Rio Tinto chair Du Plessis to join SABMiller August 6, 2014 RIO TINTO’S chairman Jan du Plessis is set to take up the same role at brewing giant SABMiller next year, sparking criticism that he will not have time to fulfil his duties at the helm of both FTSE 100 firms. The mining giant said yesterday that Du Plessis would join the board of SABMiller from [...]
Best of the Brokers for 26 June 2014 June 25, 2014 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com KAZAKHMYS Westhouse Securities has cut Kazakhmys to “add” from “buy”, keeping the target price at 350p. The broker thinks the news of reduced mineral extraction tax rates for mature assets as part of a planned restructuring is positive, but cut the rating to [...]
Co-operative Group hires City headhunters to find board members September 7, 2014 The Co-operative has kicked off its search for a new chair by appointing City headhunters Odgers Berndtson to grill potential applicants for the high profile role. The mutual, currently chaired by Co-op insider Ursula Lidbetter, is hunting for the first independent chairman in its 150-year history in the wake of radical governance reforms voted through [...]
M&S targeting booming India retail markets November 12, 2013 RETAILER Marks & Spencer is looking overseas to try to stem a steady decline in clothing sales, focusing on India to replicate a move towards more stylish fashions that has failed to convince consumers at home. Britain’s biggest clothing retailer said yesterday it planned to make India its biggest foreign market, increasing its store count [...]
Bottom Line: CEO’s survival will depend on a revolution January 9, 2014 YESTERDAY marked a very unwelcome milestone for Marks & Spencer’s boss Marc Bolland. Three-and-a-half years into the job, the former Morrisons chief exec has clocked up his 10th successive quarter of declining clothing sales, leaving investors waiting for his promised turnaround yet again. That they’re giving him more time – as evidenced by yesterday’s 3.6 [...]
Analysts cut forecasts amid fears discounts will hurt profits December 18, 2013 MARKS & SPENCER and a raft of other major high street names were hit by downgrades from analysts yesterday amid fears that discounting and low wage growth will take its toll on spending this Christmas. HSBC and Oriel both slashed their forecasts for M&S yesterday, warning that weak consumer confidence and further promotional activity was [...]
Land Securities plots designer outlet at the O2 January 6, 2014 THE O2 arena could become one of London’s top shopping destinations after Land Securities began talks with its owner to open a designer outlet centre on the site. The property giant has signed a six-month exclusivity agreement with AEG Europe to explore options for creating a designer outlet scheme in an unused part of the [...]
From Quindell and Gotham City to Uber and the LDTA – five of the biggest business battles to watch out for in 2015 December 22, 2014 Rival camps have banded together, the lines are drawn, battle armour is on and adrenaline is running high. All that's left for spectators to do is grab some popcorn and watch from the ringside. From rival estate agents, to a business targeted by a Batman styled US fund and an influx of tiny new banks [...]
London Report: Supermarkets help to push FTSE down amid thin trading December 18, 2013 THE UK’s main equity index steadied in thin trade yesterday, with investors cautious before what is seen as a tight policy decision by the US Federal Reserve, and with a sell-off in retailers putting a lid on any gains. Strong US data, including yesterday’s forecast-beating housing starts, has fuelled expectations that the Fed could scale [...]
Arcadia’s Philip Green sets up for a food fight November 14, 2013 SIR PHILIP Green is plotting to take on supermarkets and long-time rival Marks & Spencer by launching food outlets in up to 150 of his BHS stores. The retail tycoon said yesterday that he has drawn up plans for convenience food stores within BHS and will make a decision by the end of the year [...]