Ryanair launches fresh bid to take over rival Aer Lingus
BUDGET airline Ryanair last night launched its long-anticipated takeover bid for fellow Irish carrier Aer Lingus in a deal that would value its target at €694 million (£560m).Ryanair, run by colourful...
View ArticleBusiness in brief: FSA | Omega | Cecil Jacobs | I–Design
THE City watchdog has said that 19.8 per cent of merger announcements last year were preceded by unusual share price movements.However, in its final report before being wound up next year, the...
View ArticleBankia’s airline stake may be sold
International Airlines Group (IAG) chief executive Willie Walsh has revealed investors have shown an interest in buying Spanish lender Bankia’s 12 per cent stake in the group.Bankia is under pressure...
View ArticleBoots sells major stake to US giant Walgreens for £4.3bn
THE owner of Boots yesterday agreed to sell 45 per cent of the health and beauty business to Walgreens, the largest pharmacy chain in the US, in a deal that could lead to an eventual £10.3 billion...
View ArticleAnnual ‘shareholder spring’ would hurt firms, says IMA chief
A SENIOR City figure has warned MPs of the risks of regular “shareholder spring” rebellions against excessive pay and poor corporate governance in Britain’s blue-chip boardrooms.Dick Saunders, chief...
View ArticleCash-strapped mums going to Iceland more
Nervous consumers are filling their freezers because of concerns over the economy, according to the latest snapshot on the health of Britain’s supermarkets.Kantar Worldpanel said sales at Iceland grew...
View ArticleNSA sets out its stall to EC on ear tagging issue
The National Sheep Association has risen to a challenge thrown down to them by the European Commission to prove there is no risk of disease spreading from sheep that remain on the farm on which they...
View ArticleVigilance key in stamping out livestock disease
The arrival of new animal diseases into this country was used last night by the president of the British Veterinary Association, Carl Padgett, to stress “the vital importance of a robust veterinary...
View ArticleArgos sales news cheers, but long-term view remains poor
SHARES in Home Retail Group (HRG) soared by nearly a quarter yesterday after it revealed that the bad weather and recession had not affected its Homebase and Argos stores as badly as many investors had...
View ArticleCosta brews up a further rise in sales for owner Whitbread
THE rapid growth of Premier Inn and coffee chain Costa continued into the first quarter as owner Whitbread reported better-than-expected sales figures.Total sales for the group, which also includes...
View ArticleMarkets: FTSE surges as inflation drops to 30-month low
FTSE 100 - CLOSE 5586.31 +95.22The odds on another emergency cash injection from the Bank of England appearing shortened yesterday as inflation dropped to a 30-month low, sending the FTSE 100 up nearly...
View ArticlePakistan deal worth £450m to Scots firms
SCOTTISH engineering companies are expected to share in more than $700 million (£450m) worth of contracts that will be unveiled this week when the governor of the Pakistani province of Sindh visits the...
View ArticleThe week ahead: Marks and Spencer to face shareholders at annual meeting
MARKS & SPENCER looks set to be the latest UK blue-chip to face tough questions from shareholders as its annual meeting coincides with what analysts expect will be grim first quarter trading...
View ArticleSlowdown in job creation may mean bleak times ahead
THE numbers of permanent and temporary jobs across the UK have both fallen in recent weeks, giving a “bleak” outlook on the employment front, according to two studies.The Recruitment and Employment...
View ArticleOne to watch: Chloe Smith
THE junior Treasury minister will get a chance to bounce back from her notorious mauling at the hands of the BBC’s Jeremy Paxman when she meets oil majors this week to discuss fresh support for the...
View ArticleDemands on non-execs could hit boardrooms
MORE stringent demands being put on non-executive directors following the financial crisis and the “shareholder spring” will have an impact on board diversity, according to headhunting firm...
View ArticleJeff Salway: Industry has to face up to the damage it has inflicted on itself
THERE remains a small but vociferous band within the financial services industry that refuses to accept that somehow, something went awry.If they felt the industry still inspired trust and confidence...
View ArticleComment: In the long term, today’s crisis may look more like a blip
WHEN viewed from close range, both the potential closure of the Vion pig meat processing plant at Broxburn and the forthcoming crisis meeting on milk prices are big, big events.But from a longer-term...
View ArticlePersonal finance: Scandals set to scare off many from investing in banks
JURY is out on whether to buy into institutions as yet again big names are shamed, writes Jeff SalwayIt’s either a good time to dive in while it offers value, or a time to steer well clear. The jury is...
View ArticleBusiness Stream boosts its board
Business Stream, Scottish Water’s non-domestic arm, has appointed two new non-executive directors as it prepares for the opening of a competitive market in England.Amanda McMillan, who is currently...
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