Skittish win for Murray in Cincinnati August 18, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray may be hotly tipped to claim a long-awaited first Grand Slam at the US Open next month, but he will need to improve on last night’s addled victory to even make it into the second week. The world No4 looked to be coasting to a straightforward second-round win over Jeremy Chardry at [...]
Nasri injury blow for Gunners August 18, 2010 ARSENAL suffered another early-season injury blow yesterday after Samir Nasri underwent minor surgery on a knee injury. The Frenchman suffered the injury in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool and has been ruled out for a month. Nasri, 23, was drafted in by boss Arsene Wenger to fill Cesc Fabregas’s centre midfield role after the captain [...]
Poulsen lined up for Reds debut August 18, 2010 NEW signing Christian Poulsen could be set to make his Liverpool bow tonight when Roy Hodgson’s men take on Turkish side Trabzonspor in their Europa League play-off. The Danish international is being lined up for his first taste of the action since his £4.5m move from Juventus last week as a replacement for Javier Mascherano, [...]
It’s hotting up for Investec August 18, 2010 AS the days go by a competitive edge is beginning to creep into the Investec team as they take the Garmin #4miler Challenge to a whole new level. The fastest time yet of 27 minutes 58 seconds belongs to 33-year-old private banker David Knott who is clearly reaping the rewards as he prepares for the [...]
Stagecoach is on track as rail improves August 18, 2010 STAGECOACH yesterday reported a rise in sales at its British and US transport businesses, with its rail operations performing strongly. Stagecoach, operator of the South West Trains franchise in Britain and which last year failed in an attempt to buy rival National Express, said in a statement it had significant undrawn bank facilities. The company’s [...]
Lookers on the up in profit surge August 18, 2010 CAR dealer Lookers yesterday reported a “record trading performance” as profit surged by a third. First-half pre-tax profit was £22.7m – 29 per cent up on the £17.6m it made in the same period a year earlier. Sales were £988.3m, compared with £870.4m. New car sales increased by a quarter despite fears over consumer confidence [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR STAGECOACH? August 18, 2010 KEITH BOWMAN | HARGREAVES LANSDOWN Despite some near term concern regarding possible government spending cuts, a favourable combination of economic recovery, possible M&A activity and wider environmental trends all support a favourable [buy] market consensus opinion. The company’s marketing campaigns have also been successful. PAUL HICKMAN | KCB PEEL HUNT Stagecoach’s uniformly strong first-quarter results [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS August 18, 2010 INMARSAT Bank of America Merrill Lynch cuts its price target for Inmarsat to 700p from 725p warning it has “several structural” issues, against a deteriorating macro environment. Says Harbinger using its option to use Inmarsat’s US spectrum, worth £1.50 a share, is a possible positive, but adds this won’t happen in 2010. AMEC RBS recommends [...]
Charles Taylor warns on profit August 18, 2010 Insurance consultancy Charles Taylor Consulting warned yesterday full-year earnings would miss earlier estimates, after its first half was hit partly by weak public sector business, sending its shares down 22.5 per cent. For the six months ended 30 June, the company posted a nearly flat pre-tax profit of £5.7m. Adjusted pre-tax profit was down one [...]
Ambrian snaps up Masefield August 18, 2010 Specialist investment bank Ambrian Capital said yesterday it had acquired Masefield Biofuels, which focuses on biodiesel produced from palm oil, from the Masefield Group. It did not reveal the price. Ambrian said it would invest $5m (£3.2m) of capital into the new company, to be called Ambrian Energy and be headed by Bernd Sturmheit who [...]
