Firms warn EU dark pool cap will hit savers November 21, 2013 CITY firms yesterday said plans for new EU rules on so-called “dark pool” trading platforms will lead to a worse deal for savers and urged regulators to focus on compiling more accurate data. The EU yesterday reached a preliminary deal to limit the volume of trading in a particular stock on dark platforms. The plans, [...]
Bottom Line: Calver’s turnaround begins to blossom November 21, 2013 IT COULD have gone so differently. Two years ago – around the time it launched a review of its struggling British business – Mothercare’s shares were trading at just 148p. Dreadful UK sales were dragging down decent growth in international markets, and the group had swung to a pre-tax loss of £81.4m in the first half of [...]
French Connection pins hopes on new collection as sales recover November 21, 2013 FRENCH Connection yesterday said its new autumn collection had been well-received by shoppers ahead of the key Christmas trading period as the fashion retailer posted a marked improvement in sales. Like-for-like sales for the third quarter to 20 November rose 2.1 per cent compared with a 4.5 per cent drop seen in the first six [...]
The 24 hour Tube is a triumph for London – but we can go further November 21, 2013 IN AN open letter to passengers, the mayor and Transport for London have committed themselves to a 24 hour Tube. It’s an exciting announcement, and will undoubtedly deliver a boost to London’s £8bn a year dining and entertainment industry. But there are wider implications for the capital. For decades, the Underground has run New Year’s [...]
City helps raise £426,000 at Opportunity do November 21, 2013 AFRICAN song and dance filled the Victoria and Albert Museum on Wednesday night as Opportunity International launched its Spirit of Opportunity Christmas appeal. The City descended on the museum for a fabulous evening, which included performances by African dance and drum group Frititi, dinner under the dome and a live auction in aid of the [...]
London Barometer November 21, 2013 DIRECTOR, DOUGLAS & GORDON The October market was far busier than this time last year. The publicity surrounding the market and Help to Buy has helped fuel a 20 per cent rise in viewings and it does feel a lot busier than it did in September. The inexorable decline in stock levels continues with 22 [...]
Barclays cuts Christmas hours for IT and account contractors November 20, 2013 HUNDREDS of contract workers at Barclays are to lose 10 days’ work before the end of the year, City A.M. understands, in a move which surprised staff. The contractors in Barclays Finance were told this week that they would have to take off 10 unpaid days by the end of the year. “The bank has [...]
JC Penney sees losses widen but expects strong Christmas sales November 20, 2013 STRUGGLING retailer JC Penney yesterday said it was encouraged by business so far in November and forecast higher comparable store sales in the current holiday quarter. For the fiscal third quarter, ended 2 November Penney reported a net loss of $489m (£302m), or $1.94 per share, compared with a net loss of $123m, or 56 [...]
Any other business – 21/11 November 20, 2013 Airplane meals are not particularly tasty, but it seems a bit excessive to pack a lunch for your flight. When the cleaners of a Jet Airways plane stumbled across two lunch boxes stashed in the toilets they assumed they were bombs. However, on closer inspection the boxes turned out to contain 12 gold bars each. [...]
Shoppers flock to the Guildhall November 19, 2013 KEEN Christmas shoppers filled the Guildhall yesterday to get their gift-buying in early at the British Red Cross Christmas Market. After Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra got a preview of the market at an exclusive champagne reception on Monday night, doors opened to the general public yesterday, with City folk flocking through the doors on [...]