolution. But in 21st century Britain, business still sees its coffers raided without being given chance to vote.
(more…)


Sssh, don’t mention the green shoots

Here is the good news. There is some good news. It is a rash politician who mentions green shoots until they have become sturdy plants, but there are signs of economic improvement.
(more…)


Penalising the fat years could make all years lean

The pensions industry has joined the financial regulator in using hindsight to say we should have stored away more during the boom years. The snag is, that’s the time when there seems least need to do it.
(more…)


Dividend cuts: last resort not a first thought

Once companies did anything to avoid cutting dividends. In 2009 it is the most fashionable thing to do but directors should be careful they do not become fashion victims.
(more…)


Savers need higher rates, not a tax-break

The chancellor’s hints of helping savers by waiving income tax is pointless. Receiving 100 per cent of next to nothing is still next to nothing.
(more…)


Wild-cat strikes today. Riots tomorrow?

The industrial dispute over employing Italian workers at Total’s Lincolnshire oil refinery has already provoked sympathy strikes among other trade unionists. The worry should be that it will be a catalyst for a new bout of violence on the streets.
(more…)


Despite the cuts, we were right to sell our industry abroad

Now that recession is here, should Britain regret letting foreigners buy so much of its industrial heritage in the boom years of this decade?
(more…)


Recessions end sooner than they start

It’s taken long enough to confirm that we’re in recession, but good news - it won’t take so long to say we’re out of it.
(more…)


Reports of corporate death are self-fulfilling

If you say loud enough that a company is going bust it very likely will. Should commentators thus show restraint?
(more…)


Help car buyers, not car makers

What’s the point of giving taxpayers’ money to car manufacturers so they can produce more vehicles that won’t be sold? It’s better to give money to customers to buy the cars.

(more…)