Construction activity still contracting March 2, 2010 ACTIVITY in Britain’s struggling construction sector continued to fall in February but the rate of the decline was one of the weakest during the two-year period of contraction, a leading market survey revealed yesterday. The CIPS/Markit purchasing managers’ index posted 48.5 during February, which was only fractionally lower than the previous month’s 48.6. This is [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING February 25, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES BASF CHIEF DAMPS HOPES OF RAPID ECONOMIC RECOVERY One of Europe’s leading industrialists damped hopes of a quick economic recovery yesterday when he warned of persistent overcapacity and at least two years of flagging growth in developed countries. JЯrgen Hambrecht, chief executive of BASF, the world’s largest chemicals group by revenues, said economic [...]
Blackstone bounds into black with surprise earnings boost February 25, 2010 PRIVATE equity giant Blackstone Group posted better-than-expected earnings yesterday, driven by increased performance fees and improved valuations of its portfolios. Private equity firms suffered in 2008/9 from sliding stock markets, which reduced the values of their investments, and from the limited availability of credit for new deals. But both have improved, with valuations higher and [...]
Outflows dent Henderson’s bottom line February 24, 2010 ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN fund manager Henderson reported a dip in profits for 2009 as outflows countered the effect of recovering markets and positive investment performance. The group, which last year took over struggling rival New Star, said recurring pre-tax profits after amortisation and charges was £63m, versus the £80.3m posted in 2008. Henderson said that at the [...]
EX-BANKER FOLLOWS HIS RUGBY DREAMS February 24, 2010 RUGBY-lovers in the City can be rightly proud that one of their own is putting his money where his mouth is in terms of promoting the game of Rugby Sevens around the world. Sevens – a speedier, shorter version of the traditional game – has recently enjoyed a bit of a boost from the announcement [...]
Meet the man who would be king: a radical dressed in Liberal clothing February 23, 2010 THE Liberal Democrats have never held much sway in the City. Their traditional supporters prefer a sleepy, polite way of life – not the cut and thrust of the Square Mile. If the opinion polls are to be believed, however, Nick Clegg is set to play the role of kingmaker in a hung parliament after [...]
Wolseley set to beat yearly profit target February 23, 2010 SHARES in building supplies group Wolseley today shot up more than 11 per cent after it forecast that profits for the year to 31 July will beat market expectations. The FTSE 100 group, which operates in the UK, US and mainland Europe, says that trading profit before exceptional items will exceed the £326m currently pencilled [...]
Elementis stays positive despite slump in demand February 23, 2010 ELEMENTIS, the British chemicals maker, posted a 62 per cent decline in full year pre-tax profits yesterday following a global slump in demand for its products. But the company maintained its dividend and shares were up more than 11 per cent, with analysts maintaining their “buy” rating on the stock. Brewin Dolphin said: “Elementis’ full-year [...]
Ferrovial seeks new funds February 23, 2010 Debt-laden Spanish infrastructure conglomerate Ferrovial made an unprecedented call for financial investors to join it in new projects yesterday as it seeks to strengthen its balance sheet after a tough 2009. Ferrovial, owner of UK airport operator BAA and tollway firm Cintra as well as construction and service divisions, posted flat growth in core profit [...]
Wolseley raises profit forecast February 23, 2010 SHARES in building supplies group Wolseley today shot up more than 11 per cent after it forecast that profits for the year to 31 July will beat market expectations. The FTSE 100 group, which operates in the UK, US and mainland Europe, says that trading profit before exceptional items will exceed the £326m currently pencilled [...]