St James’s Place sees profits outstrip forecasts February 24, 2010 WEALTH manager St James’s Place posted full-year operating profits at the top end of market forecasts. The firm – which is 60 per cent owned by Lloyds Banking Group – combines life assurance with investment services. It said operating profit on an embedded value basis was at £228.9m in 2009, up from £204.3m a year [...]
Northern Rock to scrap savers’ 100 per cent guarantee February 24, 2010 THE Government is to withdraw its 100 per cent guarantee to Northern Rock savers. In three months time the guarantee – introduced to save the stricken lender – will be scrapped. However, savers will still benefit from the £50,000 guarantee to all savers under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Financial Services Secretary Paul Myners [...]
Barratt in housing market boost February 24, 2010 HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments saw its losses narrow in the second half of the year as the housing market showed further signs of finding its feet. Pre-tax losses came in at £178.4m compared to a loss of £594.5m a year earlier. However, it took a £129.9m hit from finance costs following its £720m placing and rights [...]
Travis Perkins profit dips after “worst year ever” February 24, 2010 BUILDERS’ merchant Travis Perkins has posted a drop in profits of 11 per cent and issued a warning of the “fragile” state of trading. Pre-tax profits for 2009 were £180m, down from £202.5m in the previous year, as revenue dropped 8 per cent to £2.9bn. The firm, which owns the Wickes chain, dubbed trading conditions [...]
Rio England doubt sours Rooney show February 23, 2010 MANCHESTER UTD (3) v/s WEST HAM (0) MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Rio Ferdinand will miss Sunday’s Carling Cup final and is a major doubt to captain England against Egypt, after seeing a Wayne Rooney brace cut Chelsea’s lead to one point. Ferdinand suffered a recurrence of a back problem in training yesterday [...]
Wilkinson: I’ll defy critics against Irish February 23, 2010 UNDER-FIRE England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is refusing to let personal criticism reduce him to a “quivering wreck” after being named in an unchanged team for Saturday’s showdown with Ireland. Wilkinson was singled out for condemnation after an uncharacteristically sloppy kicking performance in last week’s victory over Italy. Matt Dawson, his half-back partner during the 2003 [...]
Ancelotti ignoring distractions February 23, 2010 INTER MILAN VS CHELSEA CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti has vowed not to let his players’ turbulent private lives upset the dressing room ahead of tonight’s clash with Inter Milan. Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho’s feverishly-anticipated first match against his old club threatens to be overshadowed by a series of lurid off-field headlines. First Chelsea skipper [...]
Portsmouth set for administration as clock ticks down on takeover talks February 23, 2010 CASH-STRAPPED Portsmouth will enter into administration on Friday in a bid to safeguard the club’s future, according to owner Balram Chainrai. Hong Kong businessman Chainrai is in talks with four potential buyers about a takeover of the south-coast club, but accepts it is unlikely that a deal will be struck before they are due to [...]
KINGMAKER CLEGG: BAN BANK BONUSES February 23, 2010 SENIOR bankers should no longer be paid bonuses, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said yesterday. Clegg, who will play the role of kingmaker after the election if polls pointing to a hung parliament are correct, said the ban should apply to all variable pay – including deferred stock. It would cover executive board members and [...]
Canada end British curling hopes February 23, 2010 BRITISH curling skip Eve Muirhead showed glimpses of her undoubted potential but admitted it was too little, too late after she crashed out in Vancouver. The three-time world junior champion may need a few days before she can see the positives from a debut Olympics, although the 19-year-old is clearly a name for the future. [...]
