Debenhams share price rises on surprise profit rise ahead of forecasts April 16, 2015 The figures Pre-tax profits at Debenhams were up 4.3 per cent to £88.9m during its first half, ahead of analysts expectation of profits remaining flat on last year's £85.2m. Group statutory revenue was up 1.6 per cent to £1.3bn. Group like-for-like sales were up 1.3 per cent for the 26 weeks to 28 February. The retailer also [...]
Mothercare share price shoots up with turnaround on track despite currency headwinds April 16, 2015 The figures Mothercare improved sales at home and abroad in the fourth quarter, but currency headwinds are still blowing. In the UK sales inched up 1.5 per cent on the same period last year, a turnaround from consecutive declines in previous quarters and like-for-like sales were up 5.1 per cent after a 4.5 per cent [...]
Life is short. Have an affair: Infidelity site AshleyMadison.com in attempt to woo London bankers April 15, 2015 A controversial dating website which helps married people cheat on their spouses has unveiled plans to list in London due to the capital’s “laissez-faire” attitude to extra-marital affairs. Canada-based AshleyMadison.com – which has the slogan “Life is short. Have an affair” – said it wants to raise $200m (£135m) through a listing later this year [...]
Greek debt gets downgraded as Yanis Varoufakis heads to Washington April 15, 2015 Greece’s debt was downgraded further into junk territory yesterday while Germany’s finance minister cast doubt on hopes that a deal on more funding for the country could be struck next week. Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the country’s debt further into junk to CCC+/C from B-/B. “Without deep economic reform or further relief, we [...]
Bank of America cuts costs to get back in the black April 15, 2015 Bank of America swung back to profit in the first quarter of the year as diving costs offset a small fall in revenues to improve the giant lender’s fortunes. Profits came in at $2.98bn (£2bn) for the quarter, compared with a loss of $514m in the same period of 2014. Revenues slid six per cent [...]
Households’ heavy debts could hurt the UK’s economic recovery April 15, 2015 Britons are still carrying heavy private debts, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned yesterday, which could hamper the burgeoning economic recovery. High rates of borrowing in the pre-crash years led to a consumer boom as debt-funded spending drove economic growth. But “the crisis exposed the fragility of this credit-driven growth model and the risks to [...]
Legal & General paid chief Nigel Wilson £4.2m last year April 15, 2015 Insurance boss Nigel Wilson made £4.2m in 2014, up from £4m the year before. The total remuneration received by Wilson, who heads up insurance and investment group Legal & General, included a base salary of £808,000 and also £2m from a three-year performance share plan which vested last year. To qualify for the full [...]
Asia Resource Minerals share price soars as Rothschild pushes on despite ASML proposal April 15, 2015 Shares in Asia Resource Minerals (Arms) surged up by 80 per cent yesterday, following a statement from shareholder Argyle Street Management (ASML) that it is considering making a £200m takeover bid for the mining group through a new vehicle. The shares hit 29p before easing back to close at 27p. ASML, funded by Indonesian business, [...]
General Election nerves and a lack of supply causing property sales to flatline April 15, 2015 An uncertain General Election, combined with supply constraints, has led to flatlining property sales and enquiries. The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) shows that London saw a decline in both enquiries and sales for the 11th month in a row. Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “Anecdotal evidence does suggest [...]
UK Oil and Gas Investments share price slips after downplaying size of Horse Hill Gatwick oil discovery in “clarification” April 15, 2015 The company behind an oil discovery at Horse Hill near Gatwick which it claimed could be larger than the North Sea oil fields has issued a clarification downplaying the size of the find. UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG) clarified that estimates "should not be considered as either contingent or prospective resources or reserves," after saying the [...]
