Italian consumer confidence up ahead of Christmas November 26, 2013 Consumers are a little more optimistic in Italy this November. Istat saw consumer confidence climb from 97.3 to 98.3 this month – despite analysts forecasting that there would be no change. Unemployment expectations rose from 71 to 74.
HS2 bill begins its long route to the starting line November 25, 2013 THE GOVERNMENT kicked off years of parliamentary jostling over the High Speed 2 project yesterday by publishing the law needed to start building work. The hybrid bill was hailed as a major step forward by supporters and a vanity project by campaigners attempting to block the scheme. The bill sets out street by street the [...]
Average Christmas gadget spend set to rise November 25, 2013 PARENTS this Christmas are expected to spend £243 on electronic gifts for their kids on average, according to a report from price comparison website uSwitch. “For many this will mean that the pressure is on to juggle Christmas wish lists with household budgets,” said uSwitch.com telecoms expert Ernest Doku.
Analyst Views: What was your reaction to Cranswick’s half year trading performance? November 25, 2013 CLIVE BLACK SHORE CAPITAL Cranswick remains a company that we believe is best in class in British food manufacturing…With improved industry structures we believe that the future for Cranswick is bright…and we therefore continue to argue that the stock has a firm justification for a position in any high quality mid-cap fund. DAMIAN MCNEELA PANMURE [...]
Mourinho bids to ease packed winter period November 25, 2013 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho admits he has missed English football’s traditionally packed winter schedule, but hopes to reduce the strain on his team with victory against FC Basel tonight to seal qualification to the Champions League knockout stages and top spot in Group E. A draw at St Jakob-Park would be enough for Mourinho’s side [...]
Humbug for high streets as Christmas goes online November 25, 2013 THE CHRISTMAS retail market will be driven by booming digital sales again this year, with the value of goods sold in physical stores falling in real terms, according to a new forecast. Internet sales are expected to rise to £5bn, up 19 per cent on last year, according to a forecast from Deloitte. But excluding [...]
John Lewis hit by week delay of Black Friday November 24, 2013 CHRISTMAS sales at John Lewis slowed last week, as tough comparatives from a year ago prevented a repeat of last week’s stellar growth. The department store group reported sales of £111.9m in the week to 23 November, up 2.1 per cent on the same week last year, as the cold weather drove sales of coats [...]
Bottom Line: An ambitious play for expansion not a call to international rescue November 24, 2013 THE possibility of a tie-up between FTSE 100 stalwart Babcock and helicopter transport specialist Avincis is continuing proof of the scale of Babcock’s ambition. The engineering support services group has been looking to expand internationally in recent years and this looks a potentially smart step in that growth process, opening up new options in European [...]
German business confidence at 18-month high November 22, 2013 German business confidence is at its highest point for 18-months, according to the Munich-based thinktank, Ifo. The business climate index climbed from 107.4 in October to 109.3 in November – better than had been expected, according to a poll conducted by Reuters. (Capital Economics) The "expectations" part of the survey reached 106.3, beating expectations and [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 22 November 2013 November 21, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Independence could lose sterling Scotland will be forced to quit the sterling currency union if it votes for independence next year, a cabinet minister has said, in the starkest warning yet for Scottish voters to remain in the UK. Speaking to the Financial Times days before the Scottish government releases its vision for [...]