UK to get more gas from a Russian firm as Centrica extends deals with Gazprom May 13, 2015 The UK's dependency on gas from Russian firms just increased, after Centrica signed a deal with state energy giant Gazprom – as well as Norwegian rival Statoil – to ramp up the amount of gas it buys from the companies. Centrica, which owns British Gas, said it had extended its contracts with Statoil and Gazprom [...]
Tui share price rises as it promises 10pc profit growth May 13, 2015 The figures Fresh from its recent merger with its German owner, holiday giant Tui said this morning revenues grew 7.3 per cent to €6.9bn (£5bn) in the six months to the end of March, up from €6.4bn during the same period last year. Its loss on earnings before interest, taxation and amortisation fell 20 per cent, from a loss of [...]
SAB Miller says profits flat on strong dollar May 13, 2015 The figures One of the world's largest brewers, SAB Miller, said full-year revenue rose six per cent to £233.bn in the year to the end of March, minus the effects of adverse exchange rate movements. However on a reported basis, it fell by two per cent. Meanwhile, pre-tax profit was flat at $4.83bn, compared with $4.823bn a year earlier. [...]
UK house prices: Barratt Developments storms to highest ever number of forward sales May 13, 2015 Housebuilder Barratt Developments just beat its record for the highest number of forward sales. UK house price growth may have slid from the dizzying heights of last May, but Barratt is reaping the benefits of consistent market growth. The figures Throughout the 19 weeks to 10 May, Barratt said: “market conditions have remained strong throughout [...]
Admiral Group chief executive Henry Engelhardt to step down May 13, 2015 Insurer admiral has announced that chief executive Henry Engelhardt intends to step down in one year's time, and he'll be replaced by co-founder and chief operating officer David Stevens. Engelhardt, who has been with the company since it was first created in 1991, said "don't bury me yet, Guys!". "I still have 12 months on the job and [...]
UK law firm Gateley plans to pioneer London IPO May 12, 2015 A corporate law firm that counts Mothercare and West Ham as clients is hoping to break new ground by becoming the first British firm to float on the stock market. Gateley, which has offices at Paternoster Square, is hoping to raise £10m by listing shares on the alternative investment market (Aim). Read more: Gateley [...]
Lloyds halfway out of bailout with £10bn sale May 12, 2015 More than half of the government’s stake in Lloyds has now been sold back to private investors, raising more than £10bn for the Treasury so far, the government announced yesterday. The latest sale of £500m of shares takes the taxpayer’s stake to below 20 per cent, compared with 41 per cent when the bailout [...]
Gateley looks to outsiders in bid to bolster firm ahead of London IPO May 12, 2015 A corporate law firm tracing its roots back to the industrial revolution hopes to gain “first mover advantage” by becoming the first legal outfit in Britain to list on the stock market. Gateley, which was founded more than 200 years ago in Birmingham, is hoping to transform its corporate structure from a limited liability [...]
EasyJet share price slumps despite rise in profits as airline seeks to fly over April May 12, 2015 Shares in easyJet hit turbulence yesterday, despite the company announcing a pre-tax profit for the half year up to 31 March. The low-cost carrier announced a pre-tax profit of £7m for the six-month period, but its share price slumped, closing down 9.77 per cent, due to profit fears caused by a difficult April. [...]
Insurer Hiscox’s growth lifted by fewer disasters in first months of 2015 May 12, 2015 International specialist insurer Hiscox has reported a 12 per cent quarterly increase in gross written premiums (GWP), boosted by currency movements and fewer disasters. The London-listed company said premiums for the three months ending 31 March rose to £561.7m from £501.6m at the same time last year. Chief executive Bronek Masojada said: “It’s been an [...]