Nestle sales hit £29.6bn October 21, 2005 Nestle, the world’s largest food manufacturer, has romped to better than expected sales this year. The company, which produces Nescafe and Kit Kat, said yesterday its sales were 5.8 per cent higher for the first nine months. Switzerland-based Nestle also reaffirmed its targets of 5-6 per cent organic growth for the full year as the [...]
China GDP on a roll October 21, 2005 China’s economy recorded a whopping 9.4 per cent growth in the last quarter, leaving the anaemic economies of the West far behind. Growth exceeded analysts’ expectations as the Chinese juggernaut was bolstered by strong exports and high public spending. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 9.4 per cent on last year on the back [...]
Judge only trial for drug cartel October 21, 2005 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) may delay bringing criminal charges against drug company directors accused of rigging the prices of NHS drugs until next year. The delay would allow the suspected cartelists to be tried under the new judge-only court procedure. The SFO opened an investigation into generic drug manufacturers Goldshield Group, Generics UK, Kent [...]
Brown shaves £3bn off budget deficit October 21, 2005 Chancellor Gordon Brown got off lightly yesterday when the public sector finance figures released by the Treasury looked much healthier than expected. However, analysts suspect some sleight of hand in the way the figure has been calculated. The budget deficit narrowed to £14.6bn for the first six months of fiscal year 2005-2006, down from £17.6bn [...]
eBay shares fall despite sales hike October 21, 2005 eBay has grown even bigger in the last three months with sales now topping $1.1bn (£621m), it said yesterday. Shares still fell, however, as the online auction company had to defend itself over its $4.1bn (£2.26bn) purchase of Skype Technologies, the internet telephony company. eBay, which has taken the world by storm with its service [...]
A fatal attraction October 21, 2005 If you have dated more than your fair share of ugly ducklings and psychos, then Lorraine Adams may have the answer. I was enjoying the company at one of my recent member-hosted Bellini and canapes evenings when the conversation turned around to Gareth Sibson and the women he encountered when he set up his website [...]
Morrisons to launch cost cutting drive October 21, 2005 Sir Ken Morrison revealed yesterday that he had no plans to quit the retail business his father founded and planned to lead the enlarged supermarket into the post-Safeway era. “My present intention is to stay around for another two to three years,” he said The conversion of former Safeway stores into Morrisons outlets will be [...]
Boro seal first win October 21, 2005 Middlesbrough made a competent, if somewhat nervy, start to the group stage with a win away at Grasshoppers. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the only goal scorer in Zurich to give Steve McClaren’s side the start they were hoping for in UEFA Cup Group D. McClaren decided to play two up front — partnering the Dutchman [...]
Ford in the red with £213m losses October 21, 2005 Ford fell into the red as losses in its key North American division increased and sales of high-margin sport utility vehicles dropped. The world’s third largest automaker, which is facing a deepening financial crisis, reported its third quarter results yesterday. It announced a $377m (£213m) pre-tax loss compared to a $718m (£406m) profit the previous [...]
Leather had it so good October 21, 2005 The sexiest of all fabrics, leather has been part of the fashion scene for nearly 100 years. Now British designers are getting in on the act. When it comes to leather fashion goods most people assume the Italians lead the way. After all, they do have a certain panache when it comes to design, quality [...]
