Best of the Brokers October 24, 2012 AGGREKO RBC Capital Markets has cut its recommendation on the temporary power supplier to “outperform” from “top pick”, moving its target price to 2,500p from 2,700p, citing “a lack of short-term catalysts.” WPP UBS has slashed its recommendation on the media and advertising giant to “neutral” from “buy”, moving the target price to 875p from [...]
Weak results sour views of US economy October 24, 2012 US stocks ended lower for a second day yesterday as investors soured on another round of underwhelming corporate results and the Federal Reserve said it would stick to its stimulus plan until the job market improves. The S&P 500 has lost 3.6 per cent over the past five sessions, hurt by weak earnings outlooks and [...]
FTSE edges higher as strong results from Reckitt boost investors’ mood October 24, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index edged higher yesterday, helped by consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser’s robust update, although traders said concerns over earnings would limit further moves higher. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed up 0.1 per cent, or 6.87 points higher, at 5,804.78 points, recovering slightly from a 1.4 per cent fall on Tuesday. Heavyweight [...]
The public order act needs reform: It is an insult to British free speech October 24, 2012 DISGRACEFULLY inadequate”. “Jobless scroungers”. This is just a small sample of the insults thrown around yesterday morning. And that was just in the national newspapers. A quick venture onto Twitter would reveal thousands more, many unprintable on these pages. We might disagree or feel offended. But expressing insults (and being on the receiving end of [...]
Obama’s manifesto may fail to convince voters to give him another chance October 24, 2012 AS BARACK Obama and Mitt Romney squared off in their third and final debate, both candidates had to wrestle for ratings with the NFL’s Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions – coincidentally the hometown teams of both candidates. Like his Bears, the President eked out a victory after a solid first half. But this has still failed [...]
Pay-as-you-live: The business of sharing in the UK October 24, 2012 WHY own a bike, car or even a dress, when you can hire it and be released from the cost of outright ownership? This is the view of a new generation of UK consumers, who are seizing on the chance to access a growing array of goods and services as and when they need them. [...]
Will the FSA’s new mortgage lending rules help to improve the UK’s housing market? October 24, 2012 YES Tony Ward At last, we can stop speculating about what may come out of the mortgage market review, and get on with the business of mortgage lending. Much has been carried over from previous consultation papers and the FSA has gone out of its way to incorporate industry feedback. There is an argument that [...]
Rapid responses October 24, 2012 Free the Beeb Over the last 30 years, successive governments have shown determination to dismantle many of Britain’s institutions, from our universities to selective schools and examination standards. This has been done under the auspices of greater access for the general public, rather than jealousy economics preached so vehemently by liberal politicians. So why has [...]
Smart offices need stylish furnishings October 24, 2012 WHEN you have prestigious offices, you need an aesthetic to match. International law firm McDermott Will & Emery, which has offices in the stylish Heron Tower – the tallest tower in London at one point – were looking for an exceptional fit-out when they moved into the building last year. It was the first occupier [...]
Seven easy steps to smoothly renegotiate your pay deal October 24, 2012 THE big issue that few of us feel comfortable discussing with our employers is pay. Yet research has repeatedly shown that unhappiness with what we earn is a significant cause of job dissatisfaction. How do you work out what you’re worth and then make sure your company pays you accordingly? Doing some research, thinking tactically, [...]
