US corporate news continues to rule July 19, 2009 BEN Bernanke, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, will make his semi-annual report on monetary policy tomorrow at 2pm London time. It’s expected to take a fairly upbeat overall tone on the state of the economy, but the markets will be focussing on the implications of his thoughts on inflation, and the merest hint of [...]
Home Retail Group fights off an investor rebellion over exec pay July 2, 2009 HOME Retail Group, the owner of Argos and Homebase, yesterday saw off an investor rebellion over proposed changes to pay plans at its annual shareholders meeting. A resolution to approve a new executive bonus scheme, which will see some managers paid up to 150 per cent of their salaries in cash, was passed. However, 35.7 [...]
Time is right for Broadgate stake sale August 18, 2009 NOTHING symbolised the post Big Bang world in the City more than the development of the Broadgate complex near Liverpool Street and Moorgate in the 1980s. The ice rink and the gleaming buildings fitted out for the likes of Shearson Lehman and SGWarburg were the focal point for the new City, before even the first [...]
Land Securities sells its Portman House office to Libyan investor July 1, 2009 PROPERTY giant Land Securities said yesterday it has sold its Portman House retail and office building on Oxford Street to a Libyan state-backed investor for £155m. The multi-let building in the heart of the West End shopping district has been bought by Kinloss Property, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Libyan Foreign Investment Company. The [...]
Miners, banks and oil groups emerge as stars of the index July 14, 2009 LONDON’S top share index closed up 0.9 per cent yesterday, led by miners, banks and oil producers as impressive corporate data from the United States outweighed mixed economic figures. The FTSE ended 35.55 points higher at 4,237.68, extending Monday’s 1.8 per cent gains. The index has risen more than 23 per cent since hitting a [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING August 2, 2009 THE SUNDAYSThe Sunday TelegraphDSG CHAIR ABANDONS CRYSTAL BALLThe outgoing chairman of DSG International, the Currys owner, has described the reduction in the retailer’s market size as “painful” and admitted he failed to see the downturn coming. Sir John Collins said he told John Browett, the electrical retailer’s chief executive, not to worry about the prospect [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 9, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMESSTRATEGIC REVAMP FOR LLOYD’SLloyd’s of London has begun the biggest strategic review it has undertaken this decade in an attempt to ensure the more than 320-year-old insurance market does not fail in exploiting the gaps in the market thrown up by the financial crisis. The institution, which deals in insurance risks from all over the [...]
Ocado considers London flotation by early 2010 June 17, 2009 ONLINE grocery retailer Ocado is considering an IPO, City A.M. can confirm, in a drastic u-turn by its finance director Jason Gissing. Sources close to the firm said it would use the capital from a London IPO to fund international expansion, after several foreign retailers expressed interest. It is considering floating on the stock exchange [...]
Ocado considers London flotation by early 2010 June 17, 2009 ONLINE grocery retailer Ocado is considering an IPO, City A.M. can confirm, in a drastic u-turn by its finance director Jason Gissing. Sources close to the firm said it would use the capital from a London IPO to fund international expansion, after several foreign retailers expressed interest. It is considering floating on the stock exchange [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 30, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES VW BRACED FOR “ZERO GROWTH” IN CAR MARKETVolkswagen warned yesterday that it could face flat sales in 2010 as Europe’s largest carmaker reported a sharp profit drop in the second quarter. The third-biggest carmaker behind General Motors and Toyota said it expected “zero growth” in the car market next year. PRIVATE EQUITY SUFFERED [...]