Quercus puts itself up for sale as losses mount January 22, 2014 QUERCUS, the independent publisher behind Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, yesterday unexpectedly announced that it is up for sale. In a surprise stock market announcement, the Baker Street-based firm said that it had appointed mergers and acquisitions specialists Livingstone Partners to advise on the sale process. The firm said it believed it was “in the [...]
BHP vows higher shareholder returns as production soars January 22, 2014 BHP BILLITON’S iron ore expansion plan went full throttle in the second half of the year, with the miner posting record production from its West Australian mines and a 19 per cent rise in output. The FTSE 100-quoted miner’s West Australian operation benefited from the early delivery of first production from the Jimblebar mine, which [...]
Amplats back in profit but fresh strikes loom January 22, 2014 ANGLO American Platinum swung back into profit in 2013 as it rebounded from a wave of wildcat strikes but its recovery is threatened by looming strikes across South Africa’s platinum belt. Maintaining profit margins will be tough if the hardline Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) goes ahead with its planned industrial action today [...]
Hurricane plans February float January 22, 2014 North Sea-focused oil firm Hurricane Energy yesterday announced plans to float on London’s junior AIM market in February, in an initial public offering (IPO) which will value the company at around £272m. The firm said it would raise around £18m from investors upon listing plus another £31.4m through the conversion of loan notes and a [...]
Facebook eyes ad network January 22, 2014 Facebook is displaying ads from a small group of marketers on other companies’ smartphone apps, the latest sign that the world’s biggest online social network is closer to launching an ad network business. Facebook said yesterday that the test is currently limited to a “few” advertisers and mobile app publishers. “Our aim is to demonstrate [...]
DLR strike set for next week January 22, 2014 The RMT union said staff on the Docklands Light Railway will walk out next Wednesday for 48 hours and again on Tuesday 4 February following the “total breakdown in industrial relations”. The walkouts come as the RMT prepares to conduct a series of “revenue strikes” on the Underground next month, where staff will be instructed to [...]
Sage shares get a lift as growth stays on track January 22, 2014 SHARES in software developer Sage Group led the FTSE risers yesterday morning, climbing over three per cent higher after the software firm said it is on track to meet growth targets. The group, which makes business and accounting software, said legislative changes had helped to drive good performances across Europe, the UK and Ireland, despite challenging market [...]
United Technologies profit tops estimates despite revenue miss January 22, 2014 UNITED Technologies, the world’s largest maker of elevators and air conditioners, yesterday reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit that topped Wall Street estimates, helped by stronger performances across its businesses. Revenue at United Technologies, which also produces Pratt & Whitney jet engines and Black Hawk helicopters, rose 1.9 per cent to $16.76bn (£10.21bn), it said [...]
Bags of competition drags down coach sales January 22, 2014 LUXURY handbag seller Coach said yesterday sales in North America fell further in the final quarter of 2013, as it loses share to fast-growing rivals such as Michael Kors Holdings and Kate Spade. North American sales fell nine per cent to $983m (£592.9m) in the quarter to 28 December – the third quarter in a row [...]
Findel turnaround plan pays off January 22, 2014 Findel, the UK home shopping and education supplier showed signs it is on the path to recovery, after reporting a 3.8 per cent rise in half-year sales yesterday. The company, which began a turnaround plan three years ago, said that year-to-date sales are 4.6 per cent ahead of the prior year with a strong performance [...]
