FTSE in modest gains as UK inflation dips July 17, 2012 The FTSE 100 made modest gains in early trading as investors awaited a key report by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke which could open the door to new monetary stimulus measures after recent weak US data. Bernanke will present his latest monetary policy report to Congress today and tomorrow against a background of lacklustre [...]
Conquer a daunting wall of ice without a trip to the Antarctic July 30, 2012 Clinging precariously to a sheet of rippling blue ice, the summit in sight, I took a leap of faith. Digging my spiked shoes into the metre-thick walls of the “chimney” of frozen water, I lunged with an ice axe, connecting for a brief second, only to dislodge a block the size of my fist: it [...]
The FF is a supermodel on steroids August 28, 2012 Ferrari doesn’t tend to do things by halves. When it launched its FF model – the first four-wheel-drive in its history – it did so by having its two F1 racing drivers drive it at the top of Plan De Corones in the Dolomites at 2,350 metres. It’s fair to say, then, that Ferrari is [...]
Trading trends change despite a stuck record July 23, 2012 AFTER a disappointing summer to date, we finally have some sunshine. But in the European markets, things are distinctly more gloomy. Italy and Spain have both brought in short selling bans. Their financial equities have taken a battering as the market lacks confidence in their long-term funding abilities. Both markets saw short-term relief rallies before [...]
The surprising power of the slow June 26, 2012 Fuel-efficient, inexpensive, able to seat four and easy to park was British Motor Corporation’s original brief to designer Alec Issigonis for its Austin Design Office Project 15 back in 1957. Out of the Suez Crisis, ADO 15 became the original BMC Mini and carmakers have rarely managed to produce a car that’s as well-packaged since. [...]
Tesco pays to dispose of its Japanese arm June 18, 2012 SUPERMARKET giant Tesco yesterday ended a nine-year attempt to crack Japan’s tough retail market by effectively paying Aeon, the country’s second-biggest general retailer, to take its loss-making business off its hands. The deal, which will allow Tesco to focus on fixing its main British business after a shock profit warning in January, will re-heat speculation [...]
A smart acquisition pays off as satnav market shrinks June 12, 2012 I OWN a satnav. It used to be my pride and joy, but now sits in the boot of my car, while my wife calls out directions to me from her iPhone. Soon, according to Apple’s announcement on Monday, I could simply replace my wife with an iPad and have Siri call out every turn [...]
The car in front is a… What? A Kia? August 21, 2012 The car market used to be so much easier to understand. You used to be able to make a brand table that looked like a ladder, with value brands at the bottom and premium brands at the top. As a manufacturer you either made a lot of cars and sold them for less profit per [...]
Everything Everywhere faces a takeover bid from its ex-chief June 17, 2012 EVERYTHING Everywhere is the target of a private equity takeover bid fronted by its former chief executive Tom Alexander. Private equity firms KKR and Apax are understood to have put forward a collective £3bn to buy the British telecoms company – a hybrid of Orange and T-Mobile, the UK brands of France Telecom and Deutsche [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 12, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Co-op nears cut-price Lloyds deal The Co-operative Group is close to agreeing final terms with Lloyds Banking Group to buy 630 of its branches in a deal expected to be struck at a steep discount to the previously mooted £1.5bn price tag. But Lloyds, 40 per cent owned by the government, would be [...]