Earthquake and tsunami shatter Japan’s exports April 20, 2011 THE HORRIFIC earthquake and tsunami in Japan last month knocked the country’s exports more than expected, official data revealed yesterday. Disruptions to supply chains saw exports drop 2.2 per cent from a year earlier, a heavier fall than the 1.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent decline anticipated by many economists. It was also the [...]
Inflation pressures ease in Germany April 20, 2011 Producer price inflation in Germany unexpectedly eased in March, down to an annualised rate of 6.2 per cent, from February’s peak of 6.4 per cent. However, compared to February producer prices were up 0.4 per cent. Consumer goods prices grew by 0.3 per cent on the month, the highest rate for consumer goods since September [...]
Swedish Riksbank pushes up rates April 20, 2011 The Swedish crown slipped against the euro yesterday morning, after the central bank raised interest rates, as expected. Rates moved up 0.25 per cent, to 1.75 per cent. The Riksbank kept its forecasts unchanged, predicting three more interest hikes this year. ?Citigroup experts predict a rate of four per cent by mid-2013. The euro rose [...]
Blow for BT as judge supports piracy law April 20, 2011 BT AND TalkTalk have lost a landmark legal case attempting to halt the Digital Economy Act. A judge dismissed their arguments on all but one of the legal points they had made. The decision could lead to thousands of internet users suspected of copyright infringement being bombarded with warning letters and even having their connections [...]
Sage announces a restructuring after Europe boss quits April 20, 2011 Accountancy software firm Sage Group said yesterday it will reorganise its business into three distinct regions – Europe, North America and Asia, Australia, Middle East and Africa (AAMEA) – following the news that Northern Europe chief executive Paul Stobart (pictured) intends to leave the firm. Álvaro Ramírez, chief executive of the firm’s Southern Europe division, [...]
Broadcaster ProSieben sells assets as owners mull exit from the firm April 20, 2011 German broadcaster ProSieben has sold its Belgian and Dutch assets for €1.23bn (£1.1bn), allowing it to pay down debt ahead of a possible exit by its owners. ProSieben, controlled by private equity firms KKR and Permira, said yesterday it has sold the unit to a consortium led by Finnish media group Sanoma. The sale comes [...]
Vodafone considers IPO for Indian joint venture April 20, 2011 VODAFONE will look into a possible IPO of its majority-owned Indian venture Vodafone Essar. Chief executive Vittorio Colao said in an interview the firm will consider the move in the next nine to 12 months. It follows the withdrawal from the partnership of Essar Group, which has opted to exercise an option to sell a [...]
ARM surges on Intel results April 20, 2011 ARM led the FTSE gainers yesterday, rising 5.65 per cent, after blockbuster results from its processor rival Intel. The US firm predicted second-quarter sales of around $12.8bn (£7.8bn), fuelling appetite for chip designer ARM. The Cambridge-based group has made strong gains since Microsoft unveiled its latest round of software running on its processors. Microsoft recently [...]
Sony retires the PSPgo console April 20, 2011 Sony yesterday confirmed it will cease production of its PSPgo handheld console to focus on the upcoming Next Generation Portable (NGP). The PGSPgo, priced at an eye-watering £220, has failed to set the market alight since its 2009 release and the arrival of Nintendo’s new portable 3DS console seems to have hammered the final nail [...]
Lombard aims to raise £25m April 20, 2011 AIM-listed Lombard Medical Technologies said yesterday it plans to raise up to £25.3m through a placing organised by Evolution Securities and Eden Financial. Lombard will use the money to fund the launch and regulatory approval of Aorfix, a stent graft that avoids the need for surgery.
