Fears rise over crash in key shipping index January 15, 2014 WORRIES over the strength of the global economic recovery have been sparked this week by a near 40 per cent collapse in a key benchmark. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) records the cost of shipping raw materials around the world, and is used by some analysts as an indicator of economic health in the near [...]
Smith all smiles as Exiles ease away day blues February 16, 2014 LONDON Irish director of rugby Brian Smith believes his side’s 23-20 victory at London Wasps was even better than last week’s triumph at Saracens as the Exiles recorded back-to-back away wins in Aviva Premiership Rugby for the first time since 2010. Smith’s side picked up where they left off at Allianz Park, scoring two early [...]
Benefficient can give Ireland a long overdue success in the Ryanair March 12, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE RYANAIR CHASE AND THE KIM MUIR THE outspoken Michael O’Leary has made no secret of his desire to see one of his horses, running in the famous maroon Gigginstown Stud colours, win the race sponsored by the airline that made his fortune. Apart from the inaugural running of this Grade One [...]
M&S sales lose their shine after poor Christmas January 6, 2014 MARKS & Spencer is set to report poor festive trading this week as heavy discounting activity in the run-up to Christmas failed to spark a late surge in spending. Analysts predict the retailer will report a drop in third quarter general merchandise sales of as much as 1.5 per cent, despite a highly publicised revamp [...]
Freezer King bags £542m as AO.com soars February 26, 2014 AO WORLD founder John Roberts is sitting on cash and shares worth around £542m after the online white goods empire he founded 14 years ago made a grand entrance onto the London Stock Exchange yesterday, with shares leaping 32 per cent. Roberts has reduced his 40 per cent stake to 28.6 per cent, the company [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 25 February 2014 February 24, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Markit and Virtu race for IPOs Two unique financial technology companies are preparing multibillion dollar initial public offerings, with both Markit and Virtu Financial seeking New York listings in the coming months. Markit, the UK-based data provider, is aiming to raise at least $500m and seek a valuation of more than $5bn as [...]
Final reel for Blockbuster December 12, 2013 BLOCKBUSTER’S remaining 91 stores are to be shuttered before Christmas with the loss of 800 jobs, the chain’s administrators confirmed yesterday. Moorfields Corporate Recovery said all remaining stock will be sold by Sunday 15 December with discounts of up to 90 per cent before store are finally shut for good the following day, bringing an [...]
Harry’s team asks you to walk home for Xmas December 8, 2013 ADVERSE weather conditions may have slowed Prince Harry’s trek to the South Pole but a UK-based event in support of Walking With The Wounded, backed by City A.M., is still rolling full steam ahead. Glenfiddich, Prince Harry’s team, has been banging the drum for Walking Home for Christmas from all the way down in Antarctica. [...]
FA Cup: Fulham face fixture woe January 26, 2014 SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 vs FULHAM 1 FULHAM boss Rene Meulensteen has lashed out at a congested fixture list that he blames for forcing him to change the entire starting XI for yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. The Cottagers needed a 75th-minute equaliser by Hugo Rodallega to stay in the FA Cup, after Chris Porter [...]
High street kicks-off sales frenzy ahead of Christmas December 19, 2013 DISCOUNTING activity in the crucial run-up to Christmas has begun in earnest as new figures out yesterday showed that nearly three quarters of retailers were now holding sales in a last-minute bid to win over shoppers. PwC said 72 per cent of the 100 high street retailers surveyed were now on sale or holding promotions [...]