Insurers hit back after Miliband demands quicker flood response February 18, 2014 THE INSURANCE industry hit back yesterday after Labour leader Ed Miliband claimed it is not doing enough to help those affected by flooding. Paul Evans, chief executive of AXA, said his staff are “extremely focused” on getting people back into their homes. “Customers have no reason to fear their insurers will let them down, nor [...]
Batman-inspired skyscraper nears approval February 18, 2014 PLANS for a £390m office scheme near Leadenhall Market were recommended for approval yesterday. The design was inspired by America’s neo-gothic architecture such as the Rockefeller Centre, which influenced the Batman films.
King float raises fears that Candy Crush has peaked February 18, 2014 KING’S filing for its public offering yesterday revealed that Candy Crush Saga, the game that accounts for 78 per cent of King’s revenue, could be in decline. Candy Crush was 2013’s top grossing mobile app, but King’s gross bookings fell 2.5 per cent in the fourth quarter to $632m (£378m), led by a drop in [...]
Bottom Line: London just needs to wait a bit for lift-off February 18, 2014 ON ONE level and after a superficial look at developments, it might seem as if London is in danger of missing out on the impending flood of new issues that are about to hit the financial markets. Yesterday’s flurry of statements revealed that ISS, the giant services group, is floating in Copenhagen; King.com has chosen [...]
Retail investors to be courted in biggest Nordic flotation in years February 18, 2014 ISS, the Danish outsourcing group, intends to attract retail investors to its stock market flotation in Copenhagen, the biggest Nordic flotation in 14 years. “There’s potential to have strong demand,” chief executive Jeff Gravenhorst said yesterday. “The percentage that goes to the retail investor will depend on their appetite.” ISS, which is part-owned by Sweden’s [...]
Poundland hires retail veterans to propel float February 18, 2014 DISCOUNT retailer Poundland yesterday unveiled a heavyweight board lineup and its first female non-executive director as part of plans to float on London’s stock market next month. The Birmingham-based company, which currently has around 500 stores, has recruited former Travelodge chief executive Grant Hearn and Merlin Entertainments group HR director Tea Colaianni, who will become [...]
Lower inflation could carry on falling this year February 18, 2014 INFLATION fell below the Bank of England’s target in January, according to figures released yesterday, as the consumer price index grew by only 1.9 per cent in January. Though inflation has not been below two per cent since November 2009, some analysts are now projecting that it will continue to fall through the year. Capital [...]
Worries stall NHS data plan February 18, 2014 CONCERNS over privacy have halted plans for an NHS super-database to store the medical records of every patient in the UK. Despite last-minute crisis talks last night, officials made the decision to halt the roll-out of the new scheme in order to make sure people understand how it will work, and that they have the [...]
Profits boost for FTSE 350s February 18, 2014 THE UK’S biggest listed companies saw a boost to profits last year, as economic growth began to pick up, according to figures released today. The Share Centre’s latest figures indicate that FTSE 350 companies reporting results during the fourth quarter of 2013, for the year to September, recorded profits after tax rise at the fastest [...]
London’s house prices soar 12pc February 18, 2014 HOUSE prices in the capital have pulled further away from those in the rest of the country, official figures showed yesterday. London’s prices jumped by 12.3 per cent in the 12 months to December, more than double the 5.5 per cent rise in the UK as a whole, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The increase [...]
