Aegon unveils surprise loss and cash call August 13, 2009 AEGON, the Dutch insurer, yesterday reported a surprise loss in the second quarter and said it would ask markets for up to €1bn (£862m) to pay off part of its government bailout. The group, whose Aegon UK arm has two million customers across its life, pensions and asset management operations, saw its Dutch shares plummet [...]
House prices in Britain rise again in June June 30, 2009 HOUSE prices saw a monthly increase of 0.9 per cent in June, bringing the annual rate of decline to 9.3 per cent from 11.3 per cent in May, according to data published yesterday by Nationwide, which stoked optimism that the housing market has turned. The mortgage lender said that the three month rate of change, [...]
House prices in Britain rise again in June June 30, 2009 HOUSE prices saw a monthly increase of 0.9 per cent in June, bringing the annual rate of decline to 9.3 per cent from 11.3 per cent in May, according to data published yesterday by Nationwide, which stoked optimism that the housing market has turned. The mortgage lender said that the three month rate of change, [...]
Plenty for markets to feast on as firms update investors July 19, 2009 REPORTING season is definitely upon us and this week offers up a cornucopia of corporate reports for the markets to devour. Dominos Pizza UK & Ireland serves up the first slice today and investors will be keen to hear whether the firm has continued to be a recession winner. It reported a nearly 10 per [...]
Penguin chops 100 UK staff July 7, 2009 CONSUMER book publisher Penguin yesterday confirmed that it will axe up to 100 jobs in its London offices as it implements a series of changes designed to position the company for the digital era. The Pearson-owned publisher has entered into a period of consultation with employees regarding the dismissal of around 10 per cent of its [...]
Penguin chops 100 UK staff July 7, 2009 CONSUMER book publisher Penguin yesterday confirmed that it will axe up to 100 jobs in its London offices as it implements a series of changes designed to position the company for the digital era. The Pearson-owned publisher has entered into a period of consultation with employees regarding the dismissal of around 10 per cent of its [...]
House market enjoys some spring stability May 31, 2009 HOUSE prices remained stable for the first time in 20 months last month, according to the latest survey by Hometrack. House prices remained unchanged in May, compared to month on month declines since the housing slump. A combination of stronger sales volumes, continued buyer interest and a dwindling supply of property for sale has provided [...]
Jones puts his house in order as loan row grows July 9, 2009 Embattled JJB executive chairman Sir David Jones has put his main home on the market, in the midst of a storm over a £1.5m loan from Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley. It was revealed yesterday that Jones has been trying to sell his seven bedroomed home in West Yorkshire for three months. The property features [...]
Linklaters’ Mr Tough Guy on why the next two months are key for the City September 28, 2009 THE legal profession might be going through one of its biggest slumps in a decade – but you would not know that looking at Linklaters’ senior partner David Cheyne. A small, dapper man, he is relaxed and all smiles as he sits in a tastefully furnished ground floor meeting room at the firm’s Silk Street [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS July 5, 2009 HEINEKENBroker JP Morgan yesterday raised its price target for beer brewer Heineken from €23.00 (£19.70) to €26.00, forecasting an improvement in beer volumes during this year and next. JP Morgan added it did not believe that Heineken is again the “cheap value, recovery player” in the sector, but said that the worst is over in [...]