Kingfisher shares climb on bumper profits March 25, 2014 B&Q owner Kingfisher is enjoying a rise in share price of four per cent after the company announced bumper profits before tax of 9.8 per cent to £759m for the year 2013/14. The company saw revenues rise 5.2 per cent to £11bn despite a difficult first quarter in 2013 and a weak economic environment in [...]
A parting thought: Britain needs to learn to love capitalism June 19, 2014 THERE is one change, more than any other, that Britain needs to undergo if we want to fulfil our true potential. We must learn to embrace capitalism, individual liberty and the awe-inspiring wealth and job creating potential of business, and ditch our ambivalent attitude towards free markets. It is time for a cultural revolution in [...]
What you need to know before the open April 3, 2014 Markets are set to open higher this morning as investors turn their eyes to the European Central Bank (ECB). Many are hoping that the ECB will take measures to tackle deflationary pressures in the Eurozone. Corporate data Vodafone has announced it will to open 150 new shops across the UK, creating 1,400 jobs. B&Q and [...]
Ford primed to make England bow February 18, 2014 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has backed George Ford to handle the step up to Test level after handing the young Bath fly-half his Test debut on Saturday against Ireland. Ford, 20, was last night retained in boss Stuart Lancaster’s training party for the Six Nations showdown, meaning he is set to come off the bench [...]
Doosan Babcock signs deal to support EDF’s UK nuclear plants February 18, 2014 ENERGY services company Doosan Babcock yesterday said it has secured a deal with EDF to support the operations of seven of its nuclear power stations in the UK, securing around 1,000 jobs. The agreement will come to an end when the last of the seven power stations ceases power generation, with Doosan Babcock calling it [...]
Baby drama won’t hinder England bid March 13, 2014 ENGLAND’S quest to win a first Six Nations title in three years will not be hampered by the last-minute loss of prop and expectant father Joe Marler, according to head coach Stuart Lancaster. Marler was initially included in Lancaster’s starting XV to take on Italy tomorrow, but doubts over his ability to join his team-mates [...]
What you need to know before the open May 1, 2014 A flat open is expected this morning after a further taper from the Fed yesterday. Investors didn’t seem to focus too much on the weather-induced shock drop in first quarter growth in the US – to just 0.1 per cent, looking instead at the more confident Fed statement, strong ADP employment report and Chicago manufacturing [...]
Why the Jaguar F-Type Coupé is the best sports car of its generation July 29, 2014 Getting into an F-Type coupé is like the first haircut you have when you graduate. You’re starting to face reality and a job interview is on the horizon. Every mirror solicits a double-take – you never knew you could look so smart. But this car is stunning from every angle. There are great works of [...]
The week in brief April 14, 2014 OMD awarded £21m UK Disney media account OMD has won Disney’s £21m UK media planning and buying account (part of a wider review into Disney’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Havas Media will be responsible for local markets in Benelux, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Disney’s EMEA incumbent agency Carat is contracted [...]
Tax hurdles throw doubt on advertising mega deal April 22, 2014 OMNICOM, the world’s second largest advertising agency, said yesterday it is unable to predict when its $35.1bn (£20.8bn) merger with Publicis Groupe would close, raising concerns that the deal might not go through. Omnicom said the mega merger has yet to receive approval from antitrust authorities in China or approval to establish tax residency in [...]