January sees new cars surge by a third on scrappage boost February 4, 2010 The government’s scrappage scheme led new car sales to surge by almost a third this January, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said yesterday. Despite the return of the 17.5 per cent VAT rate, 145,479 new cars were registered over the month, a 29.8 per cent increase on last year. This made January [...]
Chelsea get transfer ban overturned February 4, 2010 CHELSEA are free to embark on a summer spending spree after their 18-month transfer ban was revoked by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Blues were banned in September after world chiefs Fifa ruled they had illegally induced French youngster Gael Kakuta to break a contract with Lens and move to England. Chelsea [...]
National Grid is on track for£3.4bn of investment in 2010 February 4, 2010 NATIONAL GRID, which owns Britain’s electricity and natural gas transmission networks, said yesterday the firm made a “very strong” performance in the first half of the year and it expects to raise its full-year dividend by eight per cent. The business, which also owns a large power transmission network in New York and along the [...]
Wilko’s centenary waltz February 4, 2010 JONNY WILKINSON says he is honoured to become a part of history tomorrow when England celebrate 100 years of rugby at Twickenham with a crunch Six Nations opener with Wales. Wilkinson, 30, has been the jewel in England’s crown since making his international debut in 1998 and has gone on to score a world record [...]
Enel sees hike in core earnings February 4, 2010 Italy’s dominant utility Enel posted an above-expectations rise in core earnings in 2009 despite unfavourable market conditions, boosted by the contribution of its Spanish unit Endesa. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation last year were up 11.9 per cent at around €16bn (£14bn).
Hitachi beats expectations February 4, 2010 Hitachi, Japan’s biggest electronics maker, yesterday exceeded market expectations by swinging to its first quarterly net profit in six quarters. The company, eyeing a recovery in demand from the auto industry and further restructuring, lifted its forecast to a net loss of 210bn yen (£1.5bn)) for the year ending in March, from a previous forecast [...]
Buffett vehicle raises $8bn February 4, 2010 Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway firm yesterday sold $8bn of debt to help pay for its $26bn acquisition of railroad operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe, in the 11th largest US corporate bond sale ever. The sale came as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services stripped its top triple-A rating from Berkshire Hathaway and various units, citing the [...]
We have no-one to fear, claims Wales coach Gatland February 4, 2010 WALES head coach Warren Gatland says his side fear no-one in their quest to reclaim the Six Nations Championship. Gatland’s men meet England at Twickenham tomorrow looking to recreate their start of two years ago when victory in south-west London launched their Grand Slam campaign. The Welsh suffered heartbreak last season when Stephen Jones’ missed [...]
Mancini fury at ‘incredible decision’ to deny Kenya star Mariga a work permit February 4, 2010 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has slammed the Home Office for scuppering his deadline-day move to sign Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga. City agreed a fee with Parma and terms with the player but could not complete the signing because Mariga was refused a work permit on the basis of Kenya’s low world ranking. Mariga, 22, [...]
Housing market rebound starts to run out of steam February 4, 2010 HOUSE PRICES continued to rise in January but the pace of growth fell to its slowest level in six months, mortgage lender Halifax said yesterday, reiterating its view that UK property prices would remain flat in 2010. The monthly survey showed that house prices rose 0.6 per cent on the month in January, taking the [...]
