Banks shrug off McDonald’s and Apple worries June 8, 2009 US stocks rebounded late yesterday to end flat, shrugging off lighter-than-expected sales from McDonald’s and lowered iPhone prices from Apple. The three major US stock indexes had fallen more than 1 per cent before rallying in the last hour of trading, led by bank shares. Analysts pointed to the S&P 500’s recent piercing of its [...]
McDonald’s in coffee expansion May 26, 2009 Fast food major McDonald’s yesterday unveiled ambitious plans to usurp Starbucks as Europe’s biggest coffee chain, and said it would open several hundred McCafé stores selling cakes and coffees this year. Although Starbucks has been putting the brakes on its expansion in Europe, McDonald’s hopes to increase the number of McCafé stores in Europe to [...]
Software firm SAP sees higher 2010 sales and profits amid tough market January 27, 2010 GERMAN software maker SAP yesterday said it expects to increase core sales and operating margins in 2010 but cautioned that market conditions are still tough because companies remain wary about investing. “What we see is that the markets are still cautious … but what we see in 2010 is it’s going to be a very [...]
How London fell for American cuisine January 27, 2010 FIVE years ago, McDonalds was the best-known export of US cuisine in London. Yes, there have been other venues dedicated to that fine nation’s culinary tradition, such as Joe Allen and the Chicago Rib Shack, which have both been around since the 1970s. But mostly it’s been burgers and bad steaks, confined to slightly grotty [...]
Rovers’ first away points perfect gift to Allardyce November 22, 2009 BLACKBURN gave their unwell manager Sam Allardyce the perfect tonic by beating his former club Bolton. Midfielder David Dunn curled the opener and the three points were sealed when Samuel Ricketts headed an own goal from 20 yards out. The result ensured the visitors picked up their first points away from home and assistant manager [...]
Strong IBM result boosts tech shares January 19, 2010 US stocks rose broadly yesterday, lifting the Dow and the S&P 500 to fresh 15-month closing highs as investors bet a potential Republican victory in Massachusetts’ Senate race could stall Obama’s reform agenda. Wall Street also got a boost from technology shares, which rallied in anticipation of strong earnings from bellwether International Business Machines, which [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING December 1, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES HIT HAMSTER RANGE LIFTS CHARACTER GROUPToymaker and distributor The Character Group has predicted Christmas shortages of its most popular lines of children’s gifts, including Go Go Pets, based on a range of battery-powered interactive hamsters. John Lewis, the department store chain, has already imposed a limit of one order per customer for the [...]
Starbuck admits McCafe impact November 12, 2009 Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz said yesterday that McDonald’s McCafe launch earlier this year made the cafe chain better. Starbucks executives have repeatedly said that the world’s largest hamburger chain’s entry into the market for espresso-based drinks had no impact on Starbucks.
EX-CITY TRADER TO TURN LOTTERY OF LIFE INTO HIT TELEVISION SHOW October 18, 2009 AVID readers of this column might remember the name of Andrew Paul, the ex-Nomura trader who quit his lucrative job to concentrate on a new venture selling tickets for the chance to win his £1.1m mansion, £160,000 Aston Martin DBS and £200,000 luxury motor boat. Paul is provisionally set to net himself millions from his [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING October 28, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES LOVELLS IN MERGER TALKS TO CREATE LEGAL FIRMLovells, the City law firm, was in talks on last night over a merger with Washington-based Hogan & Hartson aimed at creating a rare successful big transatlantic legal tie-up, said people familiar with the matter. The proposed deal would create a law firm with a strong [...]