The knock-on cost of pricey commodities February 27, 2011 Inflation is the word on everyone’s lips at the moment. RPI inflation – the measure that best reflects the true rise in the cost of living in the UK – is now at 5.1 per cent a year as producers raise prices to protect their profits. But even the biggest brand owners are struggling to [...]
A former banker says saving must begin at school September 22, 2011 I REMEMBER my first foray into high finance. Once a week my banker would travel to see me, take my money and give me a deposit receipt in return. He banked this money so it could be saved, bear interest and grow until I was a big girl. I was nine. Only years later did [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING October 12, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM RISING IN US Activism by prominent shareholders is on the rise in the US, as beaten-down share prices and a renewed focus on streamlining companies give investors an opportunity to push for change at large companies. In the first three quarters of the year, there was a 90 per cent rise [...]
PZ Cussons hits its forecasts July 26, 2011 SOAP and shampoo maker PZ Cussons yesterday met forecasts with a seven per cent rise in annual profit as tough trading conditions and increased raw material costs were mitigated by higher selling prices. The maker of Imperial Leather soaps and Carex anti-bacterial hand washes said it made an underlying pre-tax profit of £108.9m in the [...]
FTSE fightback foiled by bank weakness August 4, 2011 The banking sector put the brakes on potential gains on the FTSE 100 in early trading after poor results from Lloyds. The index was expected to be given new impetus today as hopes of a new package to breathe life into the US economy encouraged investors elsewhere. Former Federal Reserve vice chairman Donald Kohn said [...]
Winter turnaround for consumer morale, reports Nationwide poll January 17, 2011 CONSUMER confidence picked up in December, Nationwide said today. Despite recent falls in Nationwide’s index, data for last month revealed an uptick, driven by more optimistic expectations for this year. “At 73 points, the expectations measure reached its highest level for three months, and perhaps provides some hope that the recovery will gain momentum in [...]
N Brown sales rise in first half July 5, 2011 N Brown, the home shopping clothing group that targets older and larger consumers, posted a rise in first-half sales, underlining the resilient nature of the business in tough times. The company, based in Manchester, said total revenue increased 5.1 per cent in the 18 weeks to 2 July and was up 1.6 percent on a [...]
N Brown sales rise in first half July 5, 2011 N Brown, the home shopping clothing group that targets older and larger consumers, posted a rise in first-half sales, underlining the resilient nature of the business in tough times. The company, based in Manchester, said total revenue increased 5.1 per cent in the 18 weeks to 2 July and was up 1.6 percent on a [...]
TUI is buoyed as UK travel remains solid August 10, 2011 TUI Travel yesterday gave a confident outlook as weaknesses in its French business were offset by resilient bookings in the UK and a strong performance in the Nordic region. TUI said that sales in its northern region – which include the UK business – were up by 57 per cent year-on-year to give an underlying [...]
London grows at fastest rate for 16 months August 7, 2011 BUSINESS activity in London grew at its fastest rate for 16 months in July, according to a Lloyds TSB survey released today. Output grew in all regions except Northern Ireland, but London led the way with “by far the strongest expansion”. “July’s survey data points to an uneven regional recovery, with London advancing clear of [...]