Japan hopes to stimulate itself back to prosperity January 21, 2013 SINCE taking office in December, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been determined to throw everything he can at his economy to try to get it moving again. As well as a massive ¥10.3 trillion (£72bn) government stimulus package, the newly-installed Japanese government has fixed the strong yen in its sights, and has made [...]
What the other papers say this morning January 20, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES AllianzGI to launch UK building fund Allianz Global Investors is to launch a pioneering infrastructure debt fund in the UK – the first of its kind – to help build schools, hospitals and roads in a landmark initiative designed to create jobs and stimulate the faltering economy. Tax crackdown to target middle class [...]
The protectionist beast is back in a subtly fresh form January 20, 2013 IT’S a classic: during every recession, protectionism resurfaces. After four years of economic turmoil, unemployment is critical in the US (7.7 per cent) and Europe (11.7 per cent). Obviously, governments want to protect national companies and jobs, especially if they want to be re-elected. But if protectionism is back, it’s also more subtle. Gone are [...]
Volvo details dramatic cost cuts in bid to be profitable by 2014 January 17, 2013 SWEDISH car maker Volvo, owned by Chinese group Geely, detailed dramatic cost cuts yesterday as part of its bid to become profitable again within the next two years. Chief executive Hakan Samuelsson, said the firm would need to slash costs by over 1bn Swedish kronor (£95.6m) to enable it to break even. Earlier this month, [...]
What the other papers say this morning January 16, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Apple rolls out China credit facility Apple is to allow Chinese consumers to buy its gadgets on credit – a move that could help boost sales in the world’s largest smartphone market by unit shipments, where it has lost share to cheaper brands. HP arms become focus of M&A talk Reports that Dell [...]
Burberry bounces back after customers splash out on gifts January 15, 2013 SHARES in Burberry yesterday bounced back from their September crash after the luxury goods maker said a pick-up in the Chinese market helped boost third quarter sales. The fashion brand sent shock waves through the luxury sector last year by warning of a global slowdown in spending – particularly in China. But yesterday finance director [...]
Burberry’s China caution was right – but the recovery may be short-lived January 15, 2013 Fashion is cyclical. Children of the 1990s can look back in horror at the realisation that the flares they insisted on wearing were first sported by their parents in the 70s, while 1980s babies didn’t fare much better with re-hashed 50s stilettos and big hair. Luckily for Burberry, stock market trends come around a lot [...]
What the other papers say this morning January 14, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Junk-bond prices point to bulls return The junk-bond market is sending a bullish signal for the global economy in 2013, with investors in US high-yield securities earning higher returns so far this year than those who have bought investment-grade debt. High-yield bonds are an acute barometer of risk appetite and rises in their [...]
Toyota retakes crown from GM as Detroit motor show kicks off January 14, 2013 GENERAL Motors reported a 2.9 per cent rise in global sales yesterday as the Detroit motor show opened its doors. GM, which launched a new version of its Chevy Corvette sports car at the industry show, said global sales totalled more than 9.28m vehicles, up from just over 9m in 2011. But it was not [...]
CWC enters new age with $750m Macau sell-off January 13, 2013 THE BOSS of Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) hailed a “landmark day” for his company yesterday as the telecoms firm said it had sold its last asset in Asia. CWC said it had reached a deal with the Chinese state-owned operator Citic to sell its 51 per cent stake in CTM, its business in Macau, [...]