‘Last year I was the new guy’ November 4, 2009 IF newcomers to the England set-up want advice on how to make an impact at Test level, they could do far worse than speak to Ugo Monye. In the space of 12 months the versatile Harlequins back has gone from uncapped hopeful to a key figure in Martin Johnson’s England side, and a British and [...]
‘Last year I was the new guy’ November 4, 2009 IF newcomers to the England set-up want advice on how to make an impact at Test level, they could do far worse than speak to Ugo Monye. In the space of 12 months the versatile Harlequins back has gone from uncapped hopeful to a key figure in Martin Johnson’s England side, and a British and [...]
Johnson says it is confident on the year ahead September 9, 2009 DRY cleaning-to-clothes-hire firm Johnson Service Group posted a surge in first-half adjusted pre-tax profit yesterday, aided by robust trading amid tough market conditions. It said it was confident of achieving satisfactory results for the year. The company also said it would resume dividend payments with an interim payout of 0.25p per share. “Against a difficult [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS September 24, 2009 HALFORDS GROUPAhead of Halfords’ second-quarter trading update on 8 October, Investec upgraded its forecasts and its target price to 435p, from 400p. The broker believes a combination of better weather and more “staycations” than last year will deliver a more robust performance than previously expected, and says “buy”. WM MORRISONJefferies International upped its target price [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS September 24, 2009 HALFORDS GROUPAhead of Halfords’ second-quarter trading update on 8 October, Investec upgraded its forecasts and its target price to 435p, from 400p. The broker believes a combination of better weather and more “staycations” than last year will deliver a more robust performance than previously expected, and says “buy”. WM MORRISONJefferies International upped its target price [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS October 26, 2009 KPMGThe accountancy firm’s forensic practice has recruited Nigel Layton, the founder of specialist corporate investigations firm Quest, as a director in the corporate intelligence team. Layton set up Quest in 1995 and has since built up its reputation via cases including an inquiry for the Premier League into allegations of irregular payments surrounding certain football [...]
Uncertainty will see QEand rates held October 7, 2009 QUANTITATIVE EASING (QE) and interest rates should both be kept on hold this month, according to a majority of City A.M.’s shadow monetary policy committee (MPC) ahead of the Bank of England’s decision due at midday today. While seven members voted for no change, Henderson New Star’s Simon Ward, who advocates suspending QE, argues that [...]
ARE YOU CHEERED BY KINGFISHER’S UPDATE? September 17, 2009 RICHARD HUNTER HARGREAVES LANSDOWNThe inadvertent leak of the positive surprise has today been confirmed by Kingfisher, which has enjoyed a 35 per cent hike in profits. Good weather, the removal of competition such as MFI, a close eye on cost and stock control and the revamping of its offerings have all helped. MATTHEW MCEACHRAN SINGER [...]
ARE YOU CHEERED BY KINGFISHER’S UPDATE? September 17, 2009 RICHARD HUNTER HARGREAVES LANSDOWNThe inadvertent leak of the positive surprise has today been confirmed by Kingfisher, which has enjoyed a 35 per cent hike in profits. Good weather, the removal of competition such as MFI, a close eye on cost and stock control and the revamping of its offerings have all helped. MATTHEW MCEACHRAN SINGER [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS September 20, 2009 JD WETHERSPOONInvestec Securities has reiterated its buy recommendation for JD Wetherspoon, noting that potential obstacles should be overcome by the company’s strong cash generation and market share gains. The planned VAT increase is not expected to damage JD Wetherspoon, with price increases and accentuated value relative to peers predicted to compensate.ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLANDEvolution Securities [...]