Swedish PM in WikiLeaks row February 13, 2011 A lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has accused Sweden’s prime minister of damaging his client’s chances of a fair trial for alleged sex crimes by portraying him as “public enemy number one.” Assange’s lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, opposing a Swedish bid to extradite the Australian from Britain, said Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt had created a [...]
Bargain Booze sale considered February 13, 2011 Private equity firm ECI Partners is mulling a sale of Britain’’ biggest off-licence drinks retailer chain, Bargain Booze, for about £90m, according to a weekend report. The firm has appointed advisers at accountancy group KPMG to carry out a strategic review, with options including a sale or refinancing of Bargain Booze. ECI took control of [...]
SuperGroup chief taking on the world February 13, 2011 SUPERGROUP founder Julian Dunkerton is not a man to stay still for long. He says he will not rest until his über-cool brands are sported by trendy young things across the globe. Dunkerton’s usual working day starts at 8.45am when he gets to the office in Cheltenham, after having taken his daughters to school and [...]
Mergers are needed to keep bourses in business February 13, 2011 TWO blockbuster stock exchange tie-ups were announced last week, sparking a rush of speculation that others may follow. But what are the forces behind this drive to consolidate, and is it sustainable? On Wednesday, the London Stock Exchangeagreed a merger with Canada’s Toronto Metals Exchange, to establish the world’s biggest trading exchange by listings, with [...]
BHP and Anglo set for record results February 13, 2011 BHP BILLITON is expected to best its mining rivals with around $15bn (£9.4bn) profit when it reports half-year results on Wednesday. Expectations are high for the Anglo-Australian miner after bumper results from Rio Tinto and Xstrata last week on the back of soaring commodity prices. Analysts at UBS have forecast underlying earnings of $10.7bn, with [...]
FTSE will open higher but relief over Egypt may wane February 13, 2011 A positive start is expected for stock markets this morning, continuing the relief rally that began on Friday when President Mubarak’s decision to stand down was announced. GFT is quoting the FTSE 100 index to open up 15 points from Friday’s close, at a level of 6,077. Elsewhere in Europe the German Dax is called [...]
WALL ST WEEK AHEAD February 13, 2011 The new national pastimes are calling the top of the stock market, commenting on Middle Eastern affairs – and buying dips. Stocks have shown remarkable resilience as investors snap up any drop in prices, even in the face of what seem like considerable risks – an overbought market and a still potentially explosive situation in [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS February 13, 2011 HOMESERVE Numis Securities has raised its recommendation on the household services firm from “hold” to “buy” with a target price of 545p. The broker predicts strong international growth alongside modest gains in the UK to contribute to profits doubling over five years. Numis believes that the firm requires very little capital to grow the business. [...]
VALENTINES ADDING TO OUR TRADE DEFICIT February 13, 2011 THERE are no excuses for disappointing Valentines dates this evening who fail to produce a plush dozen roses: rose deliveries to the UK this year are at record highs. Virgin Atlantic’s cargo division has reported a 40 per cent increase in the volume of flower deliveries to the UK from Kenya, our main supplier of roses, compared to [...]
BILL OF THE WEEK February 13, 2011 A THIRSTY bunch crashed newly opened family restaurant Chabrot in Knightsbridge recently, taking advantage of the reasonable food prices to explore the fine wines menu put together by sommelier Philippe Messy. Balancing their liquids and solids, the four dinner guests kicked off their meal with a couple of plates of fois gras, salmon, oysters and a [...]
