From stamp duty to the triple lock, Andy Haldane says bold Burnham leadership can usher ‘vibe change’ for UK economy
Optimism returns as flood of firms set for London flotations February 18, 2010 GOLD mining giant Barrick Gold yesterday led a spirited charge by companies back into the London initial public offering (IPO) markets, after quavering demand from investors sank prospects for three new flotations in the space of just over a week. Barrick announced plans to spin off its African assets into a new company, African Barrick [...]
WESTFIELD PULLING IN THE CROWDS February 17, 2010 SALES at Westfield shopping centre were up 11 per cent last month, it was revealed yesterday, lifting some of the gloom that has dogged the wider retail market. The mall in West London’s Shepherd’s Bush also saw spending in the run-up to to crucial Christmas trading period soar 18 per cent compared with the equivalent [...]
British stocks hold their shine in spite of gloom February 17, 2010 UNEMPLOYMENT is high, the economy is barely out of recession and the UK’s fiscal deficit is cause for concern. Compared to emerging markets where growth is storming ahead, it seems like a no-brainer as to where to invest. Barclays Stockbrokers’ clients agree – half think emerging markets will deliver the greatest returns in 2010 while [...]
Westfield sales up February 17, 2010 SALES at Westfield shopping centre were up 11 per cent last month lifting some of the gloom from the retail market. The mall in West London’s Shepherds Bush also saw spending in the run-up to Christmas soaring by 18 per cent compared with the same period in 2008 when the UK was in the grip of [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING February 16, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES YOUNG GENERATIONS FACE WEALTH DEFECIT Baby boomers hold so much of Britain’s wealth that a prosperity gap is opening between the generations, with people born after 1970 unlikely to acquire the wealth their parents enjoy, a Conservative shadow cabinet member has warned. David Willetts said in a speech to the London School of [...]
FIRMS NEED NEW WAYS TO RAISE CASH February 15, 2010 IT has not been good news of late for UK IPOs. First the US travel group Travelport pulled its £1.2bn London flotation after failing to win investors’ support in turbulent markets. The next day, Madame Tussaud’s operator Merlin Entertainment put its £2bn flotation on hold, with severe market volatility blamed for the delay. Fashion retailer [...]
ING tackles Rugby with bid February 15, 2010 LISTED property fund Rugby Estates revealed a 7.5 per cent increase in the value of its portfolio yesterday as it upped the stakes in bid talks with a trust run by Dutch manager ING. Shares in Rugby rose 12.7 per cent to 55.5p after it announced a fresh external valuation rated its assets at £68.3m [...]
SuperGroup in £125m flotation plan February 15, 2010 FASHION company SuperGroup is is set to launch a £125m stock market flotation. The move comes after a series of other companies, including fellow fashion retailer New Look, decided to shelve their planned initial public offerings (IPOs) last week. SuperGroup owns the Superdry brand sported by celebrities such as David Beckham and High School Musical [...]
Ocado denies problem with upcoming IPO February 15, 2010 ONLINE groceries firm Ocado hit back last night at reports its £1.2bn initial public offering (IPO) was under threat. The shadow of doubt was cast after reports emerged Waitrose is planning to launch a rival delivery service in central London. But Ocado chief financial officer Andrew Bracey told City A.M. the firms are not in [...]
Why the London Stock Exchange’s French boss is taking on the world February 14, 2010 L ONDON’s financial services community has a new champion: Xavier Rolet, the 50-year old French banker who took over as the London Stock Exchange’s CEO last year. Unlike many British commentators, who seem desperate to talk down one the UK’s most important industries, Rolet realises how important a prosperous City is to the UK and [...]