Halfords mulls Hobbycraft deal February 8, 2010 BIKE retailer Halfords is mulling making acquisitions within the retail sector as part of ambitious expansion plans, it emerged yesterday. Halfords, which saw like-for-like sales jump 15 per cent over the Christmas period, is understood to be looking at crafts chain Hobbycraft, according to Sky News. Hobbycraft is undergoing a thorough strategic review by accountancy [...]
Ferguson and Neville delight at Ferdinand England honour February 8, 2010 MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has welcomed the decision to appoint Rio Ferdinand England captain. United defender Ferdinand has been handed the armband after England manager Fabio Capello stripped John Terry of the honour. Ferdinand is not first-choice skipper at Old Trafford – a role occupied by Gary Neville – but has filled in [...]
Temasek sets 10-year bond at 3pc a year February 8, 2010 Singapore state investor Temasek has priced its 1bn Singapore dollar (£450m) 10-year bond at 40 basis points above the Singapore dollar swap offer rate. It translates to 3.27 per cent a year. The price reflects strong consumer demand for triple-A-rated issues. Temasek said in a statement that proceeds from the bond issue will be used [...]
Strauss is disrespecting Test game, fumes Warne February 8, 2010 AUSTRALIA legend Shane Warne has criticised England and Andrew Strauss for allowing the captain to sit out the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. Skipper-in-waiting Alastair Cook will lead the side in two Test matches next month while Strauss recovers from a hectic first year as skipper. Warne insists he is incredulous at England chiefs for devaluing [...]
Tchenguiz’s former tapas chain part of £100m sale February 8, 2010 THE group behind La Tasca and the Ha Ha Bar and Grill chain could raise £100m when it is put up for sale. The Bay Restaurant Group – which was once part of property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz’s empire – is understood to be being eyed by private equity-backed investors. Interest is set to increase after [...]
Mancini: This month will define season February 8, 2010 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has warned his team to regroup for a run of games that could define their season. City slipped to a shock defeat to Hull on Saturday but are looking to bounce back against Bolton tonight and reignite their charge for a Champions League place. “We played very hard and we [...]
Barclays Wealth snaps up three UBS bankers February 8, 2010 Barclays Wealth, the private banking arm of Barclays, has hired another three bankers from UBS, adding to the 10 who were recruited in August last year. Vikram Malhotra, who led a team of UBS bankers in Singapore and Hong Kong serving millionaires of Indian origin, joined Barclays Wealth yesterday as head of South Asia where [...]
World Cup hope Cahill out with a blood clot February 8, 2010 BOLTON defender Gary Cahill’s World Cup hopes are in tatters after being ruled out for a “number of months” with a blood clot in his arm. The 24-year-old, who was being tipped as a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa, was taken ill on Friday and missed Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham. [...]
Investors puzzled by shock exit of SAP boss February 8, 2010 GERMAN software group SAP has ditched its chief executive of just seven months, surprising a market he failed to win over during his tenure and leaving investors wondering where the world’s top business software firm heads next. SAP announced Leo Apotheker’s abrupt departure, replacing him with immediate effect with a new management team expected to [...]
Portuguese bank buys half of broker Execution Noble February 8, 2010 CITY stockbroker Execution Noble yesterday bounded ahead with its aggressive expansion plans after Banco Espirito Santo (BES), one of Portugal’s largest banks, snapped up a majority stake in the business. BES said it had paid around £50m for the 50.1 per cent stake in Execution, which bought up its smaller rival Noble just seven weeks [...]
