Service price inflation slides November 21, 2012 Price rises on services remained slow in the third quarter, according to official data out yesterday, reaching their slowest pace of increase since the end of 2009. Services cost 1.1 per cent more in the third quarter of 2012 than in the same period of 2011, according to the service producer prices index from the [...]
Finances still tight as slump ends November 21, 2012 Millions of households are still struggling with their finances, a survey out yesterday suggested, despite an official end to recession. Some 2.5m homes said they were unable to pay all their bills, according to estimates from Legal & General, stable compared to a year ago, but some 300,000 more than seen in 2010, before the [...]
Japan exports drop for fifth time November 21, 2012 Japan’s exports fell in annual terms for a fifth month in October, hurt by the fallout from a diplomatic row with China and feeble global demand, a further sign the economy may be slipping into recession and adding weight to calls for policy easing. Shipments to China, Japan’s top export market, dropped an annual 11.6 [...]
Platinum prices affect Johnson Matthey’s sales November 21, 2012 REVENUE at speciality chemicals company Johnson Matthey sank 17 per cent over the half year to September, as it was hurt by falling platinum prices. Operating profit for the precious metals division was down 33 per cent to £71.8m, while sales were down five per cent over the half year, hurt by lower average precious [...]
Compass beefs up buyback in spite of its European troubles November 21, 2012 COMPASS Group, the world’s biggest caterer, posted a nine per cent rise in full-year profit yesterday, and pledged to return a further £400m to shareholders. The group, which serves 4bn meals a year in 50 countries, said it will add to its buyback scheme next year, in addition to its £500m scheme expected to end [...]
Compass heads in the right direction thanks to Cousins November 21, 2012 CHIEF executives take a lot of criticism, but some firms demonstrate what a difference the right boss can make. Six years ago, Richard Cousins stepped into the top role at Compass, following a series of profit warnings by the global contract catering firm. Compass’ latest results are more solid than stellar, but Cousins’ presence still [...]
Mothercare hires Argos finance boss to help with turnaround November 21, 2012 MOTHERCARE has hired the finance director of Argos to help the struggling retailer with its transformation plans. Matt Smith, a former KPMG director who has spent 10 years at Argos parent firm Home Retail Group, will join the firm at a date yet to be announced. Mothercare has stepped up its fight to halt declining [...]
Hyder Consulting gets boost from Middle East contracts November 21, 2012 INCREASED revenues from the Middle East and Asia boosted pre-tax profit at design and engineering consultancy Hyder Consulting in the six months to September. Pre-tax profit jumped 28 per cent to £12m, flattered by a 19 per cent increase in revenue from Asia Pacific, and a 15 per cent jump in revenue from Middle East. [...]
Pre-tax profits jump 37pc at HICL November 21, 2012 Infrastructure investment company HICL yesterday posted a 37 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to £42.2m over the six months to September. Over the period it made total investments of £106.4m, including in four PFI projects such as Romford Hospital and Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The investment company also raised £250m from a new C share [...]
Optos boosted by Daytona device November 21, 2012 Medical technology company Optos yesterday reported revenue of $196.4m (£123.3m) over the year to September, a 37 per cent increase from last year, helped by the roll-out of its Daytona device that made $21m in revenue over the 12 months. Pre-tax profits rose 16 per cent to £26.3m. The firm added that it planned to [...]
