Skandia posts sales ‘defence’ November 1, 2005 Skandia, the Swedish insurer at the centre of a £3.13bn takeover battle, attempted to bolster its defence yesterday by unveiling a 34 per cent leap in sales. Total premiums and deposits rose in the third quarter to Skr32.4bn (£2.29bn) as all its divisions, including Britain, helped boost revenue. Old Mutual, the British-listed company whose main [...]
Parkdean in talks with Grainger November 1, 2005 Camping and caravan parks operator Parkdean Holidays has confirmed it is in talks which could see it taken over by London-quoted property group Grainger Trust. Parkdean’s shares soared 20 per cent on the news while Grainger warned the discussions may or may not lead to an offer for Britain’s second-biggest operator of holiday sites. Grainger, [...]
Clinton slips into the red November 1, 2005 Clinton Cards was one of the day’s biggest fallers yesterday after the retailer revealed the integration of its new charge, Birthdays, was running five months behind schedule and announcing a slump in recent sales. The company posted a loss of £10.4m on sales of £250.5m in the six months to 31 July. Like-for-like sales were [...]
Profits surge for Dyson November 1, 2005 Profits at Dyson, the company famous for its brightly coloured bag less cleaners, have doubled from £39.6m to £78.2m resulting in a bumper pay packet for founder James Dyson and his wife. The pair took home £28.9m as the private company’s sales increased fourfold largely due to a boom in American sales. Sales to 31 [...]
Blunkett set to sell shares November 1, 2005 Beleaguered Work and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett said yesterday his family will sell shares he bought in a biotech firm, DNA Bioscience. In a written statement Blunkett said he had asked his sons to authorise trustees “to dispose of the shares.” The decision comes after Prime Minister Tony Blair asked the Cabinet Secretary to see [...]
P&O bidding war hots up November 1, 2005 Shares in P&O Ferries surged yesterday as the prospect of a bidding war for the group intensified after it confirmed Dubai Ports World had made a takeover offer. P&O shares rocketed to 425p in early trade and ended the day 30 per cent up at 404p. It is understood UAE government-owned Dubai Ports will face [...]
GM and SAIC to build ‘green’ cars November 1, 2005 American carmaker General Motors and China’s SAIC have signed an agreement to collaborate on manufacturing fuel-efficient hybrid cars for the Chinese market. GM chairman and chief executive Rick Wagoner and SAIC chairman Hu Maoyuan signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday in Shanghai that will see the two firms working together to develop a range of [...]
Villa’s price surges on news of takeover talks November 1, 2005 Shares in Aston Villa surged yesterday after it confirmed takeover talks that could value the Midlands club at £64m. The Aston Villa board said yesterday that it had received a preliminary approach from Birmingham businessman Michael Neville, who is thought to be the front man for brothers Luke and Brian Comer, who run Irish property [...]
Nippon in Pilkington talks November 1, 2005 Shares in St Helen’s-based glass producer Pilkington jumped 25 per cent after confirmation that it is in merger talks with Japanese company Nippon Sheet Glass. Analysts questioned the strategy behind Nippon’s approach, but the stock market was convinced as Pilkington’s shares finished the day at 153.25p a share, up 26.50p. Pilkington’s share price initially spiked [...]
JD Group snaps up Allsports November 1, 2005 Sports retailer John David Group yesterday swooped on stricken rival Allsports in an £18m store and stock deal. Private equity and trade interest in Britain’s fourth-largest sports retailer had fallen away. Retail entrepreneur Mike Ashley is thought to have walked away last week but Ashley has been building a stake in John David Group, suggesting [...]
