I recreated all my favourite TV tropes, from crawling through pipes to being two kids in a trenchcoat
Magritte & frites in Brussels June 14, 2009 IF it is known for anything, Brussels is probably most famous for its beer and frites. Either that, or the spectacular Grande Place, an ornate masterpiece designed to awe visiting merchants. Or the Manneken Pis, the statue of the urinating boy that stands close to the Grand Place. Or the Atomium, the strange construction in [...]
THE TIPSTER June 14, 2009 AGGRESSIVE DISCOUNTING TO LIFT TESCOTHERE were rumours flying around the markets last week of a profit warning by Carrefour – the world’s second largest supermarket – but this side of the Channel, things in the grocery market are looking a lot rosier. Morrisons has been doing well, as has Sainsbury’s. But size does seem to [...]
EUROPE BANKS WEAKER THAN WAS THOUGHT June 14, 2009 JANE FOLEYRESEARCH DIRECTOR, FOREX.COMTHE American banking sector once again hogged the headlines last week, when 10 of the 19 banks that borrowed money from the US government under the Tarp plan were authorised to pay back a combined $68bn. The US government was quick to make the point that it (meaning the taxpayer and the [...]
Picking profitable sectors is a new game, post-crunch June 14, 2009 BRITAIN is on the verge of economic recovery we heard last week, and investors’ confidence was boosted by improving data. The stock markets have been taking their cue from economics over recent weeks and further signs confirming a recovery could help lift the FTSE 100 above the current 4,500 resistance level that has proved somewhat [...]
A positive start to the week expected June 14, 2009 THE FTSE ended last week pretty much where it started, and the rut that is the 4,400 to 4,500 range is becoming somewhat entrenched. This morning’s call is for a mildly positive start, with GFT quoting the FTSE 100 to open up 14 points at 4,456, with the momentum coming from US markets where a [...]
Consumer-related stocks to shed some light on spending June 14, 2009 RETAILERS will be very much in the spotlight again this week, with trading updates expected from the great and good of the supermarket world and retail sales data expected to shed more light on the high street picture. Tesco will get the ball rolling tomorrow when it releases its first quarter sales data, but is [...]
Ashley’s new bargain basement June 14, 2009 Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has set up a £1 shop in the former Burberry headquarters in London’s West End, despite budget retailer TK Maxx being blocked from opening nearby. The former up-market building is now plastered with “sports clearance” signs. It is believed Ashley’s Sports Direct chain is using the store to clear old [...]
Phones4U tycoon looks at LDV June 14, 2009 Phones4U billionaire John Caudwell is believed to be considering whether to make a bid for stricken van maker LDV which fell into administration last week. It would the tycoon’s first step back into business after he sold his telecoms empire – which included Phones 4u and 20:20 Logistics – for £1.46bn three years ago. Caudwell [...]
Pernod says cheers to Tia Maria June 14, 2009 Tia Maria, the coffee liqueur brand, has been formally put up for sale by owner Pernod Ricard with a price-tag of €200m (£176m). The sell-off is part of the group’s attempt to raise cash after last year’s £5.6bn takeover of Vin&Spirit, the manufacturer of Absolut Vodka. The move follows last month’s disposal of the bourbon [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS June 14, 2009 Barnett WaddinghamThe actuaries and consultants firm has appointed four new partners: Alison Hamilton, Sarah Brown, Paul Houghton and Matt Tickle. Hamilton, pictured, joined the firm in 2006 and specialises in public sector actuarial and consulting. Brown and Houghton are scheme actuaries, providing actuarial and consulting advice to employers and trustees of corporate pension schemes, while [...]
