German factory orders give hope January 17, 2011 Germany’s booming economic recovery could face a slowdown, the Bundesbank warned yesterday. Last year the economy expanded at its fastest rate since reunification, following a severe downturn during the global recession. Despite a possible slowdown, strong manufacturing orders from the final quarter of 2010 bode well for German prospects, the Bundesbank’s monthly report said.
Low rates reduce business costs January 17, 2011 Despite rising global commodity prices, business costs continued to fall in December, driven lower by cheap financing costs. “A pick-up in investment demand from the corporate sector is perhaps our best hope of securing a sustained recovery through 2011,” commented Erik Britton of Fathom, who published the results yesterday.
Japanese consumers downbeat January 17, 2011 Recent positive data from Japan was dampened yesterday, as consumer confidence slipped downwards for the sixth successive month. The figures, released by the Bank of Japan, disappointed economists who had expected an upturn.
Airbus beats Boeing in new plane orders January 17, 2011 EUROPEAN planemaker Airbus scored a surprise victory in the annual orders race against Boeing and celebrated the 10,000th plane sale in its 40-year history with a $5bn (£3.15bn) order from Virgin America. A last-minute surge pushed Airbus past its US rival for a third year as it held onto a net order market share of [...]
Boparan races to prepare an offer for Northern before its takeover deadline January 17, 2011 CONVENIENCE foods tycoon Ranjit Boparan is gearing up to make an offer for Northern Foods ahead of his Takeover Panel deadline of Friday, a person familiar with the matter said yesterday. Boparan asked bankers at Rothschild to examine Northern’s books last month, and is racing to complete due diligence and make an announcement this week [...]
Costain wins contract to build first bridge over the Thames in 20 years January 17, 2011 Construction giant Costain has won a contract to build the first major road crossing over the River Thames in almost 20 years. The firm said it had received the go-ahead from Surrey County Council to construct the bridge between Walton and Shepperton as part of a £32.3m scheme. The Walton bridge is due to be [...]
US Navy contract for Rolls January 17, 2011 BRITISH engineering group Rolls-Royce yesterday said it had won a contract to supply gas turbines and waterjets for up to 10 of the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships. Rolls-Royce already supplies propulsion equipment for some of the Lockheed Martin-built vessels and the new deal extends this with one firm order and options on a further [...]
An upbeat SDL appoints a new chief executive January 17, 2011 BRITISH translation software firm SDL named its chief financial officer John Hunter as its new chief executive yesterday after a period of strong trading that will see full-year revenue and profits ahead of consensus. Revenue is now expected to be in the range of £202.5m to £203.5m, compared with analyst consensus forecasts of £191.1m. Profits [...]
SGS ups dividend as profits rise January 17, 2011 SGS, the world’s largest inspection services company, raised its dividend and said it saw stronger top-line growth this year after demand for its services picked up in 2010. Full-year net profit at SGS rose 8.4 per cent to 588m Swiss francs (£382.7m) and revenue increased 4.1 per cent on a constant currency basis to 4.8bn [...]
Balfour Beatty closes school deal January 17, 2011 Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has reached financial close on the £80m Hertfordshire Schools contract that it won in August last year. The scheme will deliver a capital investment programme with Hertfordshire County Council for the construction of two mainstream and one special educational needs school.
