Why the polls don’t tell the whole story of the US election October 30, 2012 IF EUROPEAN citizens could vote for Barack Obama, the incumbent President’s people would already be stocking up on ticker tape, celebratory balloons and patriotic banners. A YouGov survey of seven European countries released yesterday showed that if the election was held here, Obama would receive over 90 per cent of the vote in each country, [...]
Strong UK train showing buoys Stagecoach October 30, 2012 TRANSPORT group Stagecoach said it had traded well in its first half due to a strong performance from its British rail and US bus businesses. The Perth-based company yesterday said like-for-like revenues at its British rail unit rose 7.9 per cent in the 24 weeks to 14 October, while sales at its North America coach [...]
UK dealers cheer rising sales of luxury vehicles and used cars October 30, 2012 A SLEW of UK car dealers heralded a strong spell of trading yesterday, with sales of both luxury motors and used vehicles on the rise. Shares in high-end car dealership HR Owen closed 11.2 per cent higher after the firm said it was trading ahead of expectations and that full-year profits are on track to [...]
Carlyle snaps up Japanese packaging arm October 30, 2012 Carlyle Group yesterday said it will buy a Japanese unit of US food packaging company Sealed Air at an undisclosed price, in the private equity firm’s second Japanese acquisition in a month. Carlyle has agreed to acquire Diversey Japan, a major provider of cleaning, sanitation and hygiene products and services, from Sealed Air, the company [...]
British firms get lift from sale of Horizon nuclear power project October 30, 2012 BRITISH firms cashed in on the sale of Horizon Nuclear Power yesterday, as Babcock and Rolls-Royce won contracts to help Hitachi deliver its new build nuclear power project in the UK. Engineering support services company Babcock and power systems provider Rolls-Royce will help Hitachi with manufacturing, engineering and technical services at two sites in the [...]
Glencore set to offer a merger compromise for EU regulators October 30, 2012 COMMODITIES trader Glencore, hoping to speed its multi-billion pound takeover of Xstrata over its final hurdles, was last night gearing up to offer to sell part of the group’s zinc assets, meeting a deadline set by European authorities. Industry sources said Glencore’s desire to avoid an in-depth investigation in Brussels would prompt it to respond [...]
Who’s switching jobs October 30, 2012 Cushman & Wakefield The commercial real estate services firm has appointed Richard Davies as a partner and head of retail property and asset management in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He joins from Jones Lang LaSalle, where he was lead director for property and asset management in the UK. CVC Capital Partners The private equity [...]
Best of the Brokers October 30, 2012 BOOKER GROUP Investec upped its target price from 104p to 108p and reiterated “buy”. The broker said recent results showed Booker’s core still business has excellent momentum despite weather challenges. ARM HOLDINGS Jefferies has raised its target price from 485p to 693p and kept its “hold” rating after Arm posted better-than-expected quarterly figures last week [...]
NYSE expected to re-open for trading today October 30, 2012 THE US stock market was closed for a second straight day yesterday as cash equity trading was cancelled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Yesterday’s shutdown was the first time weather had resulted in a two-day market shutdown since the Great Blizzard of 1888. Exchanges expect to reopen today. NYSE Euronext said the New York [...]
Strong BP results fuel FTSE to a one per cent jump amid weak volumes October 30, 2012 BRITISH blue-chip index posted its biggest gain in two weeks yesterday after BP’s earnings topped forecasts, although volumes were among the lowest this year as US markets stayed shut. BP shares topped the FTSE 100 gainers, jumping 4.2 per cent after the oil giant lifted its dividend and delivered better-than-expected third-quarter earnings. The index closed [...]
