CITY VIEWS: WHEN DO YOU THINK THE ECONOMY WILL COME OUT OF RECESSION? November 25, 2009 SIMON DUKE LLOYD’S OF LONDON“I expect that by the end of next year we will see signs that the recession has ended, particularly because we’ve already hit bottom. It will take time for new jobs to surface and previous jobs to return, but I think the recovery process is underway.” MARK STOOP BEAZLEY“I think the [...]
THE TIPSTER CHRISTMAS WILL BE KEY FOR TED BAKER November 22, 2009 DESIGNER retail brand Ted Baker indicated that business has been good in recent interims as consumers reacted positively to its current collections. It has seen an 18 per cent drop in profits this year, but sales were up 19.8 per cent from this time last year. Ray Kelvin, its CEO, expects it to weather the [...]
Tips for bagging yourself a new-build bargain in a difficult market November 19, 2009 POLLY COLDWELL, DEPUTY EDITOR OF FIRST TIME BUYER MAGAZINE:1) Ensure the property is big enough for your belongings. Check that there is somewhere to put your hoover, etc. Garages have shrunk as well: measure it to make sure your car fits. 2) New builds are rated for their energy, water and waste under the Code [...]
NEW BOSS NORMAN PREPARES TO BRING THE ROMANCE BACK TO ITV November 18, 2009 THE market has roundly welcomed ex-Asda boss and former Tory MP Archie Norman’s appointment to the chairman’s seat at ITV, but has anyone considered the most pressing question it throws up for the broadcaster? Allow me to explain. Back in Norman’s retail days, perhaps the most exciting new initiative at Asda was the introduction of [...]
Why bonds are a boon for investors November 18, 2009 FOLLOWING his appointment as the CEO of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) this summer, Xavier Rolet announced plans to open a retail bond market here in the UK. He said: “There is a clear need, particularly in the SME sector, for a lot of companies to be able to tap the bond market, particularly for [...]
Now there is a new way for traders to play forex markets November 18, 2009 WITH more than $3 trillion traded in the volatile foreign exchange markets every day, private investors have increasingly been angling for a slice of the action. And last week, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provider ETF Securities launched a new way for individuals to gain exposure to the world’s most liquid market. The ETF-provider has launched Europe’s [...]
M&S and ITV brighten up dull day of trading for FTSE November 18, 2009 THE UK’s main market ticked down slightly yesterday, as an unexpected drop in US housing figures spooked investors and weakness in food retailers and tobacco firms outpaced gains in miners and energy companies. The FTSE100 closed 0.1 per cent lower at 5,342.13 with Cable & Wireless, Unilever, Vodafone and HSBC going ex-dividend. Marks & Spencer [...]
Capital Pub Company says it sees signs of early recovery at its London outlets November 18, 2009 CAPITAL Pub Company yesterday reported a 20 per cent increase in profits yesterday in the half year to the end of September, raising hopes it would restart its dividend. Capital Pub, which operates 27 pubs throughout London, also saw a nine per cent increase in sales to £11.1m from £10.1m in 2008. Its adjusted pre-tax [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 17, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES BARCLAYS RETAIL CHIEF WARNS NEW ENTRANTSThe new head of global retail banking at Barclays has joined the backlash of traditional bankers against the entry into banking of supermarkets and other consumer companies. Antony Jenkins said the new competitors may be under-estimating the difficulties of breaking into the market. APOLLO SETS SIGHTS ON NYSE [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 11, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES BLUECREST TO RELOCATE 50 STAFF TO GENEVABlueCrest Capital, one of the UK’s largest hedge funds, is moving a significant portion of its operations to Geneva amid growing concerns about London’s status as a centre for alternative asset managers. Founded in 2000 by former JPMorgan traders Bill Reeves and Mike Platt, the $15.5bn firm [...]