Clinton’s looming date with death was on the cards May 9, 2012 I’M SURPRISED about Clinton Cards. Not that it has gone into administration, you understand – I’m surprised it lasted so long. It’s a struggling retailer with a gigantic high street footprint (861 stores in the UK, including 188 Birthdays outlets) selling a disposable product with no intrinsic value that you could replace with a free [...]
Are the policies announced in the Queen’s Speech enough to reassure UK businesses? May 9, 2012 YES Mark Boleat The proposals outlined in the Queen’s Speech are good news for business. Strong corporate governance is the backbone of good regulation. The government’s endeavours to reinforce shareholder votes are a welcome move that will empower them to have a stronger say on pay packages and bonuses for directors. Ultimately, it is the [...]
RAPID RESPONSES May 9, 2012 Facebook’s trials [Re: Is Facebook’s estimated market value excessively high?, Tuesday] Facebook is often compared to Microsoft. They’re both hugely successful companies that tens of millions use, but which few really love (in contrast to Apple). Facebook has shown impressive growth in revenues and profitability, but to become a $100bn company it must face two [...]
The alternative summer blockbusters May 9, 2012 Blockbuster movies arrive in the summer, when the kids are off school and people aren’t forced into hibernation by inclement weather. The big games, though, hit shelves in the autumn, in time for Christmas. This year will see titles including Grand Theft Auto V, Halo 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Assassin’s Creed III, [...]
THIS SUMMER’S GAMING ON THE GO May 9, 2012 The Journey Down This port of the classic game will bring the point and click adventure to iOS and Android devices. Judging by the trailer, the graphics are lush and the humour is as deadpan as ever. N.O.V.A. 3 It is testament to how far portable devices have come that they can run a multi-player, [...]
City revolt hits more top chiefs May 8, 2012 THE SHAREHOLDER Spring yesterday claimed its highest-profile victim yet as Aviva chief executive Andrew Moss quit the insurance giant following investor protests. His resignation came on the same day that William Hill boss Ralph Topping avoided losing a vote on his remuneration package by the narrowest of margins. Moss, who had led the firm since [...]
World stocks hit by panic in Eurozone May 8, 2012 STOCKS slumped around the globe yesterday as renewed worries over the Eurozone crisis pushed investors to flee risky assets. There were fears that Greece could be forced to leave the euro, after a second day of attempts to form a government failed. Fresh elections are expected to be held next month, adding to market instability. [...]
Dave and Nick fight back ahead of Queen’s Speech May 8, 2012 PRIME Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg launched their coalition fight-back yesterday, visiting small firms in Essex ahead of a Queen’s Speech that they hope will boost business and reaffirm faith in the City. Today’s announcement of the coalition government’s plans will include a bill to slash red tape and may involve reforms [...]
It sometimes appears as if the euro was designed to fail May 8, 2012 REMEMBER those debates about whether the Eurozone was an optimal currency zone? Everybody knew it wasn’t when the euro was launched, yet the EU’s politicians disregarded the economics and went for it anyway. They then compounded their recklessness by expanding the Eurozone’s size, bringing together increasingly disparate economies under the European Central Bank’s one size [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING May 8, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Mobile operator stops insurance sales A sharp rise in fraudulent claims has pushed UK mobile phone network 3 to stop selling insurance, an unusual move underscoring the scale of customer deception facing mobile operators. Strathclyde in elected Lords warning An elected House of Lords could become more “aggressive”, frustrate key pieces of legislation [...]
