Brits confident on finances February 18, 2015 FALLING inflation and rising pay are making UK families more optimistic about their future, Markit’s household finance index showed yesterday. Its expectations index came in at 50.2, just above the 50 mark which indicated no change. “The strain on UK household finances remained historically weak in February, amid muted inflation perceptions,” said Markit economist Philip [...]
Metro attacks bank rate cuts February 18, 2015 SAVERS have been ripped off to the tune of £4.7bn over the past three years, Metro Bank claimed yesterday, by big banks cutting their interest rates. Its study found 35 per cent of existing customers have had their rates cut, by an average of 0.46 percentage points. Metro’s report comes as the City watchdog’s consultation [...]
Coke bottler hit by exposures in foreign markets February 18, 2015 BEVERAGE bottler Coca-Cola HBC faces tough challenges in 2015, analysts have warned, after the firm reported a 5.3 per cent drop in sales revenue for 2014, from €1.57bn (£1.16bn) to €1.51bn. Volumes of unit cases sold also fell, by 2.8 per cent from 2.06bn in 2013 to 2bn, while net profit plunged by 11.4 per cent, [...]
Betfair’s TVG network gambles on Stronach’s racing channels February 18, 2015 TVG, an American sports-oriented digital cable and satellite television network owned by betting giant Betfair, yesterday acquired the HRTV horse racing TV network from the Stronach Group. HRTV will be rolled into TVG’s network, with Betfair owning 100 per cent of the equity in the combined platform. The deal also sees TVG acquire long-term television [...]
Shop Direct goes upmarket with luxury site February 18, 2015 ONLINE retailer Shop Direct has taken on its upmarket rivals after launching a new luxury goods website today led by My Wardrobe founder Sarah Curran. Very Exclusive is targeted at aspirational shoppers who can’t afford high-end luxury by selling “accessible” brands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Whistles and Barbour. The company, owned billionaire brothers [...]
Children’s Fund gets 6.7 per cent of Spanish airport operator Aena February 18, 2015 The Children’s Investment Fund Management (TCI) took a 6.7 per cent stake in Spanish airport operator Aena in the company’s listing last week, stock market data revealed yesterday. The move sees TCI, run by British hedge fund manager and philanthropist Sir Christopher Hohn, become the Aena’s second largest investor after the Spanish government, which holds [...]
Chinese Demand boosts British car-makers February 18, 2015 THE NUMBER of UK-manufactured cars exported to China has increased by 600 per cent since 2009, figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders yesterday revealed. The UK exported 1.2m cars in 2014, of which 137,410 were shipped to China.
Investors toast dividend hike at Galliford Try February 18, 2015 GALLIFORD Try has hiked its dividend by almost 50 per cent as a recovery in its construction business and buoyant demand for new homes helped to boost sales and profits. Pre-tax profits rose 12 per cent to £42.5m in the first half of the year to 31 December compared with the same period last year, [...]
Almacantar wins approval for Marble Arch tower overhaul February 18, 2015 Almacantar was given the go-ahead yesterday by Westminster Council for revised plans by architect Rafael Vinoly to redevelop Marble Arch tower in the West End. The £450m scheme will see Almacantar demolish the 1960s tower and replace it with an office building and a residential tower. The developer has revised its original plans by putting [...]
Kate Tempest among recipients of Cool Britannia revival grant to promote British music February 18, 2015 It looks like the government is trying to revive Cool Britannia. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) – the government department that helps to boost the exports of UK companies – and UK music trade body BPI will today announce 13 top British acts are to receive funding to promote their music abroad. Among the recipients [...]
