UKFI to delay bank stake sale to influence lending October 25, 2010 PRIME Minister David Cameron yesterday indicated that the government will opt to retain its stakes in the banks for a while longer in order to influence their SME (small and medium sized enterprise) lending policies, rather than selling them off as soon as possible to maximise value for the taxpayer. Cameron, speaking at the CBI’s [...]
Blacks fields potential buyers October 19, 2010 CAMPING and hiking retailer Blacks Leisure yesterday confirmed it has received several approaches to take over all or parts of its business. Shares in the company rose 25 per cent to 42.50p following the news that Blacks has taken on financial advisers McQueen to help field potential offers. The share price gives the company a [...]
A BETTER WAY TO PLAY THE POUND RALLY October 26, 2010 DIRECTOR OF CURRENCY RESEARCH, GFT YESTERDAY’S UK GDP data must have impressed even the most ardent cable bulls after it came in at twice the market consensus, increasing to 0.8 per cent versus 0.4 per cent expected. Growth was strong across the board and overall, the third quarter GDP grew at 2.8 per cent on [...]
PROPERTY NEWS August 26, 2010 BACK TO THE BOOM YEARS FOR PUTNEY The property boom years are back, at least in Putney. An eight-bedroom house in Heathview Gardens has just sold for £5.3m, one of the highest prices ever paid for a property in SW15. Russell White, franchisee of Winkworth Putney who handled the sale, said: “The Putney sales market [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING October 17, 2010 THE SUNDAYS The Sunday Telegraph LORD LAWSON URGES OSBORNE CUTS Lord Lawson of Blaby, the former Chancellor and a man used as a sounding board by George Osborne, has urged his successor to “be bold” when making cuts to expenditure in this week’s Comprehensive Spending Review. Lord Lawson said that in spite of fears of [...]
Morgan Sindall claims the first Connaught job September 9, 2010 CONSTRUCTION group Morgan Sindall struck a deal with Connaught’s administrator KPMG to acquire the bulk of its social housing repair operations last night, according to several people close to the agreement. Morgan Sindall is set to announce the coup to the stock market today, in a move that will secure jobs for around 2,500 of [...]
Barratt beats forecasts but warns of dip September 8, 2010 HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments said concerns about the economy and the lack of mortgage finance meant the market for new housing was still challenging as it reported better-than-expected full-year profits. “It’s early days in the autumn-selling season but so far private reservation rates are in line with expectations and prices are holding up,” chief executive Mark [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING December 1, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES AUSTRALIA’S GROWTH RATE STALLS IN THIRD QUARTER Australia’s economic growth rate slowed markedly in the third quarter to its weakest level in two years as higher interest rates cut into housing investment and the rise in the Australian dollar hit exports. The 0.2 per cent rise in gross domestic product compared with the [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING December 1, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES AUSTRALIA’S GROWTH RATE STALLS IN THIRD QUARTER Australia’s economic growth rate slowed markedly in the third quarter to its weakest level in two years as higher interest rates cut into housing investment and the rise in the Australian dollar hit exports. The 0.2 per cent rise in gross domestic product compared with the [...]
The head of the world’s largest law firm reveals his plans for expansion December 5, 2010 The new chairman of Baker & McKenzie has a tricky hand to play. Eduardo Leite, who began his three-year term at the beginning of last month, may lead over 10,000 staff (including 4,000 lawyers) spread over 40 countries in 68 offices. And the firm may have produced the biggest revenues in the industry this year [...]