Provident Financial pre-Christmas sales help profits exceed market predictions January 13, 2011 DOORSTEP lender Provident Financial said 2010 results would be slightly ahead of market expectations after sales of loans strengthened further in the run up to Christmas despite disruption caused by heavy snow. “The group had a strong finish to 2010 and expects to report results slightly ahead of market expectations,” chief executive Peter Crook said [...]
BLOOMSBURY SALES ON TARGET FOR 2010 January 13, 2011 UK PUBLISHING house Bloomsbury has said that its 2010 trading figures are in line with expectations. Including US sales, it said year-end cash is likely to total around £34.2m. The publisher has been boosted this year by strong sales of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, a film version of which was released in September starring [...]
This hornet has a comic sting January 13, 2011 FILM THE GREEN HORNET Cert: 12A SETH Rogen is both writer and star of the latest film to play fast and loose with the superhero genre. He plays Britt Reid, a rich layabout who becomes a masked crime fighter principally because it amuses him – and it amuses us too. Rogen manages to weave the [...]
Weak profits for Korea’s POSCO January 13, 2011 POSCO, the world’s number three steelmaker, posted a weaker-than-expected quarterly profit and warned it was struggling to pass on rising costs as floods in Australia disrupt raw material supplies. South Korea’s POSCO is already a laggard among Asian steelmakers in terms of price increases, share price performance and profitability, and higher costs will deal it [...]
More cost saving for Hydro January 13, 2011 Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro said yesterday it had ramped up its cost saving programme and saw increased global demand this year, while warning of technical delays at its new smelting plant in Qatar. Shares in Norsk Hydro fell 1.86 per cent as analysts expressed concern about a potential eight-week delay at the Qatalum smelter [...]
Ski chic for men with style January 13, 2011 1 Napapijri knit top, £194, www.harrods.com 2 Stetson fur trapper hat, £74.99, www.julesb.co.uk 3 Burgandy shawl collar jumper, Topman, £38, www.topman.com 4 Barts quilted beanie, £16.99, www.johnlewis.com 5 Sorel caribou wool men’s apres ski boots, £135, www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk 6 Napapijri white ski pants, £239, www.napapijri.com 7 Mover gore-tex primaloft sport jacket, £590, www.mover.se 8 Moncler Anderson [...]
ALSO OUT THIS WEEKEND January 13, 2011 FILM CONVICTION Worthy legal drama with Hilary Swank on another Oscar push as a woman who learned the law to defend her brother. NEDS Scottish actor and director Peter Mullan returns after years away with this tale of delinquent life in 1970s Glasgow. DVD GAINSBOURG Beautifully-made biopic about French songwriter, singer and lascivious hard liver [...]
Ashmore sees assets rise as funds flow in January 13, 2011 STRONG inflows have helped emerging markets fund manager Ashmore grow its assets under management (AUM) by 12 per cent to $46.7bn (£29.4bn) in its second quarter. The surprise increase comes after investors flocked to join the fund, contributing to net inflows hitting $5.2bn, offsetting a $0.1bn drop in AUM due to adverse investment performance. Analysts [...]
Ferrovial returns to BAA talks January 13, 2011 SPAIN’S Ferrovial is in talks with investors to sell 10 per cent of UK airport operator BAA, which runs London’s Heathrow, by June, its chief executive said, in a move to halve a €24.5bn (£20.5bn) debt pile. Ferrovial will seek offers for the stake, estimated last year to be worth about €200m, in the last [...]
BASILDON January 13, 2011 BEECHWOOD VILLAGE Price: £234,000 A contemporary four-bedroom home with style and eco-credentials. Its slick interior belies this property’s energy-efficient design which promises reduced carbon emissions and a sizeable dent in your energy bill. Leafy avenues, a cycle lane and an ecological park comprise this house’s idyllic environs. Contact: Swan New Homes on 08000 195005 or [...]
