Figures to show the state of the UK economy as Davos meeting begins January 20, 2013 FIGURES this week from the Office for National Statistics will reveal whether the UK economy shrank in the fourth quarter of 2012 and over the year as a whole. “We expect the economy to have contracted by 0.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of last year which would limit year-on-year growth to 0.2 [...]
Weak investor sentiment holds back FTSE 100 November 14, 2012 Worries over the US economy and Greece’s unresolved debt crisis dragged down the leading share index in early trading this morning. On the FTSE All-Share, broker Icap led the fallers, tumbling 6.32 per cent as it reported a 26 per cent drop in profits. Electricals retailer Darty fell 5.46 per cent in early deals, as [...]
GDP revision to reveal whether UK consumers are still penny pinching November 25, 2012 MARKET watchers will be keenly anticipating the second estimate of the UK’s third quarter GDP growth from the Bank of England tomorrow. While economists cheered the first estimate of one per cent, they are hoping any revision will only be a small one, and not a sign of further dips in consumer spending. Howard Archer, [...]
AG Barr silent on merger plan as income dips September 24, 2012 AG BARR, the Scottish soft drinks maker, yesterday remained silent on its proposed £1.4bn tie-up with larger rival Britvic as it shrugged off a fall in half-year profit. The group, best known for its bright orange Irn-Bru drink, said pre-tax profits fell eight per cent to £14.9m in the six months to 28 July despite [...]
Choosing the right person to mix the drinks September 5, 2012 OTHERS may be busy discussing plans for a referendum on Scottish independence, but there are signs of a fresh cross-border union between Hemel Hempstead-headquartered Britvic and AG Barr, maker of Scotland’s other national drink, Irn-Bru. If this new act of union goes ahead, it looks good for AG Barr – its revenues are almost five [...]
UK finances in spotlight with inflation data October 14, 2012 BRITAIN’S finances will be brought sharply into focus this week with details of the annual inflation rate, minutes of the October Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and public finances data. On the corporate front, housebuilder Bellway is expected to extend the sector’s positive run tomorrow, with preliminary results. Today’s news includes a trading update from Fresnillo, [...]
William Hill and GVC edge closer to Sportingbet October 16, 2012 TAKEOVER duo William Hill and GVC yesterday finally won the backing of the Sportingbet board for plans to buy the online gambler after sweetening its offer for the firm to 61.1p a share. The companies will now start due diligence on the businesses with hopes of making a firm offer before a Takeover Panel deadline [...]
FTSE 100 opens lower on weak economic data September 5, 2012 The index fell in early trading, as investors were cautious on sluggish economic data. A contraction in US manufacturing, following a production slowdown in China, meant shares were little changed ahead of the European Central Bank’s monthly meeting tomorrow. Oil firms and miners clustered in the fallers, with natural resources group Bumi leading the pack, [...]
BEST of the BROKERS July 4, 2012 BRITVIC Numis rates the drinks firm “hold” and has a target price of 320p. The broker thinks the miserable weather has dampened Britvic’s third quarter sales, having endured the wettest June on record, and reckons the firm will see a 2.1 per cent drop in revenues to £318.2m, dragging annual growth to 0.1 per cent. [...]
The pace quickens for London’s investment bankers September 13, 2012 Maybe it was the news that Tony Blair had intervened to reignite the City’s biggest takeover of the year. Maybe it’s just the natural gathering pace of autumn, when business tends to hot up. Or maybe it’s the raw fear of job losses or even the hope of a more stable Eurozone backdrop. Whatever the [...]