Racing return is proving pain in the neck for Schumacher August 4, 2009 SEVEN-TIME champion Michael Schumacher has admitted a lingering neck injury is hampering his sensational return to racing. The German, 40, has been coaxed out of retirement by former team Ferrari while Felipe Massa recovers from a fractured skull suffered at last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix. But Schumacher says his training for the European Grand Prix [...]
Players face cocaine clampdown August 4, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Players in England are set to become the first in the world to face out-of-competition tests for cocaine and other recreational drugs. The Rugby Football Union is working on tightening current worldwide legislation, which only allows testing for cocaine on matchdays. It follows former Bath trio Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins’ [...]
Villa Delph deep for teenager August 4, 2009 FOOTBALL: Aston Villa last night completed the £8m signing of England Under-19 midfielder Fabian Delph from Leeds. The 19-year-old yesterday agreed personal terms to join Villa, who saw off competition from Manchester City and Fulham for his signature.
English clubs finances ‘a concern’ August 4, 2009 FOOTBALL: European chiefs Uefa have warned that some English clubs are jeopardising their futures by living beyond their means. The combined debt of top-flight clubs alone is estimated to be more than £3bn, while in lower divisions clubs have struggled to stay afloat. Uefa general secretary David Taylor said: “There are stories concerning some English [...]
Profits soar at Tullett Prebon August 4, 2009 INTERDEALER broker Tullett Prebon surprised the City yesterday as it revealed soaring interim profits that were comfortably ahead of market expectations, boosted by the continuing volatility in the market. Tullett said first half pre-tax profits were 23 per cent ahead of the same period last year at £91.7m, while revenue grew 11 per cent to [...]
Tour stage winner denies doping August 4, 2009 CYCLIST: Spaniard Mikel Astarloza has denied doping after testing positive for the banned blood-booster EPO. Astarloza, who won stage 16 of this year’s Tour de France, was provisionally banned last week on the basis of an out-of-competition test in June. “I haven’t taken anything illegal,” he said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to find out [...]
Pub food and Pedigree pints boost Marston’s August 4, 2009 BREWER and pubs chain Marston’s yesterday said that it was confident of meeting expectations for the year after a surge in food sales boosted trading. The group, which operates more than 1,700 pubs across England and Wales, reported a 2.3 per cent like-for -like sales growth in the six weeks to 1 August. The upturn [...]
L&G earnings down 92pc as bonds tumble August 4, 2009 INSURANCE giant Legal & General (L&G) saw its shares plummet yesterday after it reported a 92 per cent slump in statutory profits, thanks to a one-off hit on the corporate bond portion of its investment portfolio. Shares of the firm fell by eight per cent after it issued the half-year results, before rallying slightly to [...]
Trott in line as fears grow for Flintoff August 4, 2009 ENGLAND selectors yesterday handed uncapped Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott a shock call-up for the fourth Test amid mounting concerns over the fitness of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Nottinghamshire seamer Ryan Sidebottom was also drafted into the 14-man squad, in place of spinner Monty Panesar, for the match at Headingley, which starts on Friday. But it is [...]
WHERE DO YOU STAND AFTER L&G’S HALF-YEAR RESULTS? August 4, 2009 BARRIE CORNES PANMURE GORDON“The dividend cut was anticipated. Key takeaways for us are capital strength, increased new business margins and bond default provisioning, good cash flow and Legal & General Investment Management remains core to the business. We maintain our “buy” stance.” TONY SILVERMAN S&P EQUITY RESEARCH“L&G will trade at a discount until reporting uncertainty [...]
