NEW YORK REPORT October 22, 2009 US stocks rose yesterday after quarterly results from insurer Travelers and regional bank PNC Financial gave a boost to financial stocks. Financials were among the top gainers after insurer Travelers posted gains after it raised its full-year outlook and regional bank PNC Financial Services Group shares jumped 12.7 per cent to $50.65 on far better-than-expected [...]
NEW YORK REPORT October 22, 2009 US stocks rose yesterday after quarterly results from insurer Travelers and regional bank PNC Financial gave a boost to financial stocks. Financials were among the top gainers after insurer Travelers posted gains after it raised its full-year outlook and regional bank PNC Financial Services Group shares jumped 12.7 per cent to $50.65 on far better-than-expected [...]
Google offers rivals book access September 10, 2009 Search engine giant Google has offered rivals access to its huge digital book database, in its latest bid to counter opposition, after a landmark legal settlement with the publishing world. But critics immediately slammed the offer, saying it wouldn’t dent Google’s growing grip on the digital books business. The offer comes ahead of a preliminary [...]
TORIES TO PRIVATISE THE POSTAL SERVICE October 22, 2009 SHADOW business secretary Ken Clarke yesterday said that a Tory government would privatise the Royal Mail if it wins the next election, as the Communication Workers Union (CWU) announced a second three-day walk out next week. Clarke said that only private capital and management could give Royal Mail a new lease of life and end [...]
Google and IBM surpass expectations October 15, 2009 US technology companies were upbeat last night, with Google declaring that the worst of the recession is over and IBM raising its full-year outlook. Google, the world’s number one search engine, said that its net income rose by 27 per cent in the third quarter to $1.64bn (£1bn), or $5.13 a share, compared with $1.29bn, [...]
Post strikes will do most damage to Royal Mail October 18, 2009 IF THIS week’s postal strike goes ahead from Thursday, as expected, the Square Mile will not come to a grinding halt. The rise of the internet, email and electronic trading platforms mean that the Royal Mail’s integral role of facilitating business between City firms are long gone. I suspect that more damage will be caused [...]
How Apple is stealing the limelight from Microsoft October 21, 2009 WHEN Microsoft releases Windows 7 today, it will be closing a troubled chapter in its history. The previous version of its operating system, Windows Vista, has been cut adrift by massive changes in the PC market since its launch in 2007; a resurgent Apple, soaring sales of netbooks that run free alternatives to Windows and [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 3, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES INTEL SEES WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITYAn ageing line-up of PCs and the arrival of Windows 7 will cause companies to start spending again on computers next year, according to the head of the world’s largest chipmaker. The comments by Paul Otellini, chief executive of Intel, underscore growing optimism in the technology industry that next year will see a return [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 3, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES INTEL SEES WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITYAn ageing line-up of PCs and the arrival of Windows 7 will cause companies to start spending again on computers next year, according to the head of the world’s largest chipmaker. The comments by Paul Otellini, chief executive of Intel, underscore growing optimism in the technology industry that next year will see a return [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND PREVIEWS September 3, 2009 FILMBIG RIVER MAN Documentary following Mark Strel’s remarkable swim down the Amazon. GREEK PETE Drama about a young man working as an escort in London. PASSCHENDAELE Canadian film about one of World War One’s bloodiest battles. DVDTHE BOAT THAT ROCKED Lacklustre Richard Curtis comedy about Sixties pirate radio, with Bill Nighy. FIFTY DEAD MEN WALKING [...]