Business news in Wales

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Balfour Beatty bucks the industry gloom

THE UK’s biggest construction firm Balfour Beatty bucked the industry gloom after telling investors yesterday that trading would remain “strong” this year. Read

Watercress firm’s £50m bonanza

HAMPSHIRE farmer Malcolm Isaac is celebrating a windfall after selling his watercress business to a Portuguese company in a deal worth around £50m, it emerged yesterday. Read

Construction sector declines at fastest rate in 11 years

CONSTRUCTION activity slowed at its fastest rate for at least 11 years last month as the sector was hit by a sharp slump in housebuilding, a survey revealed yesterday. Read

Predicted unemployment rise by 100k

THE UK faces a 100,000 rise in unemployment over the coming two years, according to projections from a respected international economic body. Read

Firm offers efficiency solutions to cut costs, not staff

CARDIFF headquartered professional services firm Innovation is experiencing strong client growth just over a year after its launch. Read

Small firms pass on fuel cost increase to customers

SMALL businesses in Wales are passing on increased fuel costs to their customers, research has revealed. Read

Finsbury warns of tough 12 months

PREMIUM cake and bakery products manufacturer Finsbury Food has warned that its sector faces a tough 18 months of trading ahead. Read

Housing values could fall more than feared

HOMES in Wales have now lost 5.7% of their value in the year to June as house prices fell for the eighth month in a row, new figures have shown. Read

Taylor Wimpey cuts 900 jobs

EMBATTLED housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has confirmed it is axing 900 jobs to help cope with a "significant downturn" in business. Read

M&S profit warning shocks City

RETAIL giant Marks & Spencer has shook the City as a surprise profit warning sent shares tumbling. Read

Italian firm brings new jobs to Wales

AN Italian food packaging company which invested more than £30m in establishing a facility in Blackwood five years ago is expanding its operations and creating another 55 new jobs. Read

Slump in deals points to credit crunch stalemate

THE value of private equity deals in the £100m-£500m mid-market sector declined in the first half of this year to the lowest level since 2004. Read

Chinese company sees the light over quality of Enfis technology

SWANSEA technology company Enfis has secured a lucrative £1m plus contract with a Chinese venture which will see its lighting technology used in medical operating theatres. Read

Wave of recruits for plumbing as the economy continues to leak

THE CREDIT crunch has led to a rush of people wanting to become plumbers, according to Europe’s largest plumber training centre. Read

$20m backing lights way for G24i’s growth

CARDIFF-based G24 Innovations (G24i), which is pioneering solar powered technology solutions, has received a $20m (US) investment boost. Read

Owners fail to see their exit options

A LACK of understanding of available corporate finance options is posing a significant barrier to business owners looking to sell, according to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Read