What the other papers say this morning – 19 August 2013
FINANCIAL TIMES
House of Fraser eyes London listing
House of Fraser, the British department store chain, has considered a return to the public markets to help simplify its ownership structure.
The group is mulling a listing in London, although this is being considered alongside other options to allow shareholders to exit the group, said one person with knowledge of the situation. He added that no decision had been made.
CME under fire over cash for trades
The biggest US futures exchange’s campaign to break into North Sea oil has been marked by unusual trading patterns as computerised firms engineer ways to exploit a cash-for-volume scheme, according to market participants.
CME Group has promised a pot of as much as $1m a month to the biggest traders in its upstart Nymex Brent crude futures contract, a June filing shows, as it attempts to wrest market share from ICE Futures Europe, the exchange that launched Brent in 1988
Superfast internet for air travellers
Air passengers will be able to surf the internet at superfast speeds when travelling in the UK under plans being scrutinised by Ofcom, the communications watchdog. Airline operators could offer customers access to the internet using improved satellite-based technology at speeds up to 10 times faster than the usually slow connections currently available.
THE TIMES
John Lewis launches a pet project
After the “grey pound”, the “pink pound” and the “green pound” comes the “hound pound”, as John Lewis launches its first collection of bedding, toys, gifts and accessories for cats and dogs.
Hospitals group eases debt burden
The biggest private healthcare provider in Britain has struck a deal to restructure a portion of the debt it took on in a buyout at the height of the private equity boom. The General Healthcare Group, which trades as BMI Hospitals, has renegotiated the borrowings of its operating company with creditors.
The Daily Telegraph
Loudspeaker firm plans 3D printing
Loudspeaker maker Bowers & Wilkins is investing in 3D printing technology. This will allow the £135m turnover company to run off spare parts quickly for its service arm, as well as providing an outlet for prototypes of new products.
Royal Mail staff discontent with bosses
The low morale of the Royal Mail workforce has been laid bare by an internal report which reveals just 28 per cent of the staff have confidence in the decisions of the senior management team led by chief executive Moya Greene. The results are detailed in Royal Mail’s annual employee feedback survey.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
EUROPE
Cathay names new chief executive
Cathay Pacific Airways has named Hong Kong native Ivan Chu to head the airline for the second time in its history, as one of Asia’s leading carriers grapples with weaker earnings and increased competition.
Alibaba mulls Hong Kong listing
Alibaba is in talks with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to come up with an ownership structure that would allow the Chinese e-commerce company to list its shares while enabling founder Jack Ma and his management team to maintain control.