(Relatively) cheap and cheerful July 12, 2011 There was a time when the main reason for buying a Kia Picanto would have been its bargain price tag and jaw-dropping seven-year warranty – it certainly wasn’t great to drive or particularly good looking either. In fact it looked about as cheap as it’s price tag suggested. But this latest incarnation of the Picanto [...]
CAR TALK July 12, 2011 RANGE ROVER’S POWERFUL GREENER CAR Land Rover’s latest 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel Range Rover Sport has just been introduced with more power, reduced CO2 and improved fuel economy thanks, in part, to a new efficient 8-speed automatic gearbox. Engine power is increased from 245hp to 256hp whilst CO2 emissions are down from 243g/km to 230g/km. Combined [...]
Westwood and Garcia look the best bets to taste success at St. George’s July 12, 2011 THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TOMORROW – From 9am, BBC Two IF you’re thinking of heading to the Kent countryside for a relaxing break this weekend, forget it. You’ll struggle to find a room anywhere in Garden of England as from Thursday, the small port town of Sandwich — population 6,800 — plays host to the 140th [...]
News Corp ups share buy back to $5bn July 12, 2011 News Corp plans to buy back $5bn (£3bn) in stock over the next 12 months as the media company tries to contain the telephone hacking scandal which has sent its share price down about 14 per cent overall. Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate responded to investor pressure to support the stock. Shares rose more than two [...]
Eurozone uncertainty drags down markets July 12, 2011 The FTSE 100 dived on opening today after a meeting tabled to thrash out issues related to the Eurozone debt crisis failed to bear fruit. London’s drop mirrored steep falls on Wall Street and in Asia as investors remained unconvinced by the 16-country bloc’s strategy for steering through the crisis. Eurozone leaders gathered with the [...]
Inflation rate unexpectedly falls July 12, 2011 The inflation rate fell unexpectedly in June, with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure down to 4.2 per cent from 4.5 per cent. The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation – which includes mortgage interest payments – also fell, from 5.2 per cent to five per cent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures [...]
Greencore buys Uniq for £113m July 12, 2011 Greencore has agreed the £113m takeover of food company Uniq. The Irish food company said said it would pay Uniq shareholders 96p a share. Uniq makes chilled pre-prepared meals as well as sandwiches for the likes of M&S. Dublin-based Greencore earlier this failed in its bid to merge with Northern Foods. It will pay for [...]
Thomas Cook shares dive after profit warning July 12, 2011 Thomas Cook’s has issued a profit warning for its third quarter as the unrest in the Middle East and belt tightening in the UK too its toll. Its shares dived by 28 per cent after the announcement. The travel operator said is French business had been hit by unrest in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. Operating [...]
House prices slip in June July 12, 2011 House prices fell more than expected last month, as worries about the economic outlook deterred homeowners from putting their properties up for sale and buyers remained hesitant, a survey showed Tuesday. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ seasonally adjusted house price balance inched up to -27 in June from -28 in May, below forecasts for [...]
News Corp puts Sky bid on hold July 11, 2011 ■ Competition Commission probe to last up to a year ■ Gordon Brown says sick son was target of News Int NEWS CORP yesterday made the shock decision to effectively put its bid for BSkyB on ice for up to a year. Rupert Murdoch’s firm withdrew concessions made to the media watchdog over the takeover, triggering [...]
