Miners peg back FTSE as UK inflation dips again March 20, 2012 Miners pegged the FTSE 100 back in early trading as fears that demand from China for metals was falling sapped investor confidence. BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest miner, fell 1.9 per cent after saying it was seeing signs of “flattening” iron ore demand from China. The sector is pinning its hopes on continuing fast growth [...]
Inflation rate falls to 3.4 per cent March 20, 2012 The UK inflation rate continued to fall in February, thanks largely to lower gas and electricity bills. Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 3.4 per cent in February, down from 3.6 per cent in January, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed, Inflation has been falling steadily since September and the CPI rate is [...]
AstraZeneca abandons Targacept anti-depressant March 20, 2012 AstraZeneca has thrown in the towel on an experimental antidepressant targeting nicotine receptors after the drug licensed from Targacept failed in remaining clinical trials, thinning out its pipeline further. Britain’s second-biggest drug maker will take an impairment charge of $50m, representing the rest of the value of TC-5214, which had already seen an earlier write-down [...]
RBS to slim down Asian business March 20, 2012 Royal Bank of Scotland is closing its equity capital market and corporate finance units in South Korea and cash equities businesses in Indonesia, Korea and Singapore in the latest move to cut the size of its struggling investment bank. The decision sheds light on the British lender’s recent agreement with CIMB Group Holdings Bhd for [...]
Petrofac and National Grid plan UK carbon capture plant March 20, 2012 British energy network operator National Grid and London-listed oil and gas services firm Petrofac plan to build a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Britain with US partner Summit Power, the companies said. The consortium will apply for funding from the British government, which is due to relaunch a £1bn tender for CCS projects [...]
Regus to invest as profit doubles March 20, 2012 Regus more than doubled its operating profit for 2011 as cash-strapped firms chose the flexible office space supplier over fixed cost premises, and said that it would open another 200 locations this year to fuel further growth. The group, which offers ready-to-use offices for rentals as short as half a day in cities in 94 [...]
Debenhams sales up March 20, 2012 Debenhams, Britain’s second largest department store group, showed its resilience in tough markets with an improving sales performance in its first half. The firm, which trades from 167 stores in the UK, Ireland and Denmark and over 60 franchise stores in 24 international markets, said on Tuesday sales at stores open over a year rose [...]
Muamba talks just 48 hours after collapse March 19, 2012 Bolton player moves arms and legs in recovery from cardiac arrest but condition remains critical BOLTON midfielder Fabrice Muamba last night showed the first signs of winning his miraculous fight for life, managing to speak to visitors just 48 hours after his on-field cardiac arrest on Saturday. The Premier League club said Muamba, 23, had [...]
Wales boss closes in on Lions role March 19, 2012 WALES coach Warren Gatland’s second Grand Slam looks set to clinch him the role of British and Irish Lions chief for next year’s tour of Australia. The New Zealander is the overwhelming favourite for the job, with Ireland’s Declan Kidney and under-pressure Scotland coach Andy Robinson also thought to be on a three-man shortlist. Saturday’s [...]
Hartley facing four-year ban after Ireland citing March 19, 2012 ENGLAND hooker Dylan Hartley is facing the prospect of a possible huge four-year ban after he was cited for allegedly biting Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris. Hartley was accused of the offence during England’s 30-9 victory over Ireland in the final round of Six Nations fixtures on Saturday. The Northampton forward faces an anxious wait to [...]
