Kier’s COO leaves with immediate effect November 15, 2019 Kier’s chief operating officer has left the business with immediate effect as the struggling outsourcer rang the changes at the top amid reported interest from private equity. Claudio Veritiero, who was appointed COO only in August of 2018, has quit the company today. Read more: Private equity firm circles Kier as it looks to raise [...]
First Group shares sink as losses widen after Greyhound charge November 14, 2019 First Group’s share price sank today as it fell to a £187m half-year loss as transport charges hobbled the firm while doubts weigh over the future of its West Coast Rail franchise. Read more: CMA flags competition concerns on 21 West Coast Rail franchise routes The figures The transport giant fell to a loss before [...]
Germany beats recession fears in third quarter – but only just November 14, 2019 Germany narrowly avoided falling into recession in the third quarter thanks to unexpectedly strong consumer spending, data showed today. Europe’s largest economy thwarted expectations of a contraction as it eked out a 0.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter growth rate. Read more: Eurozone industrial production beats predictions but Germany remains weak The country’s GDP posted a 0.5 [...]
Young’s pub chain posts profit drop after poor weather November 14, 2019 Young’s pub chain blamed “poor and unpredictable weather” for a fall in profit in its latest half-year results today, but still raised its interim dividend to book its 23rd consecutive rise. Read more: Marston’s sells off 137 pubs for £45m in an attempt to slash debt The figures Profit before tax dropped 6.4 per cent [...]
Tube delays hit three lines in rush hour after Edgware Road incident November 14, 2019 Severe Tube delays have hit multiple lines today after a faulty train at Edgware Road caused knock-on problems across the Underground. The entire Circle Line was suffering bad delays due to the issue, as is the Hammersmith & City Line. Read more: Revealed: These are London’s most crowded Tube lines Transport for London (TfL) urged [...]
Boris Johnson’s election pledge: Let’s end Brexit groundhog day November 13, 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to call on voters to end the “groundhoggery” of Brexit in his first major General Election speech. The Prime Minister will say the UK cannot “squander” more time on deciding on the manner of its departure from the EU, and ask the public to let him “get Brexity done”. [...]
FTSE 100 falls under Trump’s tariff threat and Hong Kong turmoil November 13, 2019 US President Donald Trump’s threat to reignite his trade war with China has dragged down the FTSE 100 in early trading as another day of Hong Kong turmoil hurts global stocks. London’s blue-chip index fell 0.4 per cent, or 28.5 points, to 7,336.9. The biggest fallers included HSBC, ITV and Prudential as UK stocks traded [...]
Wincanton raises dividend as it mulls Eddie Stobart bid November 13, 2019 Wincanton posted a rise in underlying profit in its latest half-year results and raised its dividend, as it continued to hold off on a bid for struggling rival Eddie Stobart. Read more: Eddie Stobart confirms £55m rescue bid – but will shareholders be left in the cold? The figures Profit before tax fell 5.3 per [...]
Unilever chairman to step down with immediate effect November 13, 2019 Unilever’s chairman has stepped down from the role with immediate effect in a surprise departure from the dual-listed Dutch consumer goods giant. Non-executive director Nils Andersen will replace Marijn Dekkers, who has served in the role at the Marmite and Dove soap maker since April 2016. Read more: Heinz and Unilever adverts found on Pornhub [...]
Eddie Stobart confirms £55m rescue bid that leaves shareholders in the cold November 13, 2019 Eddie Stobart today confirmed that a major shareholder has made a £55m bid for a controlling stake in the company, following a report warning investors will lose out. Douglas Bay Capital Fund wants to buy a 51 per cent stake of of a new entity that would then become the holding company for Eddie Stobart. [...]