Glencore paves way for £10bn flotation November 18, 2010 PRIVATELY held commodities giant Glencore is considering listing in the first half of next year, in an IPO that could raise around £10bn. Glencore, the world’s biggest commodity trader, has been preparing to go public after issuing a $2.2bn (£1.bbn) convertible bond last year. The group, which yesterday posted a strong jump in nine-month profit, [...]
The darkest Harry Potter film yet November 18, 2010 Film HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 Cert: 12A It’s never easy preceding the headline act, but part one of the Deathly Hallows – JK Rowling’s final fat tome in the wizardly series that has been split into two films – is pretty engaging, while saving the big dramatics for next year’s finale. [...]
Lagardere aims for Spring IPO November 18, 2010 French media group Lagardere will sell its stake in pay-TV group Canal+ France in an initial public offering (IPO) in spring 2011, Lagardere’s chief financial officer Dominique d’Hinnin said yesterday. D’Hinnin told an investor conference in Spain that Canal+’s majority owner Vivendi had never responded to a price proposal Lagardere had sent early this year, [...]
Ex-car czar Rattner sued by NY November 18, 2010 Steven Rattner, the former Obama administration auto industry czar, was yesterday sued by New York’s attorney general Andrew Cuomo for allegedly paying kickbacks to win investments from the state’s public pension fund. Rattner separately settled a related US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) civil lawsuit, agreeing to pay $6.2m (£3.9m) and accept a two-year ban [...]
Arcadia looks overseas to grow profit November 18, 2010 ARCADIA, the owner of retail chains including Topshop and BHS, is planning further international expansion after posting a 6.4 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to £213.2m for the year to the end of August yesterday. Arcadia Group’s operating profits increased 10.4 per cent to £279.6m in the year, on sales up 40 per cent [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND November 18, 2010 FILM PEEPING TOM Re-release of the classic 1950s psycho thriller. FATHERS OF GIRLS One man’s daughter is another man’s lover. DREAM HOME Gory Hong Kong horror flick. MUSIC TAKE THAT Progress features all five boys in a first since 1995. RIHANNA Rejoice: Rihanna is back with Loud, her fifth album. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Two discs with 21 [...]
Halfords refinances as earnings drive forward November 18, 2010 HALFORDS said yesterday it had refinanced its debt arrangements as it posted a rise in first half profit. The cycle and car parts retailer saw pre-tax profit rise 12.8 per cent in the six months to 1 October. Halfords said it had grown its market share in its more expensive cycles range as more people [...]
Spar MD to move on after nine years November 18, 2010 SPAR UK managing director Jerry Marwood has announced he is set to leave the company after nine years in charge. He will move on next summer but is yet to reveal his future plans. During his time at Spar, Marwood has overseen rapid company growth. The company has a 2,583-strong network of supermarkets in the [...]
SABMiller sales boosted by its emerging markets November 18, 2010 A STRONG recovery in emerging markets helped brewing giant SABMiller beat forecasts with a 16 per cent rise in half-year earnings, while the Miller Lite brewer’s markets in Europe and North America struggled. The world’s second biggest brewer, which earns more than 80 per cent of its profits from emerging markets, said Africa and Asia [...]
John Lewis in sales surge as Xmas nears November 18, 2010 JOHN Lewis said sales had risen by 11.3 per cent over the last four days – driven by a strong performance from fashion and helped by the colder weather. The department store said the week had begun well as consumers started thinking about buying Christmas gifts. Lesley Ballantyne, John Lewis director of operational development said: [...]
