Future considers sale of its struggling US business September 28, 2011 MAGAZINE publisher Future is considering radical strategic options for its US business – which could include a possible sale – with torrid trading there expected to drag full year revenues down six per cent. The specialist publisher, which prints titles on activities including video games and photography, expects sales in its core UK market to [...]
Misys growth fuelled by Asia September 28, 2011 SOFTWARE firm Misys said demand from the Middle East and Asia is more than compensating for growing uncertainty in financial markets. The company, whose products are used by banks and firms dealing in capital markets, said revenue in its first quarter grew four per cent, helped by sales of its next-generation platforms such as BankFusion.
Wary outlook from Smiths as sales rise September 28, 2011 BRITISH technology firm Smiths Group reported profits above expectations yesterday, helped by demand from the oil and gas industry that helped offset weak orders from government agencies for equipment such as airport scanners. Smiths, whose products range from bomb detectors to medical devices and fuel hoses, said pre-tax profit rose 12 per cent to £486m [...]
John Laing plans FTSE push with £155m rights issue September 28, 2011 THE infrastructure fund arm of project management group John Laing is planning to raise up to £155.8m through a capital raising that could push it into the FTSE 250. John Laing Infrastructure Fund (JLIF), which raised £270m in an initial public offering last November, said yesterday that it would issue 148.4m new shares at 105p per share. It [...]
Babcock sees reduction in net debt position September 28, 2011 FTSE 250-listed engineering support services firm Babcock yesterday said that strong cash generation and good trading conditions in the last quarter will help it hit profit targets. The firm said its good cash position means it expects to pay down its debts to leave a debt to underlying earnings ratio of less than two times [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK FOR SMITHS GROUP? September 28, 2011 JONATHAN JACKSON | KILLIK & CO The outlook remains weak, given the continued constraints on government spending, and the group will continue to focus on efficiency… Management hopes to further improve margins through R&D-driven product innovation, acquisitions and further expanding into emerging markets. SCOTT CAGEHIN | NUMIS The message is a consistent story of margin improvement, [...]
Shops braced for rent D-Day September 28, 2011 THE HIGH street is braced for a fresh blow as quarterly rent demands are due today and hard pressed retailers must pay their landlords. Thousands of firms will have to fork out three months’ rent in one go, with many already struggling to make ends meet in the tough consumer climate. The payments total £3.4bn [...]
Domino’s in sales lift on new ranges September 28, 2011 DOMINO’S Pizza has hailed the success of a new gourmet range and online ordering growth for a rise in sales. However, the firm’s shares fell almost 10 per cent as its growth missed targets. The delivery firm has promoted its new gourmet pizzas via sponsorship of ITV game show Red or Black. Domino’s increased advertising [...]
SABMiller in Foster’s boost September 28, 2011 AUSTRALIA’S competition watchdog yesterday gave the green light to SABMiller’s A$10bn (£6.3bn) friendly acquisition of brewer Foster’s Group as expected, saying the bid would not lessen competition. SABMiller and Fosters last week agreed on a sweetened A$9.9bn takeover deal. “The proposed acquisition is not likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition for the [...]
Aer Lingus passenger traffic rose over summer September 28, 2011 PASSENGER numbers at Aer Lingus rose in the summer months, with yields also ahead of last year, the airline said yesterday. The airline said passenger volumes rose by 1.4 per cent in July and August, and yields increased by 4.6 per cent. In September, yields and volumes are also ahead of 2010 figures, the airline [...]
