Irish central bank slashes forecasts and calls to resist easing deficit reduction plans July 26, 2013 The Central Bank of Ireland has slashed growth forecasts for 2013, cutting them from 1.2 per cent to 0.7 per cent (release). The 2012 data, along with the preliminary data for the first quarter of 2013 suggest a relatively muted recovery in activity this year. GDP growth of 0.7 per cent is now projected for [...]
United Utilities on track for year July 26, 2013 UNITED Utilities said that trading is in line with expectations, ahead of the FTSE 100-listed utility firm’s annual meeting later today. Capital investment, including infrastructure renewals expenditure, is expected to be around £800m. Group net debt has edged down to £156m. “The business will continue with its strong focus on customer service through sound operational [...]
Anglo American chief unveils management shake-up July 26, 2013 FTSE 100-listed miner Anglo American today reported a 15 per cent decrease in half-year operating profit to $3.3bn (£2.2bn), alongside a shake-up of its management team. The company’s ten business units will be consolidated into six groups and Tony O’Neill has been appointed group director – technical. He has 35 years of mining experience and [...]
Pearson first-half profits fall 62pc July 26, 2013 BRITISH publisher Pearson today posted a 62 per cent fall in half-year operating profits to £20m, as it continues its restructuring programme to focus on emerging markets and digital services. The Financial Times-owner said adjusted earnings per share fell 33 per cent to 9.9p over the period, but sales rose seven per cent, with outlook [...]
BSkyB revenues rise ahead of BT battle July 26, 2013 BRITISH Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) today posted a seven per cent increase in full-year revenues to £7.2bn, as it gears up for a battle with an increasingly aggressive BT. The satellite broadcaster’s earnings rose eight per cent to £1.7bn and operating profit rose nine per cent to £1.3bn over the period. With mere weeks to go [...]
Three charts: French consumer confidence up, expected unemployment down, and inflation fears resurface July 26, 2013 (Source: INSEE) French consumer confidence has risen from 79 (revised from 78) to 82 in July, while economists forecast just a one point increase from that unrevised figure to 79 (release). In July, households were largely less numerous than in June to forecast an increase in unemployment. The corresponding balance lost 17 points and reached [...]
Before the open – 26/07 July 26, 2013 The FTSE is expected up slightly after a strong US earnings season yesterday. Grant Lewis, Daiwa Capital Markets: Yet more good data vindicating Abenomics overnight, with the latest CPI data coming in a little stronger than expected. Headline national CPI came in at 0.2%Y/Y in June, taking this index back into positive territory for the [...]
Sky announces £500m share buyback as dividend sees ninth consecutive rise July 26, 2013 British Sky Broadcasting has announced a £500m capital return to shareholders via share buy-back, as it releases results for the year ended 30 June (release). The firm saw profit before tax rise to £1,257m from £1,189m in the same period last year and has seen 150,000 customers sign up for its new Sky Go Extra [...]
Miner Rio Tinto announces £670m investment in water supply project July 26, 2013 Rio Tinto has announced a $1.30bn (£670m) investment in a new 2,500 litre per sector seawater desalination facility to supply water to Escondida mine in Chile, in which Rio Tinto has a 30 per cent interest (release). The project will provide a sustainable supply of water for the new OGP1 copper concentrator approved in February [...]
Fed goes after Wall St giant July 25, 2013 US FEDERAL prosecutors yesterday criminally indicted a top Wall Street hedge fund over allegations that years of spectacular performance were partly based on insider trading. SAC Capital Advisors was charged by a court in New York on four counts of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud following a seven-year investigation by regulators. No [...]
