Did Apple just release the iPhone 4SS? September 12, 2012 As if Tim Cook didn’t have enough on his plate. Not only is he following in the footsteps of one of the most revered chief executives of all time, one who is now safely ensconced in the ground where he can never tarnish his image as the greatest technological innovator of his generation; not only [...]
Smartphones: the rivals September 12, 2012 Samsung Galaxy SIII The Galaxy SIII may be embroiled in Samsung’s patent dispute with Apple, but what is not in question is the quality of the handset. With a gigantic 4.8 inch screen, a 1.4GHz quadcore processor and an upcoming update to the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, this is the biggest challenger [...]
Banks must change sales incentives, says incoming Barclays chairman September 12, 2012 Banks must curb their focus on incentives and open themselves up to more scrutiny, the incoming Barclays chairman said this morning. Speaking to MPs this morning as a witness in an inquiry into banking standards, sir David Walker said banks should be forced to disclose how many staff earn a salary of more than £1m [...]
UK jobless numbers fall September 12, 2012 UK unemployment fell by 7,000 to 2.59m in the three months to July, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics. The rate of unemployment fell by 0.1 per cent to 8.1 per cent. In addition, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell by 15,000 in August, the largest fall since June [...]
FTSE 100 jumps on German court ruling September 12, 2012 The leading share index was up in early trading, as investors reacted positively to news that German judges ruled in favour of the Eurozone’s rescue fund. Meanwhile, holding company Chesnara led the fallers on the FTSE All-Share, down 6.87 per cent. Embattled platinum miner Lonmin shed 5.56 per cent, as strikes continued at its Marikana [...]
Germany gets green light for bailout fund September 12, 2012 Germany’s Constitutional Court this morning ruled in favour of the Eurozone’s rescue plans. Ruling that an injunction against the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and fiscal compact was largely unfounded, the judges said that Germany cannot increase its financial exposure beyond €190bn to the bailout fund without parliament’s approval first. It also said ESM decisions must [...]
Housebuilder Barratt posts strong bounce in profit September 12, 2012 Housebuilder Barratt Developments posted a strong bounce in profits this morning, up 159 per cent over the year to 30 June. Investment in higher margin land and an increase in volumes helped to flatter profits over the period. Group revenues jumped 14.1 per cent to £2.3bn, with completions of 12,637 units over the year. Average [...]
Kingfisher profit hit by monsoon summer September 12, 2012 DIY group Kingfisher today reported a plunge in pre-tax profits for the six months to 28 July, hurt by record wet weather in the UK. Profit plummeted 15.5 per cent to £371m, down from £439m over the same period last year as seasonal product sales were down seven per cent, resulting in a higher number [...]
Australia’s AAA rating safe for now, says Moody’s September 12, 2012 Credit rating agency Moody’s said today it saw no reason to downgrade Australia’s prized AAA rating, despite tumbling commodity prices that have led to miners scrapping jobs in the country. Iron ore and coal prices have fallen over the past few weeks, prompting fears that Australia’s mining boom may be coming to an end. The [...]
Zuckerberg comments send Facebook shares up September 12, 2012 Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg sent Facebook shares up three per cent yesterday, as his first major public appearance soothed investors. Zuckerberg, speaking at a TechCrunch conference in San Francisco, hinted at new growth areas such as mobile and search, although he quashed rumours Facebook was about to launch a smartphone. The 28-year-old founder, who [...]
