Actif tones down its branding October 20, 2005 Actif, which distributes Elle clothing in Britain, has been forced into a French Connection-style rethink of its aggressive branding. Just as French Connection has toned down its use of the risque FCUK logo on its products, Actif chief executive Mark Evans said yesterday that it was going down the same route as shoppers were beginning [...]
Rio to expand in Australia October 20, 2005 The world’s second largest mining company Rio Tinto said it will spend $1.35bn (£768m) to expand its iron ore production at two of its key operations in Western Australia. The company said it would invest $530m expanding its Yandicogina mine to boost its output from 36m tons to 52m tons. It will also expand its [...]
MFI under pressure as shares dip October 20, 2005 Confidence in MFI’s stricken furniture chain was undermined further yesterday after a damning analyst report sent the shares into a nosedive. Richard Ratner, of Seymour Pierce, quoted “reliable sources” stating that the British showroom business had sought an extension of credit terms from trade suppliers. He also suggested that the division could be “put into [...]
FTSE falls to lowest level since July October 20, 2005 The FTSE fell to its lowest level since July as fears about rising interest rates wiped out value on stock exchanges across Europe. It emerged yesterday that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep British interest rates at 4.5 per cent. Analysts said that this signalled a rate cut to coincide with November’s [...]
US suffers shock inflation increase October 19, 2005 Inflation trends differed markedly on either side of the Atlantic yesterday, with the American producer prices (PPI) confounding analysts with their biggest gain in 15 years, but Britain got off lightly with a consumer price index (CPI) level of just 2.5 per cent. The American PPI shot up by 1.9 per cent on last month, [...]
Violet Hue October 18, 2005 Tchenguiz is the last man standing in the race for Somerfield. Another one bites the dust. Amid talk of a high-street bloodbath in the run-up to Christmas, Somerfield has joined the lengthening list of retailers opting to leave the glare of the stock market. Of course, the announcement surprised no one. Somerfield has been on [...]
Hikma plans to float on LSE next month October 18, 2005 Jordanian pharmaceutical company Hikma became the second foreign drugs firm in a week to announce its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange. The multinational group, which specialises in generic, branded and injectable products, is to list on the main market early November with a price range of 265p to 330p, valuing it at [...]
Barbie sales slip by a third in US October 18, 2005 Shares in toy giant Mattel plummeted to their lowest level in almost five years yesterday after the toymaker admitted sales of its iconic Barbie doll had fallen by a third in America. Mattel blamed intense price competition as well as rising oil prices, which affect shipping costs as well as the cost of the plastics [...]
Hawkish deputy governor quits October 18, 2005 Bank of England deputy governor Sir Andrew Large has resigned. He will be replaced by career civil servant Sir John Gieve. Large, who is leaving for the private sector, is commonly regarded as one of the more hawkish members of the all important Monetary Policy Committee. He voted against August’s 25 basis points rate cut [...]
New storm fears stoke up oil prices October 18, 2005 Oil prices leapt by more than $1 a barrel as tropical storm Wilma threatened to move into the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico by the end of the week. American crude was up by $1.27 to $64.05 by late afternoon yesterday. The storm has winds of 45 mph and s forecast to strengthen in the next [...]