Britain needs to take Chinese lessons January 3, 2012 IT is quite fashionable to be bearish on China these days. Few think the Asian superpower will be able to brush off the Eurozone woes, inflation is sky high and its housing market bubble is about to go pop. I’ve noticed a certain smugness in those who predict pain for the Chinese, as though it [...]
CATHEDRAL CAROLS SET OFF A YEAR FOR HEALTH December 20, 2011 CITY GRANDEES joined some of the stars of Downton Abbey in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral last night at the launch of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2012. As Lord Mayor David Wootton explained to guests including Phil Raper, head of corporate broking UK at Goldman Sachs, Aon Benfield chairman Grahame Chilton, and Jonathan Moulds, [...]
We’re nearly at £300,000! December 15, 2011 We have been overwhelmed by the huge support from our readers for City A.M.’s first-ever Christmas charity appeal. After just four weeks of fundraising we are delighted to be within reach of raising £300,000 for our chosen charity, Opportunity International, which offers small loans and banking services to entrepreneurs in southern Malawi. We’re now asking [...]
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND? December 15, 2011 FILM SECRET CINEMA London’s worst-kept secret is back as of this week. As ever, the location and movie to be screened are hush-hush but there seems to be a military theme. Limited tickets available. BOOZE THE SKY LODGE This weekend is your last chance to check out the Alpine themed pop-up bar nestled under the [...]
Peacocks looks to close shops December 8, 2011 LOW-COST fashion retailer Peacocks is said to be mulling a cost-cutting plan to close up to 200 of its shops. The retailer is looking at restructuring its £240m debt pile and operations, according to Sky News. Peacocks currently has more than 500 stores worldwide, having started life as a bazaar in 1884. It delisted from [...]
Apple loses its battle for iPad trademark in China December 7, 2011 APPLE yesterday lost a lawsuit in which it claimed infringement of its iPad trademark by Taiwanese-owned company Proview Technology. Proview registered the name IPAD for use in mainland China in 2001, and in several other areas including the EU between 2000 and 2004. In 2006 it agreed to sell the “global trademark” to Apple, but claims [...]
AVB FUMES, DROGBA BLOOMS December 6, 2011 Victory provides ‘slap in the face’ for Chelsea’s critics CHELSEA 3 vs VALENCIA 0 CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas launched a blistering attack on perceived media “persecution” after swerving a premature Champions League exit and emerging as surprise winners of Group E. Two goals and a vintage performance from Didier Drogba, plus a third from Ramires, [...]
European Goldfields gets fresh takeover approach December 6, 2011 EUROPEAN Goldfields shares were halted on the Toronto Stock Exchange after a report the developer of mines in Greece has been approached about a takeover by Eldorado Gold. In a statement, European Goldfields acknowledged its “recent trading activity” and confirmed it had “received preliminary and indicative approaches from third parties regarding potential corporate transactions.” It [...]
Mecom sells in Norway to cut net debt December 6, 2011 NEWSPAPER group Mecom yesterday agreed the sale of its Norwegian division Edda Media to publishing and broadcasting corporation A-Pressen in a £190m deal. This value represents 7.9 times Edda Media’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for 2010 and will help Mecom cut its net debt of €302m (£259m), the company said. The [...]
Shops, sun and spice: Marrakech is the perfect winter weekend getaway December 5, 2011 HAVING spent a bit of time in Morocco before, I was bracing myself. Six years ago, on a lone voyage on a rusty old ship from Algeciras in Spain to Tangier, I was accosted by three tipsy artifact sellers on board, before getting my camera pinched on arrival at the dusty old port. Further into [...]