Standard Life backs M&B’s management December 3, 2009 One of Mitchells & Butlers’ largest institutional shareholders yesterday issued a public statement backing the firm’s management, which is facing a revolt from dissident shareholders. Mitchells & Butlers, led by chief executive Adam Fowle, sent documents to the takeover panel this week alleging that Bahamas-based billionaire Joe Lewis, who controls a 23 per cent stake [...]
B&Q looks to World Cup to kick-off sales June 3, 2010 B&Q owner Kingfisher said yesterday it was pinning its hopes on the World Cup to fuel a sales rise after a first quarter blighted by poor weather. The group said it had almost sold out of a garden gnome dressed in the England team kit ahead of the tournament and was also selling wheelbarrows and [...]
Kingfisher profit up after cost savings June 3, 2010 B&Q owner Kingfisher – Europe’s biggest home improvements retailer – posted a 15 per cent rise in first-quarter profit as cost savings and reduced losses in China offset a fall in underlying sales due to poor spring weather. The group, which runs Castorama and Brico Depot in France, made a retail profit of £146m in [...]
Sky tells News Corp to raise its £12bn bid June 15, 2010 BSKYB yesterday told Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation it has to stump up at least £1bn more if it wants to buy the Pay-TV broadcaster. News Corp tabled a 700p a share, which values Sky at around £12.25bn, to buy the 60.9 per cent of Sky it does not already own. But yesterday Sky’s independent directors, [...]
Sky tells News Corp to raise its £12bn bid June 15, 2010 BSKYB yesterday told Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation it has to stump up at least £1bn more if it wants to buy the Pay-TV broadcaster. News Corp tabled a 700p a share, which values Sky at around £12.25bn, to buy the 60.9 per cent of Sky it does not already own. But yesterday Sky’s independent directors, [...]
BBC will cut gold-plated pension plans June 29, 2010 THE BBC hopes to plug its yawning £2bn pension deficit by introducing sweeping changes to its retirement scheme. The state broadcaster says it could save an astonishing third of the cost of its annual pension payments by introducing measures such as axing its lucrative final salary pension scheme to new employees. The scheme will remain open [...]
BBC will cut gold-plated pension plans June 29, 2010 THE BBC hopes to plug its yawning £2bn pension deficit by introducing sweeping changes to its retirement scheme. The state broadcaster says it could save an astonishing third of the cost of its annual pension payments by introducing measures such as axing its lucrative final salary pension scheme to new employees. The scheme will remain open [...]
This may be news to some, but Murdoch’s move is a good one June 16, 2010 Not all of News Corp’s shareholders jumped with joy at news of controlling shareholder Rupert Murdoch’s plan to buy the 61 per cent of BSkyB’s shares it doesn’t already own. Some may feel it is a convoluted attempt to serve Murdoch interests rather than those of the minority holders in News Corp. Others may think [...]
This may be news to some, but Murdoch’s move is a good one June 16, 2010 Not all of News Corp’s shareholders jumped with joy at news of controlling shareholder Rupert Murdoch’s plan to buy the 61 per cent of BSkyB’s shares it doesn’t already own. Some may feel it is a convoluted attempt to serve Murdoch interests rather than those of the minority holders in News Corp. Others may think [...]
M&B toasts a dining uplift November 26, 2009 PUBS group Mitchells & Butlers yesterday said it was optimistic about Christmas trading as it switched to a food focus to compensate for slower drinks revenue. The group said that it has recently introduced its “winter menu” to take advantage of the rise in consumer confidence, which has sparked people to splash out on good [...]