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 [...]
Google astounds market with £215m profit October 21, 2005 Global giant Google has exceeded Wall Street expectations by announcing a sevenfold leap in third quarter profits. The search engine reported net income of $381.2m (£214.9m), more than six times higher than the previous year. Profit before tax soared to $550m compared to $15m at the same period in 2004, on a 96 per cent [...]
Green: ‘I am worth £1bn pay’ October 21, 2005 Philip Green defended his stunning £1.2bn dividend payment from Arcadia Group telling City A.M: “Venture capitalists would take much more.” In a day dominated by retail news, Green earned the biggest headlines. Arcadia — which owns Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, Etam and Miss Selfridge — reported a 6.8 per cent rise in sales to [...]
On top of the world October 21, 2005 Retail may be struggling, but Philip Green has just taken a £1bn dividend. Is he embarrassed? Not much. Displaying the timing for which he has become famous, retail entrepreneur Philip Green paid himself a whopping £1.2bn dividend from his retail chain Arcadia. At a time when retailers nationwide are struggling, Arcadia announced a 10.1 per [...]
