What will Stelios say? EasyHotel first half profits fall on costs – but revenues climb above-expectations May 24, 2016 EasyHotel is enjoying the easy life: revenues were above expectations for the first half of the year – although profits more than halved on costs. The figures Total sales were up 10.4 per cent to £9.66m for the six months ended 31 March, while total revenues climbed 11.6 per cent to £2.59m, slightly ahead of the board's [...]
Investec banks on banking for profit boost May 19, 2016 Investec today reported that its profits for the year had inched up, thanks in part to a strong performance in its banking and wealth and investment divisions. Operating profits before tax for the specialist financial services company's year to March edged up to £567.4m, up 0.9 per cent compared with £562.5m the year before. Operating profit in [...]
Dreaming of Derby success: Bill Esdaile visits Newmarket ahead of this year’s Classic May 17, 2016 With this year’s Investec Derby just over two weeks away, Newmarket is a hive of activity as the world’s most prestigious flat race draws ever closer. While trainers finalise their preparations for Epsom, breeders in the same equine parish are plotting the creation of future contenders. Trainer John Gosden, who saddled last year’s winner Golden [...]
Investment banking revenues plunged to financial crisis levels in 2015 – and a greater drop is expected this year May 17, 2016 Global investment banking revenues dropped to their lowest levels since the financial crisis last year. And they are expected to plummet even further this year, according to a new report. Analysis in the Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Capital Markets 2016 report predicts 2016 investment banking revenue to total $212bn (£147bn), down seven per cent from [...]
Racing betting: Take an Epsom punt on Port Douglas and Cloth Of Stars May 11, 2016 With the last of the major Investec Derby trials run at York on Thursday afternoon, I thought it an opportune moment to look at the ante-post market for next month’s Classic. Midterm currently heads the betting at 10/3 with Betway and that price is likely to contract further should he be successful in today’s Dante [...]
Racing betting: Midterm can be Stoute’s seventh Dante winner May 11, 2016 Thursday’s Dante Stakes (3.15pm) at York has long been recognised as one of the most important trials for next month’s Investec Derby. Golden Horn became the fourth colt since the millennium to go on to Epsom glory having landed this historic Group Two prize 12 months ago. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has saddled an impressive [...]
Racing betting: So Mi Dar to call the tune in the Musidora May 10, 2016 Trainer John Gosden has saddled three of the last five winners of the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (3.45pm) and he will be hoping to improve on that already impressive record on Wednesday afternoon. The Newmarket handler sends the unbeaten filly SO MI DAR to York on the back of a gutsy win against the colts in [...]
Racing betting: Aidan O’Brien’s US Army Ranger will gun down his Vase rivals May 4, 2016 Trainer Aidan O’Brien has a phenomenal record in the MBNA Chester Vase (Thursday 3.10pm), having won six of the last nine renewals of the Group Three contest run over 12 furlongs. He’s landed the last three and targets this race with some of his best, like Ruler Of The World who followed up at Epsom in [...]
Soon-to-be retirees are longing to take a gap year May 4, 2016 Those reaching pension age are more similar to university students than you'd think, as many are hankering for a gap year, research out today has found. According to the study by Investec Wealth & Investment, around a third (31 per cent) of UK professionals are considering taking a sabbatical of at least six months before they finally retire. More [...]
Alice to leave punters in Wonderland after 1000 Guineas April 28, 2016 Aidan O’Brien has the Midas touch when it comes to the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, but his grip around the fillies’ Classic 24 hours later has certainly been less vice-like. The master of Ballydoyle has only won the 1000 Guineas (3.40pm) twice, with Virginia Waters in 2005 and Homecoming Queen in 2012. Both of those were [...]