Summer of strikes looms at BA as job cuts look certain June 9, 2009 BRITISH AIRWAYS’ (BA) chief executive Willie Walsh sought to soft-peddle its staff’s strike threats yesterday, saying an agreement would be reached with unions. But the airline boss refused to rule out jobs losses. The news comes as the ailing airline looks to axe over 2,000 jobs, as it tries to weather the financial storm. “It’s [...]
Government housing data provides further cause for market optimism June 9, 2009 THE DEPARTMENT of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was yesterday the latest to announce improving data for the UK housing market. Between March and April there was a rise of 1.1 per cent in the prices index of properties bought, putting the price of an average UK house at £189,215, compared to £187,193 a month [...]
WILL DITCHING CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER HELP LLOYDS RECOVER? June 9, 2009 ALEX POTTER COLLINS STEWART“Lloyds Banking Group was close to dominating the British high street and I’m sure that’s a concern for European anti-trust authorities, so closing these branches may be a practical move to help with that. It will also help a little with streamlining. There’s a recession on and they need to cut their [...]
Commerzbank puts Kleinwort Benson for sale June 9, 2009 ONE of the City’s most venerable private banks, Kleinwort Benson, is to be put on the market this week by its parent Commerzbank. Goldman Sachs has been appointed to manage its disposal and the group has received interest from several parties believed to be Standard Chartered, Royal Bank of Canada and Schroders. As part of [...]
Rok wins contracts worth 90m June 9, 2009 Building maintenance company Rok said yesterday it had won eight new contracts that are expected to generate revenue of £90m over the next four years. The new contracts were awarded by logistics firm Wincanton, support services provider Craegmoor Healthcare and Bracknell Forest Council, among others. The firm said the contracts brought the total anticipated value [...]
Brulines profits despite pub turmoil June 9, 2009 Beer flow monitoring systems manufacturer Brulines yesterday said profits and revenue rose over the past year as pubs concentrate on maximising efficiency amid the economic turmoil. Aim-listed Brulines posted a 19.6 per cent rise in full-year adjusted pre-tax profit, while revenue rose 11.7 per cent to £19.1m. The firm proposed a 7 per cent increase [...]
Stagecoach bucks leisure downturn June 9, 2009 Arts school company Stagecoach Theatre Arts yesterday said it expects pre-tax profit for the year to be in line with market expectations, despite opening fewer new schools due to the limited availability of bank finance. Stagecoach said increased fees from existing schools had offset the decline in new openings.
Fiat says that Chrysler sale will go ahead June 9, 2009 ITALIAN carmaker Fiat said yesterday it would proceed with its Chrysler deal, even after the supreme court delayed the sale of the US car giant’s assets. The US administration haswarned that Fiat could renege on its deal to buy 35 per cent of the carmaker if the deal is not closed by mid-June. Richard Mourdock, [...]
Greene King swoops on 11 Punch pubs June 9, 2009 EMBATTLED pub group Punch Taverns yesterday disposed of 11 pubs in a £30m deal with rival firm Greene King. The acquisition comes after Greene King raised £207m from shareholders to take advantage of cut-price assets in the pub sector. The 11 pubs generated earnings before interest and tax of £3.55m in the year to end [...]
Final Lloyd’s of London firm set to leave the FTSE 100 June 9, 2009 FTSE INTERNATIONAL is expected to confirm tonight that Amlin will be demoted from the FTSE 100, the last Lloyd’s of London insurers to leave the index. Based on last night’s share prices, pub company Whitbread and power station operator Drax Group are likely to join the insurer on the FTSE 250. Predicted to move back [...]