BROWN CRUSHED AS VOTERS DUMP LABOUR June 7, 2009 PRIME Minister Gordon Brown will today face renewed pressure to quit after Labour suffered a drubbing in the European elections. Labour was humiliated in the polls, with support around 16 per cent of the national vote, putting it on a par with the eurosceptic UK Independence Party (Ukip). The Conservative party swept to victory, even [...]
THE LONDON REPORT June 7, 2009 CORPORATE data due out this week could help to steer the market, particularly with regards to retailer and consumer stocks, while investors in Independent News & Media will be hoping for an update on the future of the ailing publisher at its annual meeting on Wednesday. Today’s 17-week trading statement from JD Sports Fashion is [...]
Paulson loses on Barclays short position June 4, 2009 PROMINENT hedge fund manager John Paulson has abandoned his fund’s short position on Barclays, losing an estimated £100m in the process. The loss will be particularly keenly felt because New York-based fund Paulson closed its position just a day before Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Corporation opted to offload 1.3bn shares in Barclays, pushing the [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS June 3, 2009 VODAFONE GROUPCitigroup analysts returned from travelling with Vodafone managers to meet investors and were no less positive on the structural opportunity at the group than before. The broker remains a “buy” on the stock with a target price of 118p, but argues that targets could be increased, perhaps in November. The focus remains on shareholder [...]
Posties vote for strike action June 1, 2009 Postal workers in London have voted overwhelmingly in favour of striking over job cuts and cost-savings, according to the Communication Workers Union. Members backed the strike action by 9-1, the CWU said. The news comes as the government presses ahead with plans to part privatise Royal Mail, despite opposition from backbenchers.
WHERE TO DRINK May 27, 2009 NORTH:The Albion, nestling just off Upper Street, will make you forget you are in London. A massive, green beer garden and great food (it has won awards for its Sunday lunch) are topped off with a good beer selection, including Flowers IPA and Black Sheep.10 Thornhill Rd, N1 1HW. Highbury & Islington tube/rail. Tel: 020 [...]
US consumer confidence boosts late London trading May 26, 2009 BETTER than expected consumer confidence data out of the US gave the FTSE 100 a much-needed boost yesterday afternoon, after Asia’s sell-off – driven by concerns of heightening geopolictical tension on the Korean peninsula – infected the London markets in early trading. “Following the release of the US consumer confidence data there was an immediate [...]
AN ABUNDANCE OF GLITTER FOR THE ASIAN WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT May 21, 2009 LONDON’s most successful Asian ladies were out in force on Wednesday night for perhaps the sparkliest evening of the year, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, in association with Lloyds TSB. The star-studded guest list included Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as well as BBC Dragon James Caan, MP Tessa Jowell, Lib Dem [...]
the INSIDER May 21, 2009 I’M SUFFERING with a cold which may pack me off to bed for the Bank Holiday weekend. I just hope I’m fighting fit to watch the football next week and also make my annual pilgrimage to Beverley for the Hilary Needler Trophy, always a good pointer for a Royal Ascot filly. Thinking of fillies, I’m rather [...]
BLANK’S CHELSEA APPEARANCE SETS CITY TONGUES WAGGING ON HIS HEIR May 18, 2009 ANY idea that the downturn would affect corporate hospitality at the Chelsea Flower Show, traditionally one of the biggest, most important corporate schmooze-fests of the year, was smashed to smithereens at last night’s gala preview opening. Chelsea veterans including Marks & Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose, WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell, ICAP billionaire Michael [...]