US consumer cheer dives June 30, 2009 CONFIDENCE among US consumers dived unexpectedly low in June, despite encouraging signs the worst of the housing slump may be over. The Conference Board’s sentiment index fell to 49.3 in June from 54.8 in May, suggesting the economy is still firmly in the grip of recession. The lack of consumer confidence reflects a weak labour [...]
INVESTMENT BANK PROFITS BOUNCE BACK June 30, 2009 THE WORLD’S best investment banks have clocked up bumper second quarter profits, reaping the benefits of a renewed focus on trading and capital markets underwriting, as well as the implosion of many rivals. While many institutions – such as RBS and Citigroup – are still finding conditions tough, a group of six is emerging as [...]
BISCHOFF TO CHAIR LLOYDS June 30, 2009 SIR Win Bischoff, the ex-Citigroup chairman and veteran banker, is set to be named the next chairman of Lloyds Banking Group, it emerged last night. UK Financial Investments has asked the 67-year-old, who stepped down from Citi in February, to take the reins at the bank and lead it through the integration of HBOS, the [...]
Vaughan will be sorely missed, says Trescothick June 29, 2009 FORMER opener Marcus Trescothick believes England will miss the experience of Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan when Australia visit again this summer. Vaughan, the former England captain, is expected to announce his retirement at an ECB-convened press conference this morning, thus ending any suggestion of a recall for the forthcoming Ashes series. Since stepping down as [...]
Take up ballet and get tutus, SA coach taunts ‘soft’ Lions June 29, 2009 SOUTH AFRICA head coach Peter de Villiers yesterday further inflamed the eye-gouging row with the British and Irish Lions, accusing them of being soft and suggesting they swap rugby for ballet. De Villiers also reiterated his defence of Schalk Burger after the flanker escaped with an eight-week ban for clawing at Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald’s [...]
Safina tames Mauresmo after scare June 29, 2009 WORLD No1 Dinara Safina became the first player ever to win under the Centre Court roof after surviving an epic battle with 2006 champion Amelie Mauresmo. The top seed was a set down but 4-1 up in the second when the first rain of the Wimbledon week forced play to be suspended for 30 minutes. [...]
Brave Murray forced to dig deep to win late-night epic June 29, 2009 ANDY MURRAY hailed his 15,000-strong army of fans after battling his way through a record-breaking five-set thriller with Stanislas Wawrinka. Playing under the new Centre Court roof for the first time, the British No1 recovered from a disastrous opening set to clinch an epic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory in a match which finished [...]
England women rout Australia June 29, 2009 CRICKET: England’s women thrashed Australia by nine wickets in the opening one-day international in Chelmsford. Spinner Holly Colvin took 3-27 and Katherine Brunt 2-22 as England skittled out the tourists for a paltry 133. Openers Sarah Taylor (68) and Caroline Atkins (48no) got the chase off to a great start, and victory was clinched after [...]
Aussie back Carraro joins Bath June 29, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Bath have signed versatile Australian back Matt Carraro from New South Wales Waratahs. The 24-year-old, who can play at centre or on the wing, has signed a two-year contract at the Premiership club. Head coach Steve Meehan: “He has a reputation as a hard worker and good bloke off the field and these [...]
Alonso open to Real Madrid move June 29, 2009 FOOTBALL: Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has welcomed reports of interest from Real Madrid. Real have been linked with a £25m move for the Spain international, although Liverpool are reluctant to sell. Alonso said: “I have not closed any door and we will just have to wait and see what happens. I do not think a [...]
