Lib Dems revise mansion tax November 30, 2009 THE Liberal Democrats have doubled the threshold at which they want homeowners to pay an annual “mansion tax”. Properties will now have to be worth at least £2m to incur a one per cent charge – the previous plan was to charge 0.5 per cent a year on properties worth more than £1m. Party leader [...]
THE LONDON REPORT November 30, 2009 BRITAIN’S leading share index shed 1.1 per cent yesterday, ending at session lows, dragged back by weakness in oil majors and banks on lingering anxiety over the impact of Dubai’s debt problems. By the close, the FTSE 100 was down 55.05 points at 5,190.68, its lowest closing level for three weeks. The blue chip index [...]
European shares in 3.3 per cent slump November 26, 2009 European shares slipped 3.3 per cent yesterday to record their biggest one-day percentage drop in seven months as concerns about debt problems in Dubai weighed on the market, with banks the major fallers. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares closed down 33.81 points at 988.14 – its lowest close in three weeks. “The [...]
DUBAI DEBT WORRIES ROCK WORLD MARKETS November 26, 2009 DEEPENING fears about Dubai’s debt problems shook European stock markets yesterday, with the FTSE 100 index suffering its worst one-day loss since March. The FTSE fell by 3.2 per cent, losing more than 170 points to 5,194.13, while leading indices in France and Germany were also down sharply. Wall Street was closed for Thanksgiving. Banking [...]
Concern over Dubai’s debts takes toll on Britain’s shares November 26, 2009 Britain’s top shares ended at a three-week closing low yesterday, pressured by hefty falls in the banking sector as concerns over Dubai’s ability to pay its debts took a toll on confidence. The FTSE 100 ended down 3.2 per cent, or 170.68 points, at 5,194.13, its lowest close since November 6, and losses on the [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS November 26, 2009 PZ CussonsThe personal care firm has appointed Richard Harvey, the former chief executive of insurance giant Aviva, as its new chairman-elect. Harvey became group chief executive of Norwich Union in 1998 and took up his role at Aviva after the merger of Norwich Union with CGU, initiating the re-branding of the group under the Aviva [...]
THE LONDON REPORT November 25, 2009 A flurry of US economic data and a rebound in metals prices helped push Britain’s top share index to a higher close yesterday, with Compass Group topping the blue-chip gainers list after results. The FTSE 100 ended up 40.85 points, or 0.8 per cent at 5,364.81, following a 0.6 per cent decline on Tuesday. Miners [...]
Kraft asks its bankers for exclusivity November 24, 2009 KRAFT has sealed “exclusivity” deals from the banks it is using to finance its £10.3bn ($17bn) bid for Cadbury – leaving other contenders with fewer lenders to bankroll their proposals. The US food giant has tied banks including Citigroup and Deutsche Bank into agreements where they cannot operate for its rivals. Family-owned Ferrero of Italy and US [...]
London market falls on back of revised USGDP figures November 24, 2009 BRITIAN’S leading share index ended 0.6 percent lower yesterday, with sentiment dampened by data showing the United States economy grew at a slower pace than previously thought, pressuring banks and commodity stocks. The FTSE index ended 31.54 points lower at 5,323.96, reversing earlier gains, to mirror falls on Wall Street after third quarter US economic [...]
THE LONDON REPORT November 23, 2009 BRITAIN’S top share index ended sharply higher yesterday, snapping a four-day losing streak, with commodity and banking stocks rallying after comments by a senior US Federal Reserve official. The FTSE 100 index finished up 104.09 points, or 2 per cent, at 5,355.50 and recorded its biggest one-day percentage rise in more than six weeks. The [...]