Latest news with #BCM
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welsh business confidence up but still in negative zone
The increase was identified in a survey of business leaders, although this still remains in the negative zone. ICAEW's Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) for Wales, published on July 24, put confidence at -3.7 on the index for Q2 2025, an improvement from -17.6 in the previous quarter. However, this reading was still below the historic average for the country. ICAEW pointed out that confidence remains fragile due to weak domestic and export sales growth. Manufacturing, engineering, retail, and wholesale in Wales reported some of the UK's lowest confidence levels. The institute added that uncertainty around the outcome of next year's Senedd elections could be a contributing factor, although the UK-US trade deal has likely provided a boost, particularly for exporters. Both domestic sales and exports grew at a lower rate in Q2 than their respective historic averages, according to the BCM. Welsh businesses forecast improvement in both domestic sales and exports growth within the year ahead. The tax burden remained the most prominent challenge for Welsh businesses following April's rise in employer's National Insurance Contributions, with more than half of the nation's companies citing it as a growing source of difficulty. Customer demand and marketplace competition were also cited as challenges. Minimal employment growth in the year to Q2 2025 reflects the increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage in April, as well as the performance of key sectors. Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE, ICAEW director for Wales, said: "It's heartening to see that sentiment has increased and is now broadly on par with the UK average. "Nevertheless, our companies are underperforming across most of the key metrics, suggesting we are not out of the woods yet." Nationally, business confidence declined quarter on quarter to -4.2 in Q2 2025.
Herald Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Brazilian Critical Minerals takes key Ema REE step with BFS lead appointed
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Special Report : Brazilian Critical Minerals has selected newly formed Altris Engineering as lead engineer for the Ema project bankable feasibility study, which is anticipated to take about six to nine months to complete. BCM appoints Altris Engineering as lead engineer for Ema BFS Altris will deliver the process plant and non-process infrastructure components The BFS will take 6-9 months to complete The Altris team – formerly of Primero Group - comprises highly qualified study and project managers, engineers and designers across key disciplines such as process, mechanical, piping, civil/structural and instrumentation. Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) is confident that the lead consultant appointment, alongside ANSTO and WSP, brings together a highly experienced group of specialists ready to advance the Ema project in Brazil through detailed feasibility studies ahead of project financing discussions. Altris will deliver the process plant and non-process infrastructure components of the BFS as well as coordinate the overall compilation and delivery of the final DFS report. The bankable study doesn't usually differ in project parameters from the DFS and both include a stack of detail on what terms financiers should provide to make the project sing. Altris has delivered multiple scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and has led EPC and EPCM project execution for battery and critical minerals projects across multiple global jurisdictions. With strong experience in project delivery, it is recognised for producing fit-for-purpose designs that minimise capital expenditure while maintaining high standards of operability and safety. ANSTO has globally recognised expertise in the processing of critical and strategic metals including rare earths and was instrumental in the delivery of the metallurgical assessment during the Ema scoping study phase. WSP brings in-house expertise in the design, implementation and optimisation of in-situ recovery (ISR) mining projects across a range of commodities and global jurisdictions. Building momentum BCM managing director Andrew Reid said the company was extremely pleased to be partnering with Altris as its lead engineer. 'The Ema Project is the only rare earths in-situ recovery (ISR) development of its kind in the Western world, with a capital cost of just US$55 million – positioning it as potentially the lowest-cost, near-term source of rare earth feedstock under current market conditions,' he said. 'We look forward to building on the momentum of the past 12 months and continuing to add value through practical, fit-for-purpose engineering that is grounded in sound commercial logic.' What else is happening? BCM has multiple activities planned on the ground over the course of the next few months including geotechnical investigations, Lidar survey capture for accurate field designs, infrastructure powerline study design and road access assessment of upgrades to improve wet season access. This article was developed in collaboration with Brazilian Critical Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Brazilian Critical Minerals takes key Ema REE step with BFS lead appointed
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK business confidence plummets to three-year low
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) for Q2 2025 has revealed a decline in UK business confidence, with the index dropping to -4.2, its weakest reading since Q4 2022. The survey of business leaders found that high tax worries, weakening economic conditions, and growing global volatility have contributed to the decline. Confidence among exporters has dipped into 'negative territory' for the first time since 2022, with a score of -6.1, amid US tariffs and growing geopolitical instability. The tax burden was cited as a growing challenge by 55% of businesses, nearly matching the prior quarter's peak of 56%. ICAEW members are concerned about the rise in employers' national insurance and potential further tax rises in the Autumn Budget. Expectations for domestic and export sales growth have declined to five-year lows, with domestic sales growth expected at 4.1% and export sales growth at 3.5%. To prevent the decline in confidence from becoming terminal, ICAEW has urged the Chancellor to spare businesses from additional tax hikes in the Autumn Budget. Employment growth expectations for the year ahead fell to their 'lowest level' for almost five years, decreasing to 1.3%. Salary growth has eased to 3% year-on-year, and businesses expect wage growth in the next 12 months to be 2.4%. Selling price inflation is expected to ease, with businesses expecting price growth over the next 12 months to be 2%. ICAEW chief executive Alan Vallance said: 'This negative confidence reading is another stark reminder of the perilous situation facing businesses as they continue to grapple with major tax worries at home and an increasingly bleak global picture. A cocktail of costs, including the national insurance rise and global instability, has made life especially difficult for businesses across the country, particularly exporters.' 'Businesses are the cornerstone of growth, but without an environment that allows them to thrive, further pain is inevitable. Unless the Chancellor spares business from additional tax hikes in the Autumn Budget, economic prosperity will remain a pipe dream. 'As we move into the season of Budget speculation, it's imperative that the government learns from the past year. Constant rumours will only serve to destabilise businesses, so we urge the government to be honest about their plans, to give companies the opportunity to plan ahead and weather the storm.' A recent report from ICAEW also suggested that private equity investment is increasingly influencing the UK accountancy profession. "UK business confidence plummets to three-year low – ICAEW " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The Australian
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Australian
Long Shortz: Brazilian Critical Minerals
Tylah Tully chats with Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) managing director Andrew Reid following promising ISR field trial results at the Ema project, a key step toward commercialisation and de-risking. The results confirm strong percolation with minimal solution loss, reinforcing the viability of ISR as a low-impact rare earth extraction method. With the company's latest $4 million oversubscribed placement, BCM is well placed to advance the Ema project through to its Bankable Feasibility Study. Watch the video to learn more. This video was developed in collaboration with Brazilian Critical Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. The interviews and discussions in this video are opinions only and not financial or investment advice. Viewers should obtain independent advice based on their own circumstances before making any financial decisions.
Filipino Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Tess Lazaro takes oath as DFA Secretary
Tess Lazaro has officially taken her oath as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang. Lazaro previously served as Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, a role that placed her at the center of regional diplomacy. She headed the Philippine delegation to the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea, a pivotal venue in addressing maritime disputes with China. During her tenure, the Philippines and China reached a 'provisional understanding' on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), a flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea where the grounded BRP Sierra Madre has been used as a military outpost since 1999. The new Foreign Affairs chief also served as the Philippines' ambassador to Switzerland, France, and Monaco, and as Consul General in Sydney and Madrid. Lazaro succeeds Enrique Manalo, who was reappointed as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
