Bankside Power Station (AKA Tate Modern) suffers power failure May 19, 2014 Oh the irony. The Tate Modern, based in the former oil powered station on the banks of the Thames, suffered a power failure this morning causing it to shut. The gallery, one of London's most visited attractions, had to turn art fans away while they tried to return power to the huge building. [...]
Guns and butter: UK’s weapons and ammunition turnover drops by 30pc May 19, 2014 The trade-off in British manufacturing is clear. Less guns, more everything else. Turnover of UK weapons and ammunition production has dropped by 29.6 per cent in the three months to March on the same period last year, according to the Office for National Statistics. That's the biggest such fall in turnover seen across any of [...]
Why a successful Pfizer bid for AstraZeneca isn’t completely off the table May 19, 2014 The rejection of a £55-a-share offer by Pfizer for AstraZeneca has led a few market watchers to suggest that any chance of a deal has now evaporated. But while AstraZeneca shares have fallen, by around 14 per cent, stock in the pharmaceutical company hasn't settled back to where it was before Pfizer's initial approach. It [...]
Deutsche Bank shares drop on €8bn capital hike May 19, 2014 Deutsche Bank shares fell over 2.6 per cent this morning, after yesterday’s announcement that it plans to raise €8bn (£6.5bn) in new capital. The bank will raise €6.3bn in new equity via a rights issue, with the remaining €1.75bn stake taken by the Qatari royal family through its Paramount fund. Deutsche Bank also put forward [...]
Vodafone shares are in the red this morning. Here’s why May 19, 2014 Vodafone shares have shed 0.9 per cent this morning, following news that telecoms firm AT&T is buying satellite television provider DirecTV. The $48.5bn deal will create not only a fierce competitor to other cable companies, but significantly lowers the odds that AT&T will continue considering buying Vodafone. The merged firm will have around 26m video [...]
What you need to know before the open May 19, 2014 A mixed open is expected for European markets this morning, following the choppy trading seen globally last week. All eyes will be on Deutsche Bank, following its announcement that it plans to raise €8bn in new capital, and AstraZeneca’s latest announcement that it’s rejected Pfizer’s latest takeover bid. Deutsche Bank’s move could impact what the [...]
Slashed fares hit Ryanair profits May 19, 2014 Ryanair’s reported net income of €523m (£426m) for the year ending in March. That’s a eight per cent drop from the €569m it made a year earlier. Fares fell four per cent, as the budget airline reacted to a tougher environment of a weaker pound and higher fuel costs. As a result, it saw its [...]
AstraZeneca rejects new Pfizer offer May 19, 2014 Shares in US drugs giant Pfizer have slumped by 14 per cent after the company's £69bn takeover offer was rejected by the board of AstraZeneca. Last night Pfizer revealed that it had raised its offer for AstraZeneca to £55 a share, after having an earlier offer of £53.50 turned down on Friday night. Chairman of [...]
GAY-TMs and London’s French Riviera May 19, 2014 ANYONE using one of Barclays’ ATMs come the last week in June could be in for a colourful surprise. The bank has announced it’ll be sponsoring the Pride in London festival again this year, becoming headline sponsor for the first time. In celebration, it plans to create a gaggle of GAY-TMs along the parade route. [...]
Asian markets slide after Chinese house prices disappoint May 19, 2014 Asian markets have suffered declines as weak housing data from China renewed fears that the slowdown in the world's second largest economy could be getting worse. House prices for new homes rose in 44 of 70 cities surveyed last month, compared with 56 cities is March. The People's Bank of China has instructed financial institutions [...]