FSA attacked over Iceland June 11, 2009 MPs HAVE accused the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of deliberately misleading a Select Committee over the failure of Icelandic banks. The Communities and Local Government Committee, which is investigating why local authorities put over £1bn into Icelandic banks before they collapsed, criticised the regulator in a hard-hitting letter for being “unhelpful to the point of [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 11, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES GAZPROM IN IRAN PIPELINE TALKSGazprom is in talks with Iran and Pakistan to build a large section of a long-awaited gas pipeline between the two countries, a senior Iranian energy official says. The participation of Russia’s state-controlled energy group could kick-start the pipeline project, which has been delayed because of disagreements that have [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND PREVIEWS June 11, 2009 FILMTHE HANGOVER Screwball – and very funny – buddy comedy set in Las Vegas. RED CLIFF Action director John Woo moves into spectacular war epic territory. THE END OF THE LINE Documentary about the fishing industry that’s got everyone worrying about tuna. DVDANVIL! Hilarious documentary following Canada’s real life Spinal Tap. BOLT Enjoyable canine animation that [...]
Outlook good says Charles Stanley boss June 11, 2009 INDEPENDENT stockbroker Charles Stanley yesterday posted a 24.4 per cent decline in full-year underlying pre-tax profit, but said it was optimistic for the next six to 12 months. The company said funds under management fell 18 per cent to £9bn, and that revenue fell by 3.6 per cent to £101.8m. For the full year ended [...]
China poised to lead recovery June 11, 2009 CHINESE investment surged in May, fanning hopes the world’s third-largest economy may lead a global recovery, although a record slump in Japan’s first quarter GDP reinforced expectations any rebound would be slow. China’s investment pick-up, which came on the back of large government stimulus spending, offset surprisingly weak figures for exports and imports, which both [...]
ITV attempts to cut debt through bond swap offer June 11, 2009 ITV HAS offered holders of its €500m (£425m) fixed rate notes the chance to exchange them for a mix of cash and new notes, as it attempts to reduce debt and refinancing risk. The broadcaster said it wanted to cut its £730m debt pile by redeeming 30 per cent of the notes, due in 2011, [...]
NOW SHOWING SIX OF THE BEST June 11, 2009 PERFORMANCE: Tom Tom Crew A smash hit on Broadway, the Aussie group combining acrobatics, beat-boxing, drumming and scratch DJing are headlining the Southbank’s Udderbelly performance tent. ART: The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition The RA’s annual display and sale of thousands of works by artists from Britain and around the world. THEATRE: Kursk The Young Vic’s [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS June 11, 2009 TOMKINSGoldman Sachs upgraded Tomkins from “neutral” to “buy”, with a revised 12-month price target of 215p. The broker estimates the engineering company will generate a mid-cycle earnings margin of eight per cent and expects it to say in its July interim management statement that its consumer-end markets have stabilised, and its mid-year trading implies that [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS June 11, 2009 Augusta & CoThe independent merchant banking group has appointed Rachael Luxton to strengthen its debt advisory and restructuring capabilities. Luxton joins as a director from the international corporate finance team at Citigroup. She is a specialist in restructuring and managing distressed debt situations, having previously advised firms including MyTravel, Fiat, Yukos and Alstom. Mercer Jerry [...]
Tokyo Aim appoints J-Nomads June 11, 2009 Tokyo Aim, the London Aim market’s new joint venture in Japan, has approved six securities firms to operate as nominated advisers (J-Nomads) on the new exchange. Daiwa Securities, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, Mizuho Investors Securities, Mizuho Securities, Nikko Citi Group and Nomura Securities have been approved as advisers, allowing firms to start preparing listing applications for [...]
