Grant Thornton reports 40pc surge in annual pre-tax profit October 18, 2010 Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton yesterday said annual pre-tax profits grew by 40.2 per cent to £77.6m following its merger with Robson Rhodes and a period of restructuring and cost-cutting. In the year to 30 June the firm’s revenue rose 0.4 per cent to £379.7m. Advisory revenue grew 11.1 per cent to £151.2m but [...]
AIA to close IPO books early as investors jump to buy the shares October 18, 2010 THE PLANNED Hong Kong initial public offering of AIA, the Asian life insurance business of American International Group (AIG), is set to close two days earlier than anticipated after institutional investors rushed to pledge their interest in buying the shares, it emerged yesterday. AIA has indicated that it will price the IPO later this week [...]
Rovers cling on for draw despite Samba red card October 18, 2010 BLACKBURN (0) vs SUNDERLAND (()) SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce berated his toothless side after they were held by 10-man Blackburn in torrential conditions at Ewood Park. Rovers defender Christopher Samba was dismissed in first-half stoppage time for bundling over Danny Welbeck on the edge of the penalty area. But the Black Cats could not take [...]
Summer hols give a lift to Eurotunnel October 18, 2010 EUROTUNNEL, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, said yesterday a bumper summer helped boost revenues for the year so far by 10 per cent. The Paris-based firm said core revenue for the three months to the end of September grew eight per cent compared to last year to €181.3m (£159m). This rose to €212.1m when [...]
Strachan tears up contract on Boro departure October 18, 2010 MANAGER Gordon Strachan waived a pay-off by ripping up his contract after parting company with Championship strugglers Middlesbrough yesterday. Strachan left the Riverside after a disappointing start to the season in which Boro have won just three games and slumped to 20th. “Gordon has torn up his contract and walked away without compensation because he [...]
Qatar Holding snaps up 5pc stake of Santander in Brazil October 18, 2010 QATAR will take a five per cent stake in the Brazilian unit of Spanish lender Banco Santander, with a $2.7bn (£1.7bn) investment that adds to its big bank deals in recent years. Santander, the Eurozone’s biggest bank, will issue bonds to Qatar Holding – the direct investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority – that [...]
Northeast Utilities will buy rival Nstar for $4.2bn in all-stock deal October 18, 2010 Northeast Utilities will buy rival NStar in a $4.17bn (£2.63bn) all-stock deal to create a utility that will provide power and gas to more than half of the customers in New England, the companies said yesterday. The firms said the increase in scale would allow them to better shoulder their investment plans, and would also [...]
Gatland signs up until 2015 October 18, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales coach Warren Gatland has extended his contract, committing himself to the job until the end of the 2015 World Cup. The New Zealander’s new deal ends speculation he could return home to Waikato Chiefs and appears to rule out any major role with the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. [...]
Carroll bailed to live with Nolan October 18, 2010 FOOTBALL: Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has been bailed on a charge of assault – on the condition that he lives with team-mate Kevin Nolan. England Under-21 star Carroll appeared in court yesterday accused of attacking an ex-girlfriend early on Sunday morning. He was granted conditional bail on the proviso he stays with captain Nolan until [...]
Merritt banned for 21 months October 18, 2010 ATHLETICS: American Olympic and world 400m champion LaShawn Merritt has been handed a 21-month ban for doping. Merritt tested positive three times for testosterone and accepted a provisional suspension earlier this year. His ban has been backdated to his first positive test in October 2009, meaning all results since than have been annulled but opening [...]
