IoD and CBI slam weak key skills as GCSE passes surge August 24, 2010 RADICAL changes to the current education system are needed to stop underachievement amongst GCSE students, warned industry bodies yesterday, saying that poor literacy and numeracy skills could impede future business growth. Despite record pass rates for the 23rd year in a row with nearly seven in ten grades a C or above, the Institute of [...]
Promethean shares hit record low as margins shrink and outlook dims August 24, 2010 Promethean World yesterday saw its shares tumble to an all-time low after a disappointing trading update. The interactive education technology firm posted a surge in profit, but lower margins and a lacklustre outlook sent investors running for cover. The firm, which supplies interactive white boards and learning software to schools, said its gross margins declined [...]
Burger King hikes profit but warns on jobs August 24, 2010 BURGER King reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit as it kept a tight rein on expenses yesterday. Yet the fast-food chain, which counts the infamous Whopper beefburger among its products, said business would remain under pressure in the new year because of lingering unemployment and government austerity programmes in several European countries. Burger King is more vulnerable [...]
CITY VIEWS: DO YOU THINK GCSE EXAMS ARE GETTING EASIER? August 24, 2010 DAVID MARSHALL | CORK, BAYS AND FISHER “I now view schools as politicised agencies. Education has changed, and governments use exams to make themselves look good. Students are taught to get a good grade, and are no longer prepared for life outside of the parameters of the exams.” VAIBHAV TIWARI | EPARTNERS “I am here [...]
Banks and miners suffer after MPC’s Weale warns of fresh dip August 24, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index closed lower yesterday after weak US existing home sales data cast further doubt on the economic recovery story, with UK banks, miners and energy stocks bearing the brunt of the sell-off. The FTSE 100 ended down 78.89 points, or 1.5 per cent, at 5,155.95, its lowest close since 20 July, having [...]
Weak housing data drag equities down August 24, 2010 US stocks slumped, with the Dow and S&P 500 on track for a fourth day of declines as an unexpectedly large drop in home sales ratcheted up concerns about the economic recovery. Sales of US existing homes in July plummeted 27 percent to their slowest pace in 15 years, an industry group reported. The drop [...]
Good trading helps Punch cut net debt August 24, 2010 Punch Taverns, the country’s largest pubs group, said yesterday it expected full-year earnings to be slightly ahead of its previous expectations – reflecting a pub improvement programme, a good World Cup and sunny summer weather. The company, which runs more than 7,100 pubs, said sales at pubs it directly manages, which have been open for [...]
Aer Lingus swings to profit and vows to retain its independence August 24, 2010 IRISH airline Aer Lingus swung to profit in the second quarter after cost cuts more than offset the revenue hit from a volcanic ash cloud, and vowed to defend its independence by cutting costs further into next year. Aer Lingus has cut unprofitable US routes, reduced staff and fuel costs to survive in Ryanair’s shadow [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: ARE YOU ENCOURAGED BY THE POSITIVE UPDATE FROM PUNCH? August 24, 2010 HUGH-GUY LORRIMAN | SEYMOUR PIERCE The public statements of Punch are about stabilisation. However, the underlying trend which affects group profit forecasts remains, we believe, negative for the annual period. SIMON FRENCH | PANMURE GORDON We remain positive on Punch as the group continues to make quicker-than-expected progress in improving the operating performance of the [...]
Arctic gas find falls short of Cairn hopes August 24, 2010 OIL explorer Cairn said yesterday it has found “encouraging” gas and oil bearing sands in the Arctic, and remains confident it can produce fuel in the region despite the failure of its first well. Shares dipped four per cent to 445.50p as investors hoping for a major oil find at the well near Greenland were [...]
