FTSE rally continues despite earnings woes for retailers March 30, 2011 THE FTSE 100 closed higher for a sixth consecutive session yesterday, its best run since August 2010, as investors ditched retailers over earnings worries in favour of growth sectors such as industrials and mining. Dixons issued a profit warning and gloomy outlook as a survey from the CBI showed the underlying trend for retail sales [...]
ICB meets to finalise bank report March 29, 2011 The members of the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) are due to meet in London today to put the finishing touches to their interim report into a possible overhaul of the banking sector, due to be published on 11 April. The panel’s final recommendations are not due until autumn, but three banking bosses plan to [...]
Socrates is voted back March 27, 2011 INTERIM Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates has been voted back in as leader of his Socialist Party after quitting last week. He had walked out after parliament voted down the Socialists’ austerity budget, but his victory in the party vote means he will lead them into an election in two months’ time. He won 93 [...]
CONVERSATIONS IN DARK CORNERS FOR CITY’S BRIGHTEST TALENTS March 27, 2011 THE guest list included some of the most talented young people in banking and finance – but they were still incapable of finding the party without first getting lost in the neighbouring Barbican housing complex. However, once safely inside the Square Mile World Spreads 30 Under 30 Awards at the elusive Museum of London, small-talk [...]
Sri Lanka not home and dry against Three Lions March 24, 2011 SRI LANKA vs ENGLAND TOMORROW – 9.00 AM SKY SPORTS ENGLAND’S World Cup story has taken more twists and turns than a Bollywood classic and in spite of themselves – just as in all good movies – the protagonists of this tale still have the chance of a happy ending. If the Three Lions are [...]
No prams allowed: where singles rule March 24, 2011 ACCORDING to 2009 statistics from the Office of National Statistics General Household Survey, the number of single women has more than doubled over the past three decades. Singleness is on the rise and London is increasingly being divided into two camps: buzzy, occasionally gritty singleton hotspots stuffed to the rafters with bars – and family [...]
CHELMSFORD, ESSEX March 24, 2011 THE BARNSTON Price: £299,000 This newly built three-bedroom house with carport and parking space is only a mile and half from Chelmsford town centre and railway station. Its kitchen has been kitted out with stainless steel hobs, oven and appliances. There is a front and back garden. Contact: Crest Nicholson on 01932 580555 or go [...]
The beefed up new Merc SLK March 22, 2011 Despite selling well, the Mercedes-Benz SLK has been seen as a bit fluffy, a lesser animal when compared to some of its roadster rivals. This hasn’t been helped by the fact that most buyers of the car have been female, something that has switched some less- evolved men off. Now Mercedes-Benz is making a considered [...]
Caribbean Travel March 21, 2011 Jamaica BEST BEACH Jamaica is one of the few Caribbean islands that is blessed by being totally surrounded by the warm Caribbean sea. That said, the choice of beaches is unending and in Montego Bay, one of the best to experience is the Doctors cave Beach. Celebrating over 100 years as a bathing beach, it [...]
Expect conservative City to aim for draw at Bridge March 17, 2011 CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER CITY SUNDAY – 4.00PM SKY SPORTS 1 THE salvage operation began just in time to save Chelsea’s season from total meltdown, but it looks too late to keep the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge, and any flickering hope will go with defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday. Even the [...]