ARM boss Warren East plans to take over the world – one chip at a time October 25, 2011 Afew years ago a friend of mine tipped a little-known chip designer called ARM Holdings. He said it was going to be the next big thing. A year later, after its shares had shot up, he cursed his luck for not taking his own advice. But he prudently decided not to invest while it was [...]
Inflation-linked taxes worry retailers October 23, 2011 INFLATION-linked hikes in business rates will offset any gains from government plans to encourage local businesses, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said today. Business rates are set to increase by a “colossal” 5.6 per cent in April, the BRC has warned, as it is tied to September’s level of the retail price index (RPI). [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS October 19, 2011 WPP UBS rates the advertising giant as “neutral” with a target price of 620p, after this week’s digital investor day gave a positive outlook on the company’s longer-term strategy. The broker says the revenue opportunities for providing a wider variety of higher value services are very clear, but could come at a cost through staff [...]
Fastest price rises since CPI began in 1996 October 18, 2011 CONSUMER prices increased at a record rate in the year to September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said yesterday. The consumer price index (CPI) rose to 5.2 per cent – the highest since it was introduced in 1996, and equal to the peak in September 2008. The figure was 4.5 per cent in the [...]
British Gas chief warns hike in energy prices will continue October 17, 2011 HOUSEHOLD energy bills will continue to rise despite government measures, industry bosses warned yesterday as government ministers met the “Big Six” energy companies for talks. Phil Bentley, the managing director of British Gas said that prices in the longer term would keep increasing because of the rising cost of gas on the international market and [...]
A few cold facts in the debate on high energy bills October 17, 2011 AT YESTERDAY’S energy price summit, David Cameron pledged that he would do whatever he could to bring down the spiralling cost of energy bills. There is only one problem: the coalition’s own costly green energy policies, which threaten to raise energy prices even further in coming years. David Cameron’s energy advisers recently warned him of [...]
Make the most of half term and indulge your childish side as well October 17, 2011 THINGS TO DO LION KING 3D IMAX Everyone loves a bit of Lion King, and when it not only promises to be in 3D but also extra big on the IMAX screen, this offering is impossible to resist. 2-27 October, child ticket: £11, adult ticket: £16. LONDON ZOO Always a great place to take the [...]
America’s solar scandal is a warning: Bankrupt climate policies boost tax, not jobs October 11, 2011 IN SEPTEMBER 2009, the United States Department of Energy gave a $530m (£339m) loan guarantee to the solar company Solyndra. President Barack Obama said at the plant: “It’s here that companies like Solyndra are leading the way, towards a brighter and more prosperous future.” In September 2011, the company collapsed, the jobs which the Vice [...]
Greggs reports sales rise October 6, 2011 High street baker Greggs posted a slight acceleration in sales growth in its third-quarter, showing resilience in the face of severe macroeconomic headwinds. Greggs, which sells bread, sandwiches, savouries and cakes to over 6 million customers a week from 1,540 shops, said sales at stores open over a year rose 0.8 percent in the 13 [...]
Rising sun set to shine again September 28, 2011 THERE is a strong argument that Japanese equities are undervalued. Although the macro situation remains bleak, this doesn’t preclude companies from turning a profit – particularly on the back of Chinese demand. A GOOD DEAL Ben Seager Scott of Bestinvest says “Japan is looking like a fairly attractive investment opportunity at the moment, with cheap [...]