Outflows dent Henderson’s bottom line February 24, 2010 ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN fund manager Henderson reported a dip in profits for 2009 as outflows countered the effect of recovering markets and positive investment performance. The group, which last year took over struggling rival New Star, said recurring pre-tax profits after amortisation and charges was £63m, versus the £80.3m posted in 2008. Henderson said that at the [...]
Norris in US extradition court ruling February 24, 2010 IAN Norris, former Morgan Crucible boss, is facing extradition to the US after losing a battle in the Supreme Court over allegations of obstructing justice. The judgement, handed down yesterday morning saw the Supreme Court unanimously dismiss Norris’ appeal of the extradition, which will see him further tried by the American authorities. Norris, who is [...]
Blacks head for talks with shareholder Sports Direct February 24, 2010 BLACKS Leisure’s financial advisers were yesterday in talks with their counterparts at Sports Leisure in an attempt to strike a funding deal for the company that will prove attractive to both sides and prevent a damaging clash amongst shareholders of the outdoor sports clothing group. The talks commenced immediately after yesterday’s shareholders meeting at Blacks [...]
AKIO TOYODA SAYS SORRY February 24, 2010 DISGRACED Toyota chief executive Akio Toyoda told the US Oversight and Governmental Reform Committee yesterday that he was “deeply sorry” for the accidents and deaths caused by its faulty vehicles. US law makers grilled Toyoda on the spate of fatal casualties over recent months, with some accusing Toyota of become “safety deaf”.
Swiss speed up US tax deal February 24, 2010 Switzerland will ask parliament to turn a deal with Washington that got bank UBS off the hook in a tax evasion case into binding law, plugging a legal hole that is stopping Berne from honoring the agreement. To settle a bitter dispute, UBS and the Swiss government agreed in August to disclose 4,450 secret accounts [...]
Accor details plans to split February 24, 2010 French hotel and services group Accor laid out its plan to split this year, with hotels keeping the bulk of group debt and non-strategic assets up for sale to cut borrowing and help fund growth. Accor wants to separate its hotels from its prepaid services business, which provides luncheon and childcare vouchers. The split is [...]
EBRD suffers fresh losses February 24, 2010 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said yesterday it suffered a net loss of €746m in 2009, its second successive year in the red, on higher provisions for possible losses on its loans portfolio. The EBRD said its 2009 loss – higher than the €602m net loss of the previous year – was also [...]
Commerzbank is strong on cash February 24, 2010 Commerzbank has more than enough capital to support its business, chief executive Martin Blessing said yesterday, downplaying concerns that Germany’s second-largest bank may need to raise fresh capital this year. “Our core capital ratio at the end of 2009 was a good 10.5 per cent. That is more than we need for our client-driven, long-term [...]
Google faces probe over bias against rival firms February 24, 2010 Google is being investigated by the European Commission over allegations it manipulates its search results to hinder opponents. It is claimed rival companies’ websites are demoted to the lower leagues of the world’s biggest search engine, meaning they receive far fewer hits. Google revealed complaints have been made to the Commission regarding its practices by [...]
Crisis cripples global trade February 24, 2010 GLOBAL trade contracted by an eye-watering 12 per cent in 2009 the head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Pascal Lamy revealed yesterday during a visit to Brussels. The latest estimate from the international organisation is a sharp downward revision from the 10 per cent previously expected by the WTO. “World trade has also been [...]