Small business economic confidence grows

Confidence among small business continues to improve, according to a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Its regular quarterly survey showed three-fifths of firms expect to grow in the next 12 months.

Energy companies to be at September oil conference in Libya

TRIPOLI, Libya, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Delegates from national and multinational energy companies will address Libyan oil production at a September energy forum in Tripoli, the event organizer said.

RBS prepares succession plan for Hester

Royal Bank of Scotland is grooming Nathan Bostock, the state-backed lender’s restructuring boss, for the top job as part of long-term plans to replace chief executive Stephen Hester.

Sector Snap: Coal companies fall on weak demand

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of coal mining companies tumbled Monday as inventories continued to build with weaker demand in the slowing global economy.

Bankia shares suspended amid bailout request reports

Trading in shares in Spain's Bankia has been suspended in Madrid. It asked for them to be suspended ahead of a board meeting this afternoon to reformulate its accounts for 2011 and submit a plan to shore up its finances.

Online payments firm PayPal expanding in Ireland

DUBLIN: Online payments company PayPal announced on Tuesday it is expanding its operations in jobs-hungry Ireland in a government-sponsored deal praised by Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.

Investors brace for a rocky 2012

Investors face yet another year of uncertainty in 2012, but this time around, they don't appear as willing to wait to see how things will play out.