News in brief: Record revenue at accountant KPMG, Games speed up National Express, Modest rebound for manufacturers

Big Four accountant KPMG announced record $23 billion (£14.3 billion) revenue across its international operations today. However, growth slowed down significantly in the second half of the year, 2.1% against 6.4% for the first six months, as the global slowdown intensified.

The huge takings at KPMG come as regulators in the UK and Europe investigate whether reform is necessary to loosen the Big Four’s grip on the audit market.

Games speed up National Express

A strong Olympics and Paralympics helped offset the loss of Government subsidies as National Express today said it saw revenue growth pick up in its UK coach and bus business. The firm, which ran coaches to the Games from 30 locations, said the division’s passenger revenues rose 2% in the year to date, against the 1% seen in the first nine months. It is on track to hit full-year expectations.

Modest rebound for manufacturers

Britain’s manufacturers are braced for a flat start to 2013, the CBI’s latest industrial trends survey shows. Firms reported growing order books for the third month in a row and a slight rebound in export orders, but remain hesitant. CBI head of economic analysis Anna Leach said: “Conditions in the sector and the wider economy are likely to remain fragile until global conditions improve over the course of 2013.”