Green City living promo November 24, 2009 An environmental expo kicks off today at the Citigroup Centre, aimed at Citi employees, Citigroup Centre tenants and their employees, financial institutions in Canary Wharf and the FSA. The event is to encourage companies and staff in the City to be more environmentally aware, and highlights how companies are saving energy ahead of the UN’s [...]
London hotels recover November 24, 2009 London is expected to lead the initial recovery phase for the EMEA Hotel Market, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotel’s latest Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey (HISS). The survey highlighted a growing confidence in the capital’s hotel market, with investors reporting a high level of buy intentions for key European gateway cities like London and Paris. [...]
SSL excites the City as profits grow November 24, 2009 ASHARES in SSL jumped to record highs yesterday after the condom-to-foot-deodorant maker said first half profits were up 59 per cent. SSL said that pre-tax profits rose to £51.9m from £32.5m in the six months ending 30 September, driven by a strong performance at its Durex Play business that makes lubricants and vibrators, and its [...]
Aquarius Platinum falls on bond issue November 24, 2009 AQUARIUS Platinum, the fourth largest producer of the metal, launched a $250m (£150m) convertible bond issue yesterday. The Bermuda-based company said the unsubordinated, unsecured convertible bonds are due in 2015. The proceeds will be used to redeem 650m-rand (£52.5m) of convertible bonds and build a chromite recovery plant at its Everest mine, in South Africa. [...]
HomeServe adds more customers November 24, 2009 HOMESERVE yesterday posted a higher first-half profit from core operations, aided by growth in customer and policy numbers, and said it would not be affected by the recent floods in north west England. HomeServe, which provides cover for a range of emergencies such as broken boilers and overflowing washing machines, also said it was confident [...]
JAL shares drop to a record low November 24, 2009 Shares of Japan Airlines slid to a record low yesterday on growing investor worries that Asia’s largest airline by revenue could face bankruptcy as it struggles to agree pension cuts. The slide was also fuelled by news that trading house Mitsui sold all of its 11.7m JAL shares, raising speculation other shareholders would follow suit. [...]
Camelot sales on the up in slump November 24, 2009 Camelot, the group which runs the National Lottery, said yesterday its six-month Lottery ticket sales grew to £2.6bn, an increase of £68.9m, or 2.7 per cent, on the same period last year. During the half-year, Camelot said it increased sales of both draw-based and non draw-based games, across all channels, including retail, interactive and subscriptions. [...]
15m placing as Topps Tiles profits crack November 24, 2009 TILE and wood flooring retailer Topps Tiles yesterday reported a sharp 45 per cent dive in full-year profits and said it is set to raise £15.4m from a share placing to bolster its balance sheet against a possible double-dip recession. The company, which trades from 321 stores, reported that its annual pre-tax profit to 26 [...]
Bookie William Hill covers its losses by poaching finance director from Bovis November 24, 2009 Bookmaker William Hill stunned the City yesterday by announcing it is parting company with its finance director Simon Lane and poaching property firm Bovis Homes’ FD Neil Cooper for the job. William Hill said that Lane is stepping down after deciding he wants to “seek a fresh challenge” following the group’s successful £350m discounted rights [...]
AT THE BORDERS EDGE November 24, 2009 BORDERS fuelled closure fears yesterday by halting orders on its website while the retailer is “in discussion with potential buyers”. The firm said existing orders will be delayed, but fulfilled. Some analysts believe Borders may not survive until Christmas, and unless a buyer is found is expected to go into administration.
