JD Sports shares climb as sales continue to rise November 29, 2013 JD Sports saw a 5.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales between August and November, it said in an interim statement this morning. Shares have risen over five per cent this morning, following the news. The sports retailer had reported the same rise in sales in the 26 weeks to 3 August. The board says [...]
Carillion lands Sunderland contract worth a potential £800m November 29, 2013 Construction services company Carillion has been selected by Sunderland city council to form a strategic partnership and deliver a range of property services for the city's regeneration plan. The contract will focus on the redevelopment of sites across the city, worth £100m in the first eight years and potentially £800m over the next 20 years. [...]
Netherlands stripped of AAA S&P credit rating November 29, 2013 Ratings agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) has cut its credit rating for the Netherlands by one notch to AA+, from the country's previous rating of AAA. S&P has cited weak growth as a reason for the downgrade and says it doesn't expect the Dutch economy to reach 2008 levels before 2017. Speaking to CNBC, finance [...]
Rio Tinto to suspend alumina production at Gove refinery November 29, 2013 Mining giant Rio Tinto has said this morning that it is to suspend production at its Gove alumina refinery, as the current market environment means it's no longer a viable business. The news comes a day after the firm led the FTSE, having announced that it's to save $3bn on its iron ore ramp up. [...]
Hammerson announces $443m US placement November 29, 2013 British property development and investment company Hammerson has announced a deal with nine US institutions for a placement of $443m (£271m). The placement will come in the form of seven 10 and 12 year notes, which will come in two tranches during 2014. The sale will in part fund the company's upcoming bond maturities including [...]
What you need to know before the open – 29/11 November 29, 2013 European markets saw another positive day yesterday, despite concerns over the strength of recovery in the euro area. The Dax continued to make record highs during trading. Data-wise, German retail sales missed expectations this morning, whilst UK house prices have climbed at their fastest rate for three years. French consumer spending fell 0.2 per cent in [...]
German spending slides on post-election uncertainty November 29, 2013 Retail sales fell for the second month in a row in Germany, declining 0.8 per cent in October and missing expectations of a 0.5 per cent rise. September's decrease was revised from 0.4 per cent to 0.2 per cent. The latest numbers see a year-on-year decrease of 0.2 per cent, following expectations of a [...]
Lloyds Banking Group appoints new executive director November 29, 2013 Lloyds Banking Group has announced the appointment of Juan Colombas as executive director. Colombas will take up the position 29 November 2013. Chairman, Sir Winfried Bischoff, commenting on today's announcement said: We are delighted to welcomeJuan to the Board. Juan has significant banking and risk management experience. He has served as the Group's Chief Risk [...]
Fastest rise in UK house prices since July 2010 November 29, 2013 (Nationwide) The Nationwide UK house price index rose by 0.6 per cent in November, taking the annual rate of increase to 6.5 per cent – the biggest seen since July 2010. October's month-on-month increase was 1.0 per cent, whilst year-on-year the index rose 5.8 per cent. November's figures follow the news yesterday that the Bank [...]
Government urges energy companies to freeze prices until 2015 November 29, 2013 The coalition has called on the big six energy companies to freeze their prices until 2015. According to Sky news sources, energy secretary Ed Davey has written to the country's six largest energy companies asking them to freeze their prices until the general election. Should there be no dramatic rise in the wholesale price of [...]