FTSE breaks eight day streak on jitters over China and Euro July 6, 2011 THE FTSE 100’s eight-day winning streak came to a halt yesterday as worries over debt contagion in Europe and the demand outlook in China hit banking and commodity stocks. The top share index closed 21.11 points or 0.4 per cent lower at 6,002.92, having risen more than six per cent in the previous eight sessions [...]
Banks in retreat after Portugal downgrade July 6, 2011 The FTSE 100 lost ground on opening today after Moody’s cut Portugal’s credit rating to “junk” sending banking shares down. As the Eurozone crisis deepened investors abandoned risky equities as banks’ exposure to the crisis in the eurozone came under the spotlight. The euro fell sharply after the Moody’s four-notch downgrade to Ba2, with the [...]
FTSE extends gains as talk of takeovers boosts the market July 5, 2011 THE FTSE 100 rose for an eighth straight trading day yesterday, as earnings hopes lifted Tullow Oil and bid talk boosted Reckitt Benckiser. Tullow, up 3.8 per cent, said it expected to post record first-half revenues as it ramped up output in Ghana and also said it was a few weeks away from completing a [...]
Ikea growth is stunted by traffic rules July 4, 2011 IKEA said yesterday it was seeking to open three superstores in London but was being stymied by planning regulations. Chief executive Mikael Ohlsson (pictured) said he wanted to build his stores in the capital in run-down industrial areas. But he said traffic planning rules were standing in his way. The Swedish retailer already has four [...]
Travelodge to splash out £165m on new UK hotels July 4, 2011 HOTEL chain Travelodge today announced 22 new hotels, including five in London, as part of a £165m expansion across Britain. The company has also entered a partnership with clothing retailer Arcadia Group. This partnership will see the construction of a 96-room Travelodge hotel above the Topshop store in Princes Street, Edinburgh, with the establishment due [...]
London defies slow UK real estate market July 4, 2011 GROWING demand for office space and a booming London market are offering some hope for the UK’s ailing commercial property market, a new survey revealed today. And while the residential property sector continues to slump across the UK, house prices at the top end of the London market are expected to rise by nine per [...]
ENTREPRENEURS NEWS | IN BRIEF July 3, 2011 MIND CANDY AND LOVEFILM WIN AWARDS The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) awarded Mind Candy and LoveFilm business management awards at a black tie ceremony held in London last week. Mind Candy, the business behind children’s social networking sensation Moshi Monsters, picked up the Venture Capital Backed-Management Team of the Year award, [...]
Pro traders have a gloomy outlook for global economy July 3, 2011 LIVING, as we do, in uncertain economic times, it is helpful to take a peek at what the experts are doing. Simon Brown is the person to turn to. He is managing director of ProSpreads, a Gibraltar based spread betting provider catering only to professional traders. Because of its niche clientele, Brown is able to [...]
John Lewis sales jump 20pc July 1, 2011 John Lewis posted a 20 per cent jump in sales bucking the retail gloom on the high street. The retailer said that in the week to 25 June every one of its stores took more cash in its tills than a year before. Although analysts warned part of the impact was because of the success [...]
British Land snaps up City apartment block for £57m June 30, 2011 BRITISH LAND has agreed to buy Wardrobe Court, a residential investment property in the City for £57m. Wardrobe Court, which is being sold by the Warnford Group, a family company, will mark British Land’s first residential acquisition in the square mile. The FTSE 100 group, best known for its retail and office schemes, is expanding [...]