More time for takeover talks October 17, 2011 THE Takeover Panel made the first extensions to its new “put up or shut up” deadline imposed on buyers of UK companies yesterday, granting several potential bidders more time to put their proposals together. Entertainment rights company Coolabi, the home of children’s TV favourite cat Bagpuss, is one of four firms that have been granted [...]
Rail fares wipe benefit of commuting October 2, 2011 The projected eight per cent rise in rail fares next year looks set to tip the balance of affordability against young professional families and first time city buyers seeking to move out of London. Research from home finders County Homesearch found the combined cost of travel season tickets and mortgage repayments for homeowners in commuter [...]
Plotting the growth of the market October 2, 2011 WHEN spread betting started in 1974, it was set up to get around the strict price controls that were in place in the UK – at the time it was illegal for retail investors to speculate on gold. Unemployed stockbroker Stuart Wheeler hit upon the idea of creating an index giving investors a way of [...]
Loans to businesses increase September 29, 2011 LENDING to non-financial companies increased over August, though banks reduced their holdings of corporate securities by a greater amount, the Bank of England announced yesterday. Businesses borrowed £800m more in August than in July. However, overall lending from banks fell by £2.7bn as banks reduced their holdings of corporate securities. The Bank of England’s figures [...]
US businesses boost spending September 28, 2011 US businesses shrugged off an uncertain economic environment and stepped up orders for capital goods in August, a sign the economy was not falling back into recession. The Commerce Department has said non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending, increased 1.1 per cent after falling 0.2 per cent in [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 27, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES ANADARKO SOUNDS OUT BRAZILIAN BUYERS Anadarko Petroleum has asked advisers to sound out potential buyers for a collection of its Brazilian oil assets in a deal that could be worth up to $5bn, in the latest attempt by oil and gas explorers in the region to attract investment. The US independent oil and [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING September 25, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES US TAX AUTHORITIES TARGET BANK DEALS US tax authorities are targeting cross-border finance deals worth billions of dollars between leading US and UK banks as they step up efforts to clamp down on abusive tax avoidance, a joint investigation by the Financial Times and ProPublica has found. Four US banks – BB&T, Bank [...]
Monaco’s calling September 22, 2011 TIMES are tough for property in some parts of the world. Not, however, in Monaco, where investors seeking classic, mature markets feel comfortable. The fact that it’s still one of the most glamorous locations on earth – with some of the world’s best restaurants and casinos (and let’s not forget the marina) – doesn’t hurt, [...]
Rise in Taylor Wimpey sales lifts margins September 19, 2011 HOUSEBUILDER Taylor Wimpey said yesterday that sales rates in recent weeks have been encouraging, as the industry has benefited from a seasonal surge in home buying activity. The FTSE 250-listed firm added it is on track to deliver on margin targets this year. The country’s second largest builder by market value said net sales rates [...]
Taylor Wimpey says housebuilding bouncing back September 19, 2011 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said sales rates in recent weeks have been encouraging, as the industry has benefited from a seasonal surge in home buying activity, and added it is on track to deliver on margin targets. The country’s second largest builder by market value said net sales rates so far in the second half are [...]