Events in Europe shouldn’t distract us from the global challenges we face May 20, 2012 AS City A.M. readers read this, Greece and the stability of the euro is probably at the forefront of their minds. I am concerned, too, but my perspective today is different. I am looking back across the globe from where I have just landed on day one of a City business mission to the Philippines, [...]
Travel hub strategy could be too late April 19, 2012 IT is tough out there for everyone on the high street, but things are particularly unpleasant for WH Smith. In an age of digital music downloads and film streaming, it sells CDs and DVDs. In an era of electronic communication, it sells stationary. At a time of declining circulation for paid-for newspapers and magazines, it [...]
Roy’s right man, but don’t judge on Euro 2012 April 30, 2012 THE Football Association may have raised a few eyebrows by moving to appoint Roy Hodgson as England manager ahead of Harry Redknapp, but I’m very comfortable with it. As far as motivators go, Redknapp is top of the tree, but the job – especially this role, which incorporates overseeing aspects of England’s technical development from [...]
FTSE lifted by Shell and Barclays boost April 26, 2012 The FTSE 100 opened on the front foot today with gains fuelled by the energy sector after Shell reported encouraging fourth quarter profits. In banking Barclays announced a 22 per cent rise in first quarter earnings, which also helped to inject some momentum into the market. Investors shrugged off yesterday’s bleak news that the UK [...]
FTSE shored up by strong blue chip results May 2, 2012 The FTSE 100 was flat in early trading as better than expected US manufacturing figures were offset by the bleak picture in the Eurozone. US manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace for 10 months fuelling confidence in the recovery of the world’s largest economy. However, the Eurozone’s manufacturing sector slipped further into decline last month, [...]
FTSE shored up by strong blue chip results May 2, 2012 The FTSE 100 was flat in early trading as better than expected US manufacturing figures were offset by the bleak picture in the Eurozone. US manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace for 10 months fuelling confidence in the recovery of the world’s largest economy. However, the Eurozone’s manufacturing sector slipped further into decline last month, [...]
Huh comeback proves rookie’s one to watch April 23, 2012 ENGLAND’S own Lee Westwood enjoyed his first win of the season and former Open champion Ben Curtis ended a six-year barren streak, but the player who really caught my eye at the weekend was rookie John Huh. The 21-year-old American was nine over par after eight holes of his first round at the Valero Texas [...]
After City A.M. exposed Ken Livingstone for using private healthcare, is he a hypocrite? April 19, 2012 YES Priti Patel Using private healthcare is just another example of how Ken Livingstone says one thing and does another. We already know that he dubbed tax avoiders as “rich bastards”, only for it to emerge that he had been funnelling his income through a company to avoid paying income tax. And while in City [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS February 21, 2012 ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT Peel Hunt has downgraded its recommendation on the asset manager from “buy” to “hold” but upgraded its estimates and target price on the stock, with the latter climbing from 270p to 280p. The broker says strong performances in its key equity funds have led to upgrades of 2012 and 2013 estimates by [...]
THE TIPSTER March 5, 2012 INSURER Admiral endured choppy waters in 2011, seeing its share price drop to a nadir of 800p due to worries about bans on referral fees and a profit warning in the latter half of the year. 2012 has seen better sailing, but the company will need to show signs that the increase in claims has [...]