Babcock says sales on track January 25, 2011 BABCOCK International, the defence services group, delivered an upbeat third-quarter trading statement yesterday saying that its strong order book made it “confident” of meeting its full-year targets. The business, led by chief executive Peter Rogers, said third-quarter trade had been strong, driven by growth at its defence, security and marine units. Babcock, which also maintains [...]
DP World sees traffic at its ports lift as world trade rises January 25, 2011 DUBAI’S DP World, the world’s third-largest container operator, saw sales rise 14 per cent higher in 2010 compared to the previous year, in a sign that at least parts of the world economy are gathering momentum. DP World, which is 80 per cent owned by Dubai World, the Arab emirate’s debt-laden, government-owned conglomerate, said the [...]
An SUV with a conscience January 25, 2011 Here’s Kia’s new Sportage, an SUV crossover that confirms the massive changes that SUVs have undergone over the last five years. An ugly, boxy, polluting gas guzzler this ain’t. In fact it’s not even a 4×4 (though there is an All-Wheel-Drive version). This one is 2WD and has Kia’s all new 1.7 CRDi 114bhp diesel [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: HOW HAS BABCOCK DONE SINCE IT BOUGHT VT GROUP? January 25, 2011 PAUL JONES | PANMURE GORDON The order book remains stable, with the bid pipeline showing some growth and expected to grow steadily during the course of the year. Cash generation appears to remain strong, with the integration of VT progressing well. MIKE MURPHY | NUMIS This positive third-quarter management statement should bash the Babcock bears. [...]
SEVERN TRENT SEES LEAKAGES RISE January 25, 2011 Severn Trent said yesterday it has experienced higher levels of leakages so far this winter because of last month’s snow. The water firm, led by chief executive Tony Wray, added its net capital expenditure would range from £400m to £410m for the year. It said that the business expected to book exceptional charges of around [...]
CAR TALK January 25, 2011 FERRARI TO LAUNCH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FOR FIRST TIME Ferrari is launching its first-ever production four-wheel-drive car at March’s Geneva Motor Show. The car, called the Ferrari FF (for now) will replace the 612 coupé and has four seats for four adults, not just two-plus-two, as the 612 has. The car, a front engined V12, [...]
Consultation on UK’s M&A regime means big changes January 25, 2011 THE government is about to launch a consultation on major reforms of Britain’s competition (antitrust) regime. The competition rules won’t be changed, but rather the institutions and procedures by which they are administered. The implications for British business and finance will nonetheless be far-reaching. Three key elements of the likely proposals are worth highlighting. First, [...]
Cheslea retain title hopes After Reebok romp January 24, 2011 BOLTON 0 vs CHELSEA 4 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti believes his side can still retain their Premier League title following last night’s comfortable win over Bolton. A moving tribute to Wanderers’ legend Nat Lofthouse, who passed away 10 days ago, preceded the match, but Chelsea were in far from sympathetic mood as goals from Didier [...]
Should Sky sack star presenters over sexism row? January 24, 2011 DAVID HELLIER YES WHEN it came to the most important offside decision of Liverpool’s win over Wolves, Sian Massey got it right – despite the jibes of presenters Gray and Keys. Now Sky Sports has done the right thing in suspending Keys and Gray – but bosses ought to go further and sack them. Their [...]
Pair reprimanded by broadcaster January 24, 2011 SKY SPORTS duo Andy Gray and Richard Keys were stood down from last night’s live broadcast over their comments about assistant referee Sian Massey in Saturday’s Liverpool-Wolves game. In comments recorded but not broadcast, Gray and Keys – the faces of Sky’s football coverage for 20 years – said Massey and other women “did not [...]
