London house prices: Foxtons share price dips as slowing luxury market takes its toll March 11, 2015 The figures Upmarket estate agent Foxtons had a topsy-turvy year in 2014, with the gradual slowing in London house price growth dragging down its share price. Earlier in the year when prices were still rising fast the skies were only blue. Chief executive Nic Budden said it best: last year was a year of "contrasting [...]
Charles Stanley closes in on deal to offload its securities division March 10, 2015 CITY broker and wealth manager Charles Stanley yesterday confirmed it was in exclusive talks with a suitor to sell its securities business. Responding to a report by Sky News that Oriel Securities owner Stifel Financial was the potential buyer, the group confirmed it was in talks, but did not name the potential acquirer. Sky News [...]
Vyta Du Roc looks the value call in wide-open Neptune March 10, 2015 ANOTHER Cheltenham Festival novice hurdle and another Willie Mullins-trained favourite. Nichols Canyon is a warm order to land this afternoon’s opening Neptune Novices’ Hurdle (1.30pm) and follow in the hoofprints of Douvan, yesterday’s hugely impressive Sky Bet Supreme Novices winner. The five-year-old son of Authorized looked very good when quickening up smartly from the front [...]
Prudential share price slides despite profit rise as Tidjane Thiam prepares move to Credit Suisse March 10, 2015 The numbers Prudential has reported a profit before tax of £2.6bn for 2014 – 60 per cent up from the previous year. Operating profit rose 14 per cent to £3.1bn. The company's full year dividend climbed by 10 per cent to 36p per share. The Pru's capital surplus is estimated to stand at £4.7bn. Why it's [...]
Prudential boss Tidjane Thiam jumps into Credit Suisse role March 9, 2015 Prudential boss Tidjane Thiam is set to leave the FTSE 100 giant later this year to head Swiss banking titan Credit Suisse, it emerged last night. The surprise exit, which would bring the curtain down on a six-year tenure at the helm of the Pru, is expected to be announced as soon as this morning, [...]
Alvisio Ville and Seedling to put it up to Douvan March 9, 2015 PUNTERS up and down the land will be waking up this morning and deciding which of the short-priced Willie Mullins horses to put into multiples. The most likely scenario is that the majority will put in all four together: Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen and Annie Power. But this is Cheltenham, the place where hotpots [...]
Faugheen to prove he is the real deal in Champion March 9, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE CHAMPION HURDLE AND MARES’ HURDLE THERE may only be a field of eight for this afternoon’s Stan James Champion Hurdle (3.20pm), but what we lack in quantity is more than made up for in terms of quality. Red-hot favourite FAUGHEEN may well be the name on everyone’s lips this afternoon, but [...]
Glens Melody likely to chase Annie home in Mares’ Hurdle March 9, 2015 CHELTENHAM without Quevega will seem a little strange this year as Willie Mullins’ wonder mare is not around to record a seventh straight win in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (4.00pm). However, the all-conquering Mullins yard have nominated an able substitute in the extraordinarily talented Annie Power, whose only ever defeat came in last year’s World [...]
The Job Is Right can keep Irish eyes smiling in the four-miler March 9, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE REMAINDER OF DAY ONE THE TOBY Balding National Hunt Chase (4.40pm) is run over four miles and only amateur riders can take part. I always keep a close eye out for the jockeys in this contest, as the better ones will have been offered loads of rides. Without doubt the leading [...]
Battersea Power Station’s stunning new office development March 9, 2015 Battersea Power station is the latest development in London vying to become the next must-have office space for businesses. The massive redevelopment of the area south of the Thames will incorporate more than one million sq ft of office space across the 42-acre which also hosts homes, restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques. Six upper floors [...]