Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe acquitted by Egyptian courts June 11, 2015 Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe has been acquitted by an Egyptian court of all charges in a legal case linked to the supermarket's investment in a business in the country 16-years ago. The chief of one of Britain's biggest supermarkets was sentenced to two years in prison in April, over allegations of embezzlement after being found guilty [...]
Nestle faces rejection over KitKat copyright claim after European Court of Justice ruled against trademark appeal June 11, 2015 KitKat copycats could be on the prowl after the top lawyer at the European Court of Justice decided not to give Nestle a break over its attempts to trademark the plain four-fingered bar. The case dates back to 2010 when KitKat owner Nestle sought to register the shape of the four-bar treat without the [...]
Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s three tips for small business owners June 11, 2015 If there's one person small business owners would want to learn from, the richest man of the world's second-largest economy who was also the guiding force behind the biggest IPO in history wouldn't be far down the last. Luckily, Jack Ma has shared his three tips for small business owners in a conversation with American [...]
Royal Mail share price drops as government nets £750m from sale of 15 per cent stake June 11, 2015 The government sold off half its remaining stake in the Royal Mail this morning at 500p per share – half again as much as its original price when it listed in October 2013. Read more: Lessons learned as final parcel of Royal Mail goes on sale The offer netted the government £750m, leaving it with [...]
The Competition and Markets Authority issues “final order” demanding Ryanair sell its Aer Lingus holding to British Airways parent IAG June 11, 2015 The Competition and Markets Authority has issued a final order that Ryanair sell down its stake in Aer Lingus, reducing its holding from 29.8 per cent to five per cent – but Ryanair has hit back at what it calls a "ridiculous" ruling. It follows a decision by the Irish government last month to [...]
UK Oil and Gas Investments share price slides after funding announcement June 11, 2015 Shares in the firm exploring oil reserves in the Weald Basin near Gatwick airport have opened lower following a new round of funding. UK Oil and Gas Investments shares were as much as four per cent lower in early trading after it announced a share sale raised £6m after Wednesday's market close. Shares closed down [...]
Mulberry share price rises as it shows signs of recovery despite profits plunging 74 per cent June 11, 2015 Mulberry is starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, despite posting a loss for its full-year trading this morning. The figures: The bag brand's pre-tax profits plummeted 74 per cent to £4.5m – but this was actually better than expectations. After tax the British firm made a loss of £1.4m, down [...]
Argos sales fall 3.9 pc in disappointing quarter for Home Retail Group June 11, 2015 Argos sales for the first quarter of 2015 were disappointing, with market declines leading to sales in electrical products falling. The figures Like-for-like sales at Argos declined 3.9 per cent to £846m over the 13 weeks to the end of May, with total sales falling 2.6 per cent on 2014, after "declines in key electrical and seasonal product [...]
HSBC’s job cuts and Asian pivot could have “negative” impact on credit rating, Fitch warns June 11, 2015 Ratings agency Fitch has warned that HSBC risks having its credit downgraded over its new strategy revealed this week. HSBC is looking to cut $5bn (£3.25bn) through a number of initiatives, including cutting around 25,000 jobs. It is also exiting Turkey and reducing its operations in Brazil, and planning to focus more energy and [...]
Big four supermarkets will keep getting squeezed says Moody’s June 10, 2015 The leading big four supermarkets are expected to lose another four per cent of their market share by 2020 to discounters Aldi and Lidl, as competition in the grocery retail market intensifies. A report published today by credit rating agency Moody’s predicts Aldi and Lidl’s combined market share will reach 12-15 per cent by 2020, [...]