Good news boosts FTSE to 2008 levels January 12, 2011 BANKS and miners dominated the FTSE today, leading the index to another 31-month high as good news from Portugal’s bond sale boosted financial stocks, and miners tracked metals prices higher. Four FTSE 250 companies also posted double-digit gains as news that Gartmore agreed a £335.3m takeover deal by rival Henderson sent their shares higher. The [...]
Good news boosts FTSE to 2008 levels January 12, 2011 BANKS and miners dominated the FTSE today, leading the index to another 31-month high as good news from Portugal’s bond sale boosted financial stocks, and miners tracked metals prices higher. Four FTSE 250 companies also posted double-digit gains as news that Gartmore agreed a £335.3m takeover deal by rival Henderson sent their shares higher. The [...]
Wetherspoon sales growth accelerates January 19, 2011 JD Wetherspoon has reported accelerating sales growth in the second quarter of its fiscal year and said it was confident of a reasonable performance in 2011. The pub operator, which has nearly 800 premises across Britain, said sales at pubs open more than a year rose by three per cent in the 12 weeks to [...]
Greencore delays vote at Northern January 31, 2011 GREENCORE successfully postponed Northern Foods’ shareholder meeting yesterday, giving it more time to put together an improved offer to rival Boparan’s £342m takeover. Northern Foods and Greencore, which agreed to merge in November before Boparan intervened, held meetings with the Takeover Panel over the weekend to decide whether to cancel their planned votes on the [...]
Greencore delays vote at Northern January 31, 2011 GREENCORE successfully postponed Northern Foods’ shareholder meeting yesterday, giving it more time to put together an improved offer to rival Boparan’s £342m takeover. Northern Foods and Greencore, which agreed to merge in November before Boparan intervened, held meetings with the Takeover Panel over the weekend to decide whether to cancel their planned votes on the [...]
Supermarket chains halt Xmas orders in Scotland after weather takes its toll December 13, 2010 SUPERMARKETS and online shops – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda – have halted orders or suspended deliveries, after last week’s heavy snow weather brought the transport network to a standstill. Many are struggling to cope with a backlog of deliveries after strong downfalls. Couriers including Parcel Force and Home Delivery Network have also been affected, as [...]
WH Smith sales drop – but margins improve January 26, 2011 WH Smith said higher profit margins offset a bigger-than-expected fall in sales over Christmas, due to disruptions caused by severe winter weather. The newspaper, books and stationery group said sales at town centre stores open over a year fell seven per cent in the eight weeks to 22 January, excluding entertainment products, which it plans [...]
US corporate results cheer February 2, 2011 A BEVY of American corporations posted forecast-beating results yesterday, benefiting from a resurgence in advertising budgets and consumer spending over the Christmas period. Media giant News Corp said its quarterly net income had jumped from $254m (£157m) to $642m on the strength of its TV businesses, though a $500m settlement charge last year depressed comparable [...]
JJB Sports to ask for £50m January 3, 2011 TROUBLED retailer JJB Sports is expected to try and raise a further £50m from shareholders, according to reports over the weekend. The company has already tapped investors for £31.5m and asked its lender Bank of Scotland to waive imminent covenant tests on a £25m loan. Shareholders including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Invesco Perpetual [...]
The Scan: off to the clinic for a bit of a surprise… March 14, 2011 WHO knew that not going to work could be so stressful? The day had begun well, with an early morning cup of tea and Radio Four while the rest of the house slept. But then Noel had rolled out of bed in a foul mood, bemoaning the 363 days remaining until his next birthday. And [...]