BHP optimistic for the longer term outlook as profits fall August 20, 2013 Mining giant BHP Billiton has reported a 15 per cent fall in profit and a 30 per cent fall in earnings per share for the first half of the year (release). Earnings per share fell to 204.4 cents (130.6p) from 289.6 cents – less than half the 429.1 cents reported in 2011. In the face [...]
A Range Rover that is truly sporty August 19, 2013 It’s the fastest, most agile SUV the manufacturer has ever built. We put it through its paces… in a jumbo jet They’re known for coming up with imaginative off-road courses, but the Land Rover Experience guys have outdone themselves this time. It’s fantastically silly. I’m driving the new Range Rover Sport SDV6 model up an [...]
Not convinced? August 19, 2013 HERE ARE THE ALTERNATIVES BMW X5 £60,830 The X5 xDrive M50d SUV model is BMW’s rival to the Range Rover Sport. Powered by a V6 diesel engine, it has an impressive power output of 381bhp but it’s a good deal faster with a spritely 0 to 62mph acceleration time of just 5.4 seconds. Its fuel [...]
BHP reveals more details of corruption investigation August 16, 2013 Multinational mining company BHP Billiton has released a statement regarding the potential legal action it is facing from US authorities over a possible breach of anti-corruption laws. BHP has previously disclosed it is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding now-terminated exploration and development efforts, as well as hospitality provided as part of [...]
Not convinced? August 12, 2013 HERE ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES Kia Proceed, £20,595 The 1.6-litre diesel Kia Proceed costs less than the Leon SC but it can’t match it for power and performance. It takes 10.5 seconds to reach 62mph and its top speed is a comparatively pedestrian 122mph. Its economy and CO2 emissions also compare unfavourably (65.7mpg (combined) and 112g/km). [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 12 August 2013 August 11, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Air alliances rule out Heathrow move The world’s biggest airlines have ruled out moving from Heathrow to another UK airport, bolstering the chances of a highly contentious third runway being built at Europe’s busiest hub. All three global airline alliances have said they want to stay, even though some options being considered by [...]
Best of the Brokers for 2 August 2013 August 1, 2013 ENTERPRISE INNS Deutsche Bank has raised the pub company’s target price by 40 per cent to 190p as it reaffirmed its “buy” rating. The bank’s analysts said that the recent good weather should see a return to profit in the chain’s third quarter results, due next week. KINGFISHER A recent meeting with Kingfisher’s management failed [...]
Potash company breaks up cartel July 30, 2013 URALKALI has dismantled the world’s largest potash cartel in a move that it expects to slash prices by 25 per cent, heralding a reshaped industry and pummelling shares of companies that produce the key fertiliser ingredient. The break-up of the Belarus Potash Company (BPC), a joint venture with Belarussian partner Belaruskali, could cause a price [...]
Global fertiliser prices forecast to plunge as Russian potash cartel breaks down July 30, 2013 The break-up of a Russian potash cartel could spark a global price war among fertiliser producers, its chief executive has said. Uralkali pulled out of the Belarus Potash Corporation (BPC) after accusing its partner Belaruskali – which controls around 47 per cent of the global potash market – of selling fertiliser outside of the marketing [...]
CNBC Comment: Ethical vigilance isn’t easy for Church July 29, 2013 MANAGING God’s money would test the patience of Job. The archbishop of Canterbury discovered this last week when his attempt to take on payday lender Wonga exposed the Church of England to accusations of hypocrisy. Justin Welby locked horns with Wonga because the company’s interest charges attract legitimate concerns. But what came next was the [...]