Weaker firms bulk up Aim exodus May 17, 2009 Over half of the firms which have delisted from Aim since the start of last year have been tiddlers with a market cap of under £3m, research from Baker Tilly has shown, boosting hopes that the exodus will prove to be a valuable readjustment. Around 190 of the 361 firms which delisted between January 2008 [...]
Peterson faces 313m claim May 17, 2009 Administrators of collapsed hedge fund group Weavering Capital are pursuing its disgraced former manager, Magnus Peterson, for £313m. The massive size of the claim has been revealed after Peterson’s home was raided by investigators from the Serious Fraud Office last Friday. His flagship Macro Fixed Income fund was liquidated in February.
Diageo firm on late payments May 17, 2009 Drinks company Diageo has imposed harsher payment terms on its suppliers, risking a backlash from business secretary Lord Mandelson who had appealed for better treatment of small businesses. The Smirnoff owner has increased the number of days in which it commits to pay its suppliers to 30 days, from 45, saying the changes are necessary [...]
Carluccio’s bidder outed May 17, 2009 THE mystery bidder for the Italian restaurant and retail chain Carluccio’s is believed to be investment firm Hutton Collins. At the beginning of May, the group founded by chef Antonio Carluccio confirmed that it had received a preliminary approach but did not provide any details on the possible bidder. The group’s shares have recently jumped 25 [...]
We don’t know whether the equity rally is over May 17, 2009 IS the equity rally over? It’s the question on everybody’s lips and one we still don’t have the answer to. However, the balance of probability is that we may have already seen the best from this push higher. Indeed, I would go as far to suggest that this was just the warm up and that [...]
Strong results expected at SSL May 17, 2009 Condom maker SSL is expected to announce a strong set of full year results tomorrow. Analysts expect a 20 per cent increase in revenue to £636m and a 33 per cent jump in profit before tax to £76m. Shareholders are waiting with interest to hear how the company’s £90m investment last month into two eastern [...]
OMV and MOL in Iraqi fuel deal May 17, 2009 Two European energy companies helping build a pipeline which will cut the continent’s dependence on Russian gas said yesterday they will team up with Mideast producers to feed the route with Iraqi fuel. In a consortium announced in the United Arab Emirates, Austria’s OMV AG and Hungary’s MOL Nyrt said they will each take a [...]
LDV restart expected by July May 17, 2009 Rescued van maker LDV will restart production by July, it emerged yesterday, once its takeover deal is finalised. Malaysia’s Weststar agreed to buy the Birmingham-based company earlier this month. The UK government is providing a £5m four-week bridging loan, which will allow Malaysia to secure the funds it needs for a takeover. The government had [...]
Hugh Osmond faced with 200m Pearl share loss May 17, 2009 BUYOUT tycoon Hugh Osmond could lose around £200m on the value of his shares in the insurance giant Pearl as part of its emergency debt restructuring deal. Osmond is nailing down details on a deal, which will see its consortium of bankers, led by Lloyd’s Banking Group, restructure its £3bn debt. A source close to the [...]
Trio join the cash call craze May 17, 2009 A TRIO of property companies are setting their sights on fundraising this week to exploit opportunities created in the downturn. Great Portland Estates, Big Yellow Group and Shaftesbury have all been working with advisers on how to tap investors for extra cash. West End property specialist Great Portland Estates, is expected to announce a fundraising [...]