Britain’s trade deficit widens April 12, 2012 Britain’s goods trade deficit widened more than forecast in February as exports to non-EU countries dipped, official data showed on Thursday. The Office for National Statistics said the goods trade deficit grew to £8.7bn in February from an upwardly revised £7.8bn in January. Economists had forecast a gap of £7.7bn The goods trade deficit with [...]
Mothercare to close more UK stores April 12, 2012 Mothercare said it would close more UK stores as it seeks to restore profitability in its home market, after sales there slumped in the fourth quarter. Last November the baby and mother retailer launched a strategic review of its British business having detailed plans in May to close about 110 stores over two years as [...]
Aggreko forecasts strong 2012 April 12, 2012 Britain’s Aggreko, the world’s biggest temporary power provider, said underlying revenue had risen by more than 20 percent in the first three months of the year, putting it on track for further growth in 2012. The company, which provides generators to cover electricity shortfalls or power live events, on Thursday said sales at both its [...]
Recruiter Hays boosted by overseas growth April 12, 2012 British recruitment firm Hays said it expected full-year operating profit to be at the top end of market estimates, as it posted a better-than-expected 10 per cent rise in third-quarter gross profit helped by strong overseas growth. Hays, which specialises in placing workers in accountancy, IT and construction jobs, said net fees, also known as [...]
Clegg announces energy bill shake-up April 11, 2012 Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg today unveiled a new system under which energy companies will be required to let customers know what their best deal is. The move could save households up to £100 a year, according to ministers who have been calling for the change. Energy companies will be obliged to tell people about [...]
FTSE steadied by banks and miners April 11, 2012 The FTSE 100 steadied this morning but fears over world growth and in particular the continuing Eurozone debt crisis cast a shadow over markets. Having fallen back to its weakest point this year the blue chip index was given a boost by miners and banks but the market was effectively flat. The sector had been [...]
BMW reports record March sales April 11, 2012 BMW, the world’s largest premium carmaker by volume, said that it enjoyed the highest ever first quarter demand on the back of March sales that broke all previous records as its three largest markets posted double-digit growth. Group sales increased by 12 per cent last month to 185,728 vehicles, bringing the cumulative tally so far [...]
BAA traffic in boost from emerging markets April 11, 2012 Traffic at airports operated by BAA rose by four per cent in March, compared with the same month in 2011, helped by Easter being earlier this year and strong growth on routes to emerging markets. BAA, which is Britain’s main airport operator whose largest shareholder is Spanish infrastructure group Ferrovial, said 8.6m passengers travelled through [...]
Michael Page profit rises despite weak banking April 11, 2012 British recruitment firm Michael Page International posted a seven per cent rise in first-quarter profit but said weak markets, particularly in banking, continued to drag on growth. Michael Page, which places people in accounting, financial and legal jobs, on Wednesday said gross profit rose to £136m in the three months to the end of March, [...]
Best Buy chief executive resigns April 10, 2012 Best Buy Co (BBY.N) said its chief executive Brian Dunn has resigned from the world’s largest consumer electronics chain, as the company looks to please investors looking for change at the top. The company, which faces stiff competition from discounters and online retailers, has missed sales expectations for several quarters in a row. Best Buy [...]
