Triple dose of bad news sends FTSE downards March 10, 2011 A downgrade for Spain’s credit rating, violence in Libya and weak data from China and the US heaped pressure on Britain’s top share index yesterday, with traders speculating that there could be more woe to come. “It’s an unholy triumvirate of bad news,” Chris Purdy, trader at Spreadex, said. Purdy pointed to the three-month low [...]
PARTY HOPPING AS TCHENGUIZ TWO SAY THE CANNES SHOW MUST GO ON March 10, 2011 THE Capitalist was amused to see that the statement made on behalf of the Tchenguiz brothers following their release without charge on Wednesday night made it clear the pair are “free to travel”. Why so critical that the property tycoons, who were arrested by the Serious Fraud Office and held for 12 hours in connection [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING March 9, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES BARCLAYS WINS SUIT OVER SALE RISK LEVEL Barclays has won a legal case brought against it by a small San Marino bank which alleged the UK bank sold it complex debt products which were “much riskier” than the triple A credit rating they had been given. Cassa di Risparmio della Repubblica di San [...]
Why filling in the census improves your life March 9, 2011 SO, how old are you? Have you ever been married? Who do you live with? Do you have a mortgage? How many bedrooms do you have? What religion are you? Yes, it might feel like Big Brother plopped on our doormats this week. The 2011 census asks questions that probably many of us would find [...]
Mike Ashley in clear after Sports Direct fraud probe March 9, 2011 SPORTS Direct yesterday said none of its employees were now under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office as it also gave details of a £220m refinancing package. In March 2010 the Competition Commission formally cleared Sports Direct’s acquisition of 31 stores from struggling rival JJB Sports and in October 2010 the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) [...]
French public deficit on the up March 9, 2011 France’s annual government deficit widened to €13.4bn (£11.5bn) in January, up from a deficit of €9.2bn at the same time last year, official data showed yesterday. However, the deficit for 2011 is still expected to fall to 5.9 per cent of GDP, down from 7.5 per cent of GDP in 2010, according to Laurence Boone [...]
THE PARTY’S OVER FOR TCHENGUIZ BROTHERS March 9, 2011 THEY came, they saw, they conquered – and then the Tchenguiz brothers were arrested by the Serious Fraud Office yesterday morning in connection with the collapse of the Kaupthing Icelandic bank. The dramatic raid at the property developers’ Mayfair HQ has been the talk of the MIPIM property fair at Cannes, where the brothers were [...]
The glass is half full for ISA investors in stocks and shares March 9, 2011 WITH the end of tax year deadline swiftly approaching, investors should make sure that they take advantage of the generous £10,200 allowance for individual savings accounts (ISA). This can either be used in its entirety for stocks and shares or up to £5,100 can be put into a cash ISA with the remainder in stocks [...]
Sports Direct in clear after fraud probe March 9, 2011 Sports Direct, Britain’s biggest sporting goods retailer, said none of its employees were under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office as it detailed a £220m refinancing. “We can confirm that no individuals connected to Sports Direct International are under investigation,” the firm, controlled by Newcastle United soccer club owner Mike Ashley, said on Wednesday. In [...]
BarCap set to gain broking mandate at 3i March 8, 2011 BARCLAYS Bank’s fast growing equities business BarCap was last night said to be close to winning an important new broking appointment at the international private equity group 3i. 3i has been conducting a regular review of its brokers, which are currently Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JP?Morgan. The group, whose chief executive is Michael [...]