Economic Diary January 24, 2010 MARKETS are expecting a bumpy ride this week with a slew of data that could derail momentum. Britons are eagerly awaiting the release of fourth quarter GDP tomorrow, which should show that the UK finally exited recession in the last three months of 2009. The consensus forecast is for output growth of 0.4 per cent. [...]
Weak economy and strong yen offer Nikkei no summer respite August 16, 2010 IT HAS been a tough 2010 for the Japanese stock market, which is already down some 13 per cent so far this year. Its export-oriented companies have suffered from a toxic mix of a surprisingly strong yen, lacklustre consumption in the West and now depressed domestic demand as well. Consequently, Japanese GDP growth between April [...]
Morrisons to trump its retail rivals January 17, 2010 WM MORRISON supermarkets is expected to announce outstanding trading results this week as it emerges from the Christmas period outperforming its rivals. Like-for-like sales of the UK’s fourth biggest supermarket chain are predicted to have improved seven per cent on the previous year, adding to the impressive turnaround overseen by soon-to-depart chief executive Marc Bolland. Bolland [...]
Arm Holdings boosted by chip demand February 2, 2010 A surge in demand for smartphones helped chip designer ARM Holdings win market share and beat analysts’ expectations in the fourth quarter, but the economic downturn still trimmed pre-tax profit by four per cent. “(Chipmakers) are designing more ARM technology into an increasingly broad range of end-markets applications, with mobile computing, smartphones and microcontrollers being [...]
City workers slam class war Budget March 24, 2010 THE City was left unconvinced by yesterday’s Budget, slamming Darling for failing to provide a clear outline on how the government was planning to reduce its huge deficit. Banks were being sent a contradictory message, critics said, pointing out that Darling has asked nationalised banks such as Lloyds and the Royal Bank of Scotland to [...]
Cineworld revenues increase despite the World Cup finals June 30, 2010 BRITISH cinema chain Cineworld believes new 3D films from popular franchises like Shrek, Toy Story and Harry Potter will help it attract audiences after a downturn triggered by the World Cup. Cineworld, which runs 78 mainly multiplex cinemas, said revenues rose 3.7 per cent in the first half of its financial year, even though the [...]
Cineworld revenues increase despite the World Cup finals June 30, 2010 BRITISH cinema chain Cineworld believes new 3D films from popular franchises like Shrek, Toy Story and Harry Potter will help it attract audiences after a downturn triggered by the World Cup. Cineworld, which runs 78 mainly multiplex cinemas, said revenues rose 3.7 per cent in the first half of its financial year, even though the [...]
Carpetright warns over tough market June 29, 2010 CARPETRIGHT yesterday warned of tough market conditions despite recording a 64 per cent increase in profit. The flooring firm – traditionally seen as the first in and then the first out of recession – also said it would be offering discounts to public service workers in a bid to drum up business. Carpetright made an [...]
London house sales rise as stock hits low January 17, 2010 HOUSE prices in London are leading the country higher, according to the latest monthly house price index compiled by Rightmove, the property website. The average price of housing in greater London has risen 2.5 per cent over the past month to £407,731, comparing favourably with a national increase of 0.4 per cent to £222,261. Two [...]
FSA oversight set to persist June 24, 2010 ALL major FSA policy initiatives and its intensive supervisory approach will be adopted within the new regulatory structure, FSA chief executive Hector Sants confirmed yesterday. Speaking at the watchdog’s annual public meeting, Sants said the FSA would take forward all its major policy initiatives within the new structure, including plans to eliminate commission for most [...]