Deutsche Bank strategist confirms Game of Thrones party with dress up and “plotting world domination” April 7, 2014 A glimpse into the goings on at a global investment bank – and it’s not all money and strategy. In a morning research note, Deutsche Bank reveals that it’s not gold, cement company mergers or Eurozone investor confidence that’s gripped it, but the latest Game of Thrones episode. It begins, thanks to strategists Jim Reid [...]
Altice reaches deal to buy Carlyle and Cinven stake in Numericable April 7, 2014 The French cable and telecommunications provider Altice has announced it’s agreed with Carlyle Cable Investment and Cinven Group to buy their combined 34.6 per cent stake in cable operator Numericable Group. The news comes ahead of Altice’s merger with SFR, which it’s buying from Vivendi, and will take Altice’s ownership to 74.6 per cent. The [...]
What you need to know before the open April 7, 2014 A late selloff on US markets Friday is expected to mean a lower open for European bourses today, despite a strong finish last week. Data in this morning show industrial production in Germany expanded by more than expected in February – by 0.4 per cent. This was marginally less than the 0.7 per cent growth [...]
Robust results for Cranswick as pig rearing grows April 7, 2014 Cooked meats producer Cranswick has reported another solid set of results, despite tougher market conditions. Against a backdrop of a weaker UK grocery market and record pig price levels, total sales increased 13 per cent last year, with underlying sales (which excludes bolt-on acquisition activity) up 12 per cent, according to a trading update. The [...]
Complaints about energy companies surge by 224pc April 7, 2014 The bad news just keeps on coming for Britain's energy companies. The number of complaints about energy providers has surged by 224 per cent for the first three months of 2014, according to the sector's ombudsman. Complaints from distressed customers rose from 3,277 for the first three months of 2013 to 10,628 for the same [...]
Cement giants confirm mega-merger April 7, 2014 Cement giants Holcim and Lafarge have confirmed the details of a merger which could create a company with a combined market value of $50bn (£30bn). The deal will be structured as a public exchange offer initiated by Swiss company Holcim, with an exchange ratio of one Holcim share for one Lafarge share. They will also [...]
Falling tech shares hit Asian markets April 7, 2014 Asian markets have taken a hit from a combination of declining Japanese tech shares and a stronger yen. The fall in tech shares follows similar moves seen on Wall Street and comes ahead of e-commerce giant Alibaba's initial public offering, widely expected to be one of the biggest offerings ever seen. However, it is not [...]
Optimism grips London’s firms April 7, 2014 LONDON firms are at their most bullish in a quarter of a century, riding high as the UK’s economy recovery is buoyed by the capital, according to a major survey. The London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) reveals today that 66 per cent of firms expect turnover to rise in the year ahead, the [...]
BlackRock to prepare firm for Fink exit April 7, 2014 BLACKROCK is set to reshuffle its senior staff as part of a long-term succession plan for its founder and chief executive Larry Fink. The world’s biggest asset manager, with $4.3 trillion (£2.6 trillion) under management, is shifting at least 10 senior executives in a bid to give younger staff added responsibilities. Fink, 61, has no [...]
The Olympic Park reopens to the public April 7, 2014 Visitors to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park made a splash yesterday as the green space was opened to the public for the first time since the London 2012 Games. The east London park, which is the biggest to open in the capital for a century, features interactive water fountains and an adventure playground. Visitors can also [...]