Firms going ex-dividend hit FTSE 100 February 13, 2013 The leading share index fell this morning, ending a three-session rally as it was weighed down by a number of blue chips going ex-dividend. Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca led the fallers, shedding more than three per cent as it went ex-dividend. Business software provider Sage and oil giant BP fell 1.63 per cent and 1.44 per [...]
CBI says UK will avoid triple-dip recession February 13, 2013 The UK will avoid a triple-dip recession in 2013, according to business lobby group the CBI, although growth will be lower. The business lobby said this morning that the economy would expand by 0.3 per cent in the first quarter of the year, and stay between 0.3 and 0.4 per cent for the rest of [...]
Health and hygiene arm boosts Reckitt Benckiser February 13, 2013 Consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser beat expectations over the full year, as sales of health and hygiene products led growth. The FTSE 100 consumer giant posted net revenue of £9.6bn over 2012, and full-year adjusted earnings per share of 264.4p, up seven per cent. Chief executive Rakesh Kapoor has shifted focus to fast-growing emerging markets [...]
Crest Nicholson float values firm at £553m February 13, 2013 Crest Nicholson this morning set a price of 220p a share for its London IPO, valuing the company at £553m. The property group said today it expected to raise gross proceeds of around £224.9m, comprising a primary component of £56m and secondary sales of £168.9m from existing shareholders. The shares will start trading on the [...]
Interview: Inmarsat boss Andrew Sukawaty February 13, 2013 Andrew Sukawaty is having a busy day. He awoke to discover his satellite telecoms firm Inmarsat had tanked 13 per cent, leading the FTSE 100 fallers by a country mile. But if the charismatic American – both chief executive and chairman – is flustered, he isn’t showing it. “The share price is for the market [...]
Fergie guarantees goals as Reds get set for Real February 12, 2013 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has promised goals in a fixture fit for the final when his side lock horns with Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight. Eight previous meetings between the two giants of European football have produced 31 goals, and Ferguson expects that pattern to continue against Jose Mourinho’s team in [...]
Wily Old Lady outwits Bhoys February 12, 2013 CELTIC 0 vs JUVENTUS 3 CELTIC manager Neil Lennon admits his team’s Champions League adventure is all but over after ruthless Juventus plundered a commanding first-leg lead last night. The Scots bombarded Juve – nicknamed the Old Lady – throughout the last 16 clash but defensive lapses let in Alessandro Matri, Claudio Marchisio and Mirko [...]
Broad’s England need to be more savvy in series decider February 12, 2013 E NGLAND captain Stuart Broad was quick to blame yesterday’s series-levelling 55-run defeat in the second Twenty20 match in New Zealand on his decision to put the hosts into bat. Yet if England had just bowled a bit better they might have won. As good as the tourists were in Saturday’s romp to victory in [...]
Three Lions rely on Aussie favour February 12, 2013 CRICKET: England’s women bid to reach the World Cup final today, but need a little help from Australia to get there. England must beat New Zealand and overturn an inferior run-rate to the West Indies, who earlier play the Aussies.
Jones gets Six Nations call-up February 12, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Lock Alun Wyn Jones has been added to the Wales RBS Six Nations squad for their final three matches of the championship.
