The property boss who can see the light at the end of the tunnel July 5, 2009 The airy offices of Knight Frank chairman Nick Thomlinson are as good a place as any to survey the wreckage of the property market over the last two years. So it can only be good news that the head of the UK’s largest privately-owned property business shows no sign of panic as he holds court [...]
Covering up in style July 2, 2009 GOING to the beach is a whole fashion experience. Think you can get away with your swimsuit and an old T-shirt or sundress? No way. The sun, sand, sea or pool call for a lot more. Leaving aside totes, towels, deckchairs, designer suncream, fetching hats and gleaming sandals, let’s focus on your body. What you [...]
Britain’s transport policy in deep crisis July 1, 2009 BRITAIN’S transport policy is in chaos. This is hardly news, you might say, but the issue is once again at the fore. It is clear that there is a big problem with the way the rail franchises have been allocated. Firms have an incentive to bid too much for a franchise because they know that [...]
M&S has best performance in two years July 1, 2009 MARKS & SPENCER (M&S) said yesterday that its 125th anniversary celebrations, a late Easter and the arrival of summer had all helped drive it to the best quarterly performance in nearly two years. M&S reported a drop in UK like-for-like sales of 1.7 per cent for the first quarter, ending 27 June, compared to a [...]
FTSE gains on commodities rally after price of oil rises July 1, 2009 THE FTSE 100 closed 2.2 per cent higher yesterday, fuelled by a rise in the oil price which prompted a strong rally in commodity stocks, and on hopes that the recession may be drawing to a close. The index was up 91.50 points at 4,340.71, after closing 1 per cent lower on Tuesday. “When (the [...]
Shrinking economy shakes market but Wolseley grows June 30, 2009 WEAKER than expected consumer confidence figures in the US drove some shares lower yesterday, with banks, miners and food retailers leading the fallers. The FTSE 100 shed one per cent, or 44.82 points, to close at 4,249.21. But the index is up 8.2 per cent on the quarter, the best such performance since the final [...]
Rose row set to rumble on June 28, 2009 MARKS and Spencer is this week preparing to post better-than-expected sales figures for the first quarter, though the results will remain overshadowed by growing unrest among shareholders regarding Sir Stuart Rose’s dual leadership role. According to analysts, favourable weather patterns and a late Easter should have boosted the retailer’s performance over the first quarter. M&S [...]
When the going’s tough, the City goes shopping June 28, 2009 SIR Stuart Rose has recently waived more than £1m worth of Marks & Spencers share options, and could come under more pressure at this week’s annual meeting. Discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl have just announced a slowdown in growth, while on TV Mary Portas has moved from advising high street stores to charity shops. [...]
Investors hope for further optimism June 28, 2009 THERE has been a noticeable air of optimism about the markets lately, and investors will be looking for signs to validate their cheer. Premier Foods, kicking the week off today with its first half trading statement, should not disappoint. Analysts at Royal Bank of Scotland anticipate that Premier will reiterate good sales growth, costs under [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS June 25, 2009 TUI TRAVELCitigroup upgraded TUI Travel to “buy” to take into account improved booking trend data and the economic outlook. It raised its earnings per share estimates by 12.5 per cent to 23.5p. But the broker sees downside risk as the shares are likely to be driven by rival Thomas Cook, which is the subject of [...]