Morrisons is Xmas winner as sales surge January 21, 2010 SUPERMARKET chain WM Morrison posted the biggest rise in Christmas sales among Britain’s top four grocers – but urged caution about 2010. Sales at stores open at least a year rose 6.5 per cent, excluding petrol and VAT, in the six weeks to 3 January. Total revenue rose by 10.8 per cent for the period. [...]
BROKER WILLS & CO OPENS FIRE ON FSA’S REGULATORY CRACKDOWN January 18, 2010 WHEREAS most City firms are content to whinge ineffectually about the Financial Services Authority’s new heavy-handed approach to regulation, it seems that others are starting to put their money where their mouth is. Rumours have been busy swirling in the Square Mile over the regulatory status of private client stockbroker Wills & Co, which can [...]
Morrisons to trump its retail rivals January 17, 2010 WM MORRISON supermarkets is expected to announce outstanding trading results this week as it emerges from the Christmas period outperforming its rivals. Like-for-like sales of the UK’s fourth biggest supermarket chain are predicted to have improved seven per cent on the previous year, adding to the impressive turnaround overseen by soon-to-depart chief executive Marc Bolland. Bolland [...]
THE TIPSTER January 17, 2010 Retailers have had mixed fortunes over the Christmas period. Although shoppers spent huge amounts of cash in the run-up to the festive season, not everybody has gained in the same way. Supermarkets and cheap high-street chains have out-performed – department store John Lewis recorded its best ever revenues in December. But others could not keep [...]
Banks and miners lift FTSE but retail shares take a dive January 14, 2010 STRENGTH in miners helped Britain’s top share index to a 0.5 per cent rise by yesterday’s close after soaring output figures from Rio Tinto boosted the sector, but retailers fell on weak trading updates. The FTSE 100 ended 24.72 points higher at 5,498.20 after falling for two days, pressured by China’s decision to tighten banks’ [...]
Cool colours for kids’ bedrooms January 14, 2010 1 Reversible double duvet with planes, Cath Kidston, £48, www.cathkidston.co.uk 2 Cowboy print cushion, Cath Kidston, £6, www.cathkidston.co.uk 3 Posh graffiti wooden letters A-Z, John Lewis, £4.95, www.johnlewis.com 4 Rocky ceiling light, John Lewis, £52, www.johnlewis.com 5 Zebra Lamp, Childrens Lighting, £52, www.childrenslighting.co.uk 6 Jet Set Clock, Habitat, £36, www.habitat.co.uk 7 Wool Owl-Shaped Rug, Marks [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS January 13, 2010 BARCLAYS Execution has initiated coverage of Barclays with a “buy” rating. The broker said revenues at BarCap should be relatively sustainable due to its diverse fixed income business and revenue growth from its organic investment programme. It also sees Barclays as the best European investment bank on tangible equity to assets. BG GROUP Collins Stewart [...]
Matalan price gets a boost January 13, 2010 FASHION and homewares retailer Matalan has boosted its £1.5bn auction by revealing further strong growth over the Christmas period. The group revealed that like-for-like sales rose 13.7 per cent in the five weeks to 2 January. The upbeat trading statement came despite tough comparatives with positive trading figures seen a year earlier. Five private equity [...]
CITY HEAVYWEIGHTS GET THE URGE TO SLOG IT OUT IN THE BOXING RING January 13, 2010 THE High Court case rumbling on and on between BGC Partners and Tullett Prebon might not have exactly brought the City’s main money broking camps closer together, but at least it’s helped forge some more playful liaisons between those on the same side. Tullett’s boss, City veteran Terry Smith, is well known for his prowess [...]
House of Fraser celebrates sales January 10, 2010 Own-brand labels helped department store group House of Fraser to surging Christmas sales. Like-for-like sales rose 7.1 per cent in the eight weeks to 2 January, following a 1.5 per cent fall during the same period a year ago. Chief executive John King said the figures meant House of Fraser was a festive winner, putting [...]