BEST OF THE BROKERS October 6, 2010 NORTHERN FOODS JP Morgan Cazenove has moved its rating on Northern Foods back to “underweight” with a new downgraded price target of 40p. The broker says the food manufacturer’s growth and profitability are dependant upon its relationship with UK food retailers and its ability to control its costs. The broker says Northern is likely to [...]
Banks: retail sector is competitive December 7, 2010 LEADING banking industry figures yesterday defended the level of competition in the UK’s retail banking sector, in evidence to the Treasury Select Committee. Lloyds Banking Group chief executive Eric Daniels, whose bank faces the possibility of being broken up by the government, denied that the UK market was made uncompetitive by four of the top [...]
Banks: retail sector is competitive December 7, 2010 LEADING banking industry figures yesterday defended the level of competition in the UK’s retail banking sector, in evidence to the Treasury Select Committee. Lloyds Banking Group chief executive Eric Daniels, whose bank faces the possibility of being broken up by the government, denied that the UK market was made uncompetitive by four of the top [...]
Mergers are needed to keep bourses in business February 13, 2011 TWO blockbuster stock exchange tie-ups were announced last week, sparking a rush of speculation that others may follow. But what are the forces behind this drive to consolidate, and is it sustainable? On Wednesday, the London Stock Exchangeagreed a merger with Canada’s Toronto Metals Exchange, to establish the world’s biggest trading exchange by listings, with [...]
Retailers go head to head with results October 3, 2010 SUPERMARKETS are set for a showdown this week as Tesco, J Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer post interim results. Smaller retailers Ted Baker, Halfords and Greggs are also due results, in a week that will indicate how the High Street has fared since the general election. Tesco is expected to post a 10 per cent [...]
Retailers go head to head with results October 3, 2010 SUPERMARKETS are set for a showdown this week as Tesco, J Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer post interim results. Smaller retailers Ted Baker, Halfords and Greggs are also due results, in a week that will indicate how the High Street has fared since the general election. Tesco is expected to post a 10 per cent [...]
J Sainsbury outpaces rivals as it sees its market share inch higher November 9, 2010 UK SUPERMARKET sales are rising slightly more than food price inflation, with the third largest grocer J Sainsbury outpacing its major rivals, market researchers Kantar Worldpanel said yesterday. Grocery sales climbed four per cent in the 12 weeks ended 31 October, helped by a three per cent rise in inflation — little changed from the [...]
Growth in China on the cards at Boots November 7, 2010 HIGH STREET health and beauty retailer Boots hopes to make headway in China when its executive chairman travels to the country as part of David Cameron’s first official visit as Prime Minister. Stefano Pessina has reportedly organised talks with potential partners in Beijing and Shanghai while he is in the country, as part of a [...]
Trade envoys named as Cable signs pigs deal November 9, 2010 DAVID Cameron has named a raft of new business ambassadors to be responsible for promoting British trade interests abroad. The positions are not paid but give the envoys the chance to strike profitable deals for the UK abroad. The ambassadors include the CBI’s outgoing chief Richard Lambert, fomer governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten, Brunswick’s [...]
Cable & Wireless Worldwide says it is happy with current full-year target November 16, 2010 TELECOMS firm Cable & Wireless Worldwide is comfortable with full-year expectations after posting first-half sales and earnings in line with forecasts despite pressure from cuts to UK public spending. C&W Worldwide (CWW), which concentrates on the global corporate market and has a large presence in Britain, said the “satisfactory” results had been held back by [...]