Persimmon wary despite sales rise July 6, 2010 HOUSE builder Persimmon reported higher sales and improved debt for the first half of the year, but said consumer uncertainty following the election and the emergency Budget had dampened its outlook. The country’s largest house builder by market value said legal completions on properties in the first half increased by 16 per cent to 4,657 [...]
HMRC gets City’s vote of confidence but change needed July 6, 2010 HM REVENUE and Customs (HMRC), despite winning a vote of confidence from the City still needs to make improvements, an influential survey published yesterday found. After speaking to 22 of the UK’s largest companies, information gathered by law firm Norton Rose found that their relationship with the HMRC was broadly on the right track but [...]
Housing market confidence takes a knock as job losses worry owners July 6, 2010 CONFIDENCE in the housing market dipped slightly last month, as worries about interest rate rises and job losses loomed over homeowners, according to a survey released yesterday. Just over three-quarters of homeowners believe property prices will rise in the next six months, down from 81 per cent who predicted gains in April. Around 27 per [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS July 6, 2010 WM MORRISON Collins Stewart upgrades Wm Morrison to a “buy” with a new target price of 300p. Cites Morrison’s valuation relative to the European food retail peer group, strength of the balance sheet and its many strategic opportunities as key positives. Believes shares offer good value relative to peers. ATOS ORIGIN S&P maintains its “sell” [...]
NEWS | IN BRIEF July 6, 2010 Toyota yesterday recalled 3,238 Lexus vehicles that could be affected by a rare problem with the valve operating system. The carmaker said the valve spring could degrade, causing it to break and make the engine misfire or run rough. It stressed there have been no accidents related to the issue – which affects certain vehicles [...]
NEWS | IN BRIEF July 6, 2010 GeoPark has revealed new gas and oil finds in the Fell block in Chile. In a drilling update yesterday, the company released details about the successful testing of the wells – Cerro Iturbe 1, the new gas discovery, and Tetera 4, the new oil producer. GeoPark operates and has a 100 per cent working interest [...]
NEWS | IN BRIEF July 6, 2010 Industrial services group Cape yesterday announced it has won an $18m (£12m) contract to provide thermal insulation works on the Borouge phase of three petrochemical projects in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The Yorkshire-based company has been operating in Abu Dhabi since 1979.
Oranje-Boom! Holland march into World Cup final July 6, 2010 URUGUAY (2) vs HOLLAND (3) HOLLAND survived late Uruguayan pressure to maintain their incredible 25-game winning streak and book their place in the World Cup final. The Cape Town skyline descended into a sea of orange as Bert van Marwijk’s side remained on course to lift the country’s first-ever world trophy and finally bury the [...]
Dutch will ensure a cracking finale July 6, 2010 WHETHER it’s Germany or Spain who meet Holland in Sunday’s World Cup final, you can be sure of one thing – it’s going to be a cracker. While the Germans have lit the tournament up with their movement and flowing, counter-attacking style, the Spanish are warming up nicely with their abundance of talent just ready [...]
Spain are still the best, says star Schweini July 6, 2010 GERMANY vs SPAIN Tonight, BBC1, ko 7.30pm BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER has played down his side’s chances of clinching a World Cup final place, insisting Spain are favourites for tonight’s last-four clash in Cape Town. The young German side have arguably been the most impressive team in the competition so far, while the Spanish have endured a [...]
