FTSE up as Spanish debt fears ease April 19, 2012 The FTSE 100 edged up this morning but trading was light as investors digested the results of a Spanish debt auction. Spain’s 10-year government bond yield surged above six per cent earlier this week, raising fears it may have to seek an international bailout. But this morning’s auction saw 10-year bonds sold at a yield [...]
Kingfisher profits to jump by a fifth February 16, 2012 Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvements retailer, said it would meet forecasts for a 20 per cent rise in year profit after posting sales growth and market share gains in its fourth quarter. “Our established programme of self-help initiatives has continued to serve us well and so we expect to announce full year adjusted profit in [...]
Mitchells & Butlers sales better than forecast January 26, 2012 Restaurants and pubs group Mitchells & Butlers reported a better than expected first quarter sales rise, benefiting from milder weather over the Christmas and New Year period and strong demand for casual dining. The company, whose chains include Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One, said it was confident of further growth in the year [...]
Mitchells & Butlers sales better than forecast January 26, 2012 Restaurants and pubs group Mitchells & Butlers reported a better than expected first quarter sales rise, benefiting from milder weather over the Christmas and New Year period and strong demand for casual dining. The company, whose chains include Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One, said it was confident of further growth in the year [...]
Mervyn King should have hiked rates to deflate the bubble May 3, 2012 SIR Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, is not one for mea culpas. His speech last night was an extraordinary defence of his record in office – and a largely unfair attack on his detractors, ignoring their intellectual arguments and questioning their motives. He did admit that he should have done more [...]
A nature lover’s ultimate paradise April 15, 2012 How’ s the snorkelling?” I ask Christina as she emerges from the turquoise waters of Playa Cabo del Horno in San Cristobal. “Quite good,” she replies with a shrug. “I saw a sea turtle and a sea lion”. Christina, a rather po-faced Dane who’s been on the Galapagos a few weeks, is clearly not easily [...]
Mervyn King should have hiked rates to deflate the bubble May 2, 2012 SIR Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, is not one for mea culpas. His speech last night was an extraordinary defence of his record in office – and a largely unfair attack on his detractors, ignoring their intellectual arguments and questioning their motives. He did admit that he should have done more [...]
Mervyn King should have hiked rates to deflate the bubble May 2, 2012 SIR Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, is not one for mea culpas. His speech last night was an extraordinary defence of his record in office – and a largely unfair attack on his detractors, ignoring their intellectual arguments and questioning their motives. He did admit that he should have done more [...]
Success for the lucky few that don’t rely on the high street March 22, 2012 IT’S bleak out there on the high street, about that there is no doubt. Non-food sales volumes fell by 1.5 per cent in February compared to a month earlier (see facing page). With Christmas long gone and the heavily-discounted January sales a distant memory, consumers have little to look forward to. Inflation might be less [...]
Barclays in key hiring from rival February 29, 2012 BARCLAYS Capital has demonstrated its ambition to become a leading player in UK investment banking, hiring Mark Astaire, head of corporate broking, from rival Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Astaire, who is now on three months’ gardening leave, joins his former colleague Richard Taylor at BarCap, where he will be charged with driving the team [...]