Asos hit as rate of growth dips in tough times April 26, 2012 ONLINE fashion retailer Asos yesterday reported a double whammy of a slowdown in sales growth, coupled with a drop in prices due to the reduction in spending power of its teenage customers. In the company’s fourth trading quarter in the three months to 31 March UK sales nudged up by only four per cent year-on-year. [...]
FTSE lifted by Shell and Barclays boost April 26, 2012 The FTSE 100 opened on the front foot today with gains fuelled by the energy sector after Shell reported encouraging fourth quarter profits. In banking Barclays announced a 22 per cent rise in first quarter earnings, which also helped to inject some momentum into the market. Investors shrugged off yesterday’s bleak news that the UK [...]
LONDON REPORT April 22, 2012 UK investors are set for a busy week with a slew of earnings both here and on Wall Street, the release of Britain’s quarterly GDP rate and a decision from the Fed on the US Bank rate. Both the Nationwide Housing Prices report and Nationwide Consumer Confidence report are due out this week and today’s [...]
BEST of the BROKERS April 3, 2012 KCOM JP Morgan has upgraded the communications firm to “overweight” from “neutral” with an 80p target, arguing that its recent share performance is unwarranted. JP Morgan points to the firms’ “attractive returns” and “solid operations”. SHIRE PHARMA UBS reiterates its “buy” rating on the biopharmaceutical firm, with a target price of 2,250p. The bad news [...]
Vive la revolution in online shopping March 29, 2012 It wasn’t long ago that people winced at the thought of ordering a book online, let alone something as complex and personal as a suit. But a new crop of retailers have perfected the formula and online shopping for high-end menswear is amongst the fastest growing areas in the retail sector. The internet now accounts [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS February 7, 2012 HALFORDS Panmure Gordon has upgraded the car and bicycle parts retailer from “hold” to “buy” and raised its target price to 375p from 300p, despite downgrading its pre-tax profit forecasts by eight and 10 per cent respectively for the next two years. The upgrade is made on the basis that the broker expects Halfords to [...]
ASOS BOUNCES BACK AS IT POSTS STRONG DECEMBER TAKINGS January 19, 2012 ASOS, the online fashion retailer, kicked the retail gloom to report a 46 per cent rise in sales in the third quarter boosted by rapid growth overseas and a solid performance in its domestic market. UK sales growth bounced back to 10 per cent in the second quarter from one per cent in the previous [...]
HOW TO WEAR IT: THE BURNS NIGHT KILT January 18, 2012 Whatever you think of Scottish independence, the traditions of our Northern neighbours occupy an exalted position the UK over. But when it comes to the ultimate piece of Scottish fashion – and statement of manhood – many a non-clansman feels confused. With Burns Night on its way (25 January), we asked a few Scots what [...]
Look dazzling for your Xmas bash December 8, 2011 MOST of us get ready for festive bashes in the loos at work – after a crazy day. We certainly don’t have time to spare primping for mid-week dos. The key is having the outfit ready to go, but even more importantly, having the right makeup for instant glamour and shine. At the end of [...]
MUST HAVES December 1, 2011 CRAB HAT FROM PLAY.COM, £13 Stay warm at Christmas with this knitted crab hat. Cosy and cool. FANTASTIC 4 OMNIBUS, £70 This 1,084-page beast will fill you in on the classic era of the Marvel heroes. APPLE IPAD ANDY WARHOL CASE, 13” SLEEVE, £49.99 One of the Apple Store’s more hipster-friendly products. store.apple.com/uk BURTON CLASH [...]