INVESTMENT BANK OF THE YEAR August 31, 2010 THE story of the last year for investment banks has been recovery. While the rest of the economy has remained sluggish the smartest bankers have bounced back and returned to profit – sometimes spectacularly so. Still, things will never be the same. A re-ordering of the banking world is ongoing, and our list reflects this. [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 1, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES MEAT PRICE SURGE FUELS FEARS OF FOOD INFLATION Global meat prices have hit a 20-year high as robust demand from emerging countries has coincided with a drop in production by exporters such as the US and Australia, fuelling concerns about rising food inflation. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s index of meat prices [...]
Swiss Re ups forecast for Chile earthquake losses June 11, 2010 Swiss Re has said it faces bigger-than-expected losses on claims from the Chile earthquake, putting pressure on profits. The world’s second-biggest reinsurer upped its forecast for losses from the quake to $630m (£428m) before tax from $500m. Swiss Re also took losses of $220m in the first quarter from storms in Europe, which hit France [...]
The seaside bohemia that’s in your backyard September 16, 2010 EVEN the most devoted Londoners can tire of the big smoke – especially those raising families. But rather than heading to established commuter havens in Kent, Hampshire and Hertfordshire to pursue your pastoral dream, you could do far worse than consider Brighton. It’s cheaper, cheerful and offers a totally unique combination of sea, beautiful countryside [...]
Why you need the Windows generation September 1, 2010 THOUSANDS of young people are deciding to skip university and plunge straight into the world of work, while the job market has been flooded with recent graduates desperate for their first job to start paying off those massive tuition fees. As an employer, you might think that this is fantastic news. Cheap, keen people are [...]
Markets slump on fears of double-dip June 29, 2010 MARKETS on both sides of the Atlantic plummeted yesterday as doubts over the strength of the global recovery and the possibility of a Europe-wide cash crisis triggered fears of a re-run of the 2008 recession when investors sold all but the safest assets. The FTSE 100 crashed 3.1 per cent, closing at 4914.22 – its [...]
Swiss Re gears up to repay loan to Warren Buffett May 6, 2010 SWISS Re, the world’s second-biggest reinsurer, boosted its capital by around $3bn (£2bn), giving it confidence it can repay a costly convertible loan from billionaire Warren Buffett and regain a key credit rating. A much improved investment performance also enabled the company to beat profit expectations for the first quarter, despite large natural catastrophe claims [...]
Cockerill eyes top spot as Moody keeps Tigers roaring April 18, 2010 NEWCASTLE (7) vs LEICESTER (31) LEICESTER boss Richard Cockerill has challenged his side to finish top of the Guinness Premiership after crushing Newcastle at Kingston Park. The Tigers ran in four first-half tries to leapfrog Northampton and reach the summit, although the Saints have a game in hand. England flanker Lewis Moody scored two tries [...]
CITY BOSS DRUMMING UP SUPPORT FOR TALENTED POLE-DANCING WIFE June 3, 2010 FANS of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, which has whipped up millions of Britons into a frenzy yet again ahead of this weekend’s final, will be surprised to know that one of the City’s own has a claim to fame via the show. Those who’ve been following the series may remember Alesia Vasmitzel, the scantily-clad blonde [...]
CITY A.M.’S STUNNING STRIMPEL PROBES THE STRANGE MALE BRAIN July 1, 2010 SUPER-GLAM Sketch last night played host to the debut book launch party of City A.M.’s very own lifestyle editor, Zoe Strimpel. Around 80 select guests were invited to celebrate the publication of What The Hell Is He Thinking?, Strimpel’s eighty-questions-and-answers guide to what goes on in the male brain. “Men are tough to figure out [...]