The attack of the ECB hawks: how uncertainty has changed tactics February 22, 2011 HAWKISHNESS is not new at the European Central Bank (ECB), but this week its most notorious birds of prey have been flapping their beaks. This has got foreign exchange traders rather excited, and stabilised the euro against the dollar at a time when the upheaval in the Middle East should have had them flooding in [...]
Apple opens doors to laptop app shop January 6, 2011 WHILE most of the electronics world’s eyes were turned towards the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Apple – which refuses to exhibit at the event – quietly opened the doors to the laptop version of its app Store. Around 1,000 apps were immediately available for download on its Mac range, with millions more set [...]
Stelios sends easyJet threats July 20, 2010 EasyJet owner Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou yesterday threatened to remove the budget airline’s “easy” brand if it didn’t improve its punctuality. In a letter sent to the airline’s lawyers, Herbert Smith, Stelios set a 17 October deadline for easyJet to improve its performance, claiming it was “completely unacceptable and contrary to the brand values upon which [...]
Birds Eye and Findus in battle for Unilever arm July 4, 2010 FISH finger maker Birds Eye Iglo is set to go head to head with crispy pancake makers Findus Group in the final round of bidding for Unilever’s Italian frozen food arm. The Italian division was put on sale earlier this year, and final bids are due tomorrow. The final competition is thought to be between [...]
Birds Eye and Findus in battle for Unilever arm July 4, 2010 FISH finger maker Birds Eye Iglo is set to go head to head with crispy pancake makers Findus Group in the final round of bidding for Unilever’s Italian frozen food arm. The Italian division was put on sale earlier this year, and final bids are due tomorrow. The final competition is thought to be between [...]
Analysts warn over easyJet dispute July 21, 2010 ANALYSTS have warned that the bitter dispute between easyJet owner Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the budget airline could “undermine the value of the company’s shares”. A note issued by stockbroking group Numis yesterday said that the ongoing argument over the use of the “easy” brand makes it “difficult to see marginal new investors being enticed [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND January 6, 2011 FILM SEASON OF THE WITCH Nicolas Cage goes witch hunting in this dark medieval hokum. IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY It kind of is – a tale of teenage depression and redemption – but only a bit. ABEL A quirky, enjoyable comedy directed by Mexican actor Diego Luna. DVD SOULBOY Drama set amid the [...]
IT’S HAPPY FAMILIES AS LIZ GOES IN-HOUSE February 21, 2011 BEFORE heading out to lunch yesterday, Elisabeth Murdoch, or “Liz”, fired off a quick, “confidential” email to her several hundred employees at Shine Group, the media group snapped up by News Corp. Luckily, it was quickly forwarded on to The Capitalist. “I did want to take a minute to thank you all for your patience while [...]
CHALLENGE FOR CITY FIRMS TO GO OFF ROAD February 14, 2011 FOR frustrated finance workers who fancy themselves as a bit of a Bear Grylls-type come the weekend, CARE International’s Finance Adventure Challenge might be just the opportunity to show your colleagues what you’re made of. City A.M. is supporting the Challenge this summer, giving City professionals a chance to ditch the suits and prove their [...]
CHALLENGE FOR CITY FIRMS TO GO OFF ROAD February 14, 2011 FOR frustrated finance workers who fancy themselves as a bit of a Bear Grylls-type come the weekend, CARE International’s Finance Adventure Challenge might be just the opportunity to show your colleagues what you’re made of. City A.M. is supporting the Challenge this summer, giving City professionals a chance to ditch the suits and prove their [...]