Service companies key to City’s business success December 20, 2009 In light of recent headlines it is hard to believe that London’s ongoing reputation as a world class financial centre depends on anything other than tax and regulation but I assure you it is true. One of the City’s traditional advantages, especially over emerging markets, is the quality of its local services – firms and [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS December 20, 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers The accountancy firm has appointed Martin Caddick to lead its risk and business continuity management services team. Caddick joins from insurance broking and risk advisory firm Marsh, where he developed a successful business continuity practice and worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies in the UK and overseas. He also previously held director roles at [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS December 20, 2009 FORTH PORTS Investec Securities kept its recommendation for Forth Ports as “buy”. Investec says the ports group should deliver robust business in a challenging economic environment, and praised the group’s resilience, thanks to a high level of contract cover and spread of commodities handled. The target price is 1,500p. ARIGHTMOVE Collins Stewart reiterated its “buy” [...]
Dubai World creditors expect request for a standstill agreement at meeting December 20, 2009 Bankers expect Dubai World to make a formal request for a standstill on its $26bn (£16.1bn) debt at today’s creditor meeting, but it could be more than a month before banks agree, bankers have revealed. Banks are expected to support Dubai World’s request, but what happens next will depend on the information they receive about [...]
BA STRIKE OFF BUT UNION FIGHTS ON December 17, 2009 A WINTER walk-out by cabin crew at ailing airline British Airways was yesterday declared illegal by the High Court. The Court’s judge Mrs Justice Cox sided with the carrier, saying that the Unite union had not correctly balloted its members on the strike action. BA had argued that the union took votes from staff who [...]
Bernanke’s nomination approved December 17, 2009 BEN Bernanke’s nomination to a second term as head of the US Federal Reserve was approved by a Senate panel yesterday despite fierce opposition from some lawmakers. Members of the Senate Banking Committee voted 16 to seven in favour of Bernanke continuing in his role following a two-hour debate that was full of both praise [...]
Mobile tie-up December 17, 2009 THE proposed merger of Orange and T-Mobile could curb competition and hurt consumers, regulator Ofcom has warned. Ofcom said it was satisfied that consumers were well served thanks to competition between the country’s five mobile carriers, but this situation could change if the merger were to go ahead. The regulator has no direct authority to [...]
It will be easy to lose money this year December 17, 2009 ONE of the great paradoxes of 2009 was that economic meltdown went hand in hand with strong gains for many investors. After a disastrous few months when everybody was pricing in the end of civilisation, stock markets bounced back, house prices started to rise again and many traders made vast returns. As I wrote yesterday, [...]
Tube Lines in £1.5bn hole December 17, 2009 TUBE Lines chairman David Begg said last night he was frustrated his chief executive Dean Finch is leaving the underground maintenence firm to join transport group National Express. Begg said: “We tried to keep hold of him but National Express made him an offer we couldn’t compete with.” Finch only joined Tube Lines, which maintains [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING December 17, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES STRICKEN SCOTTISH AIRLINE’S £30M IN QUESTION Administrators of Globespan, the collapsed Scottish airline that has left thousands of passengers stranded abroad, were investigating last night why £30m of its funds were being held by E-Clear, the company that handles its credit card transactions. Bruce Cartwright, of PwC, said he understood that about half [...]