What you need to know before the open – 27/01 January 27, 2014 After Friday’s falls, European stocks are expected much lower this morning, bracing themselves for another day of volatility. US markets posted their worst daily declines since 2011, as emerging markets felt the full force of economic instability in Argentina, Ukraine and Turkey. Selloffs picked up apace, dragging down Europe and the US. Investors have been [...]
Bottom Line: BSkyB’s forecast still uncertain January 26, 2014 WHILE headlines surrounding BSkyB’s second quarter results on Thursday will certainly centre around an expected drop in profits – which analysts say could be as much as 10 per cent – the escalating cost of sports rights and the uncertainty of hanging on to the most precious of those rights continues to cast a shadow [...]
London Report: Growth figures set to show UK’s strong recovery January 26, 2014 GROWTH figures for the fourth quarter are expected to give further proof of Britain’s booming recovery. Economists predict expansion of 0.8 per cent in the final three months – giving the UK its strongest yearly growth since 2007. Jonathan Loynes, of Capital economics, said: “We think that the preliminary estimate of GDP in the fourth [...]
Rocky to deliver knockout blow in Argento with ground to suit January 23, 2014 BILL ESDAILE AND BEN CLEMINSON WITH THE WEEKEND’S BEST RACING AND FOOTBALL BETS TRIALS Day at Cheltenham gives jockeys the last chance to ride around Prestbury Park before they line-up for the Festival opener, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, in six and a half weeks. There is no doubt that the highlight of the card is [...]
Gunners to keep the door firmly shut on visiting Sky Blues January 23, 2014 THE FA Cup returns tonight with Arsenal kicking off a packed weekend programme as they host Coventry. Considering the Gunners are top of the Premier League, and the only defeat they’ve suffered at the Emirates in their last 10 outings was against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup, it’s no surprise Arsene Wenger’s men are [...]
5 big things we’ve learned from tech leaders at Davos January 23, 2014 From “The New Digital Context” discussion at Davos yesterday 1. The Internet of Things will be worth $19 trillionCisco chief executive John Chambers said that he expects the market of internet connected devices – excluding PCs, tablets and laptops – to be worth an incredible $19 trillion by 2024. 2. PCs are being left behind [...]
Best of the Brokers for 23 January 2014 January 22, 2014 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com MICRO FOCUS INTERNATIONAL Panmure Gordon keeps the IT group at a “buy” rating with a target of 851p. The broker says Micro Focus is “sailing along nicely”, with a solid 10.1 per cent dividend yield, and that investors should take advantage of a [...]
Letters to the Editor – 23/01 – Pensions crisis, Best of Twitter January 22, 2014 Pensions crisis [Re: Brits Told: Save Six Times More For Your Pension or Face Poverty, yesterday] Policy Exchange’s report highlights the pension poverty the British public will face unless a radical change in our savings culture occurs. But the shortfall of auto-enrolment is its mandatory nature, which drives apathy. Abolishing opt-outs will not solve the [...]
Whitbread to say goodbye to chairman Habgood January 22, 2014 Costa and Premier Inn owner Whitbread has announced this morning that its chairman Anthony Habgood is to step down. Back in November, Sky News reported that the FTSE 100 group was already on the hunt for a successor to Habgood, who’s held his position since mid 2005. He'll leave later in the year. The search [...]
Fat Face joins queue to float in London January 20, 2014 FAT FACE, the clothing company, is inching towards a stock market float after appointing Citigroup and Jefferies. The firm’s private equity owner Bridgepoint appointed Lazard before Christmas to explore options for the business, which it has owned since 2007. Yesterday’s move, first reported by Sky News, suggests it will pull the trigger on a float.