Editor's Picks
Market spooked by Unilever dropping guidance
Thursday 05 Feb 2009
Management at Anglo-Dutch household goods giant Unilever declined to give guidance to the market on future prospects after posting a 51% gain in fourth quarter net income. Recently installed chief executive officer Paul Polman declined to give a forecast for 2009 or to reaffirm 2010 targets, preferring instead to focus on 2008
Dividend Income in "Year Zero"
Wednesday 04 Feb 2009
But beware dividend cuts (see updated table)
High Street on red alert as Baugur seeks protection
Wednesday 04 Feb 2009
Some of Britain's best known high street retailers are facing an uncertain future as Icelandic retail investor Baugur looks set to enter administration. Baugur, which holds stakes in House of Fraser, Hamleys, Debenhams and clothing brands Jane Norman and French Connection, has applied to the District Court in Reykjavik to enter the "moratorium" process.
Sterling forces up retail prices, services sector offers hope
Wednesday 04 Feb 2009
The weak pound pushed up food prices by 1.8% last month, lifting overall prices by 1.1% in January from the previous year, more than twice the rate at the end of 2008.
Aviva sales boosted by weak pound
Wednesday 04 Feb 2009
Norwich Union owner Aviva recorded its highest UK life and pensions new business ever last year though the picture overall was more mixed with the weakness of sterling masking falls elsewhere.
One-offs slash profits at BHP
Wednesday 04 Feb 2009
A number of exceptional items sent attributable profit plunging more than 56% at BHP during the last six months of 2008, but the mining giant still increased the dividend by 41%. Attributable profit fell to $2.62bn from $6.02bn a year earlier, mainly due to the indefinite suspension of Ravensthorpe, costs relating to the Rio Tinto offers, impairment of assets
Hedge your bets on BP
Tuesday 03 Feb 2009
While most people have welcomed the pricking of the oil price bubble, shareholders in oil companies might be forgiven for thinking that the decline in oil prices has now gone too far.
BA dives into red
Tuesday 03 Feb 2009
The weak economy and plunge in the value of the pound has sent British Airways into the red for the last nine months of 2008, with higher fuel prices helping drive up costs by more than £1bn.
Vodafone guidance boosted by weak pound
Tuesday 03 Feb 2009
Vodafone increased its guidance ranges for the year thanks to the weaker pound. Adjusted operating profit for the year to March is expected to be in the range of £11.5bn-£12bn, an increase of £0.5bn, reflecting the sterling’s weakness against the euro and dollar. Revenue outlook has been raised to £40.6bn-£41.5bn from £38.8bn-£39.7bn previously.
Heavy snowfall to hit economy
Monday 02 Feb 2009
Heavy snow in the UK has caused havoc for businesses with a fifth of all workers expected to have stayed at home.
Vodafone raises guidance on currency exchange
Monday 02 Feb 2009
Vodafone increased its guidance ranges for the year to March to reflect the positive foreign exchange environment. Adjusted operating profit is expected to be in the range of £11.5bn to £12bn, an increase of £0.5bn, while revenue outlook has been raised to £40.6bn-£41.5bn from £38.8bn-£39.7bn previously.
Update: Chinalco talks boost Rio shares
Monday 02 Feb 2009
Shares in Rio Tinto jumped ahead in an otherwise sluggish FTSE 100 after it confirmed speculation it has held talks with Chinalco that might see the Chinese state metals group buy interests in Rio’s businesses, or invest in a convertible bond. Anglo-Australian firm Rio, which last week sold assets to Vale for $1.6bn, repeated previous comments that it is
Woolies to return as online shop
Monday 02 Feb 2009
The Woolworths brand is poised for a comeback as an online retailer after the Barclay Brothers, owners of the Telegraph newspapers, bought the brand from the administrator.
Woolies to return as online shop
Monday 02 Feb 2009
The Woolworths brand is poised for a comeback as an online retailer after the Barclay Brothers, owners of the Telegraph newspapers, bought the brand from the administrator.
Why a gloomy January needn't spoil 2009
Sunday 01 Feb 2009
It’s not been a great start to the new year and investors could be forgiven for fearing the worst - last year the FTSE 100 lost more than 30% of its value - but the evidence suggests it’s too early to write off 2009. The leading index has mirrored January's performance over the full 12 months in 18 of the 25 years since its inception in 1984 - that’s a 72% success rate - but other statistics
Sunday's newspaper round-up: GSK, Rio Tinto, Lloyds
Sunday 01 Feb 2009
Britain's largest pharmaceuticals company, GlaxoSmithKline, is poised to axe thousands of jobs in order to cut costs and boost profits, reports the Observer.
Rio Tinto confirms Chinalco talks
Friday 30 Jan 2009
Miner Rio Tinto today confirmed speculation it has held talks with Chinalco that might see the Chinese state metals group buy interests in Rio’s businesses, or invest in a convertible bond. Anglo-Australian firm Rio, which last week sold assets to Vale for $1.6bn, repeated previous comments that it is continuing to “consider a range of options” to pay down its $37bn of debts.
Outlook darkens for Japanese economy
Friday 30 Jan 2009
The outlook for Japan's faltering economy is looking gloomier than ever as new signs emerge that the global recession is savaging demand for the country’s cars and electronics.
Outlook darkens for Japanese economy
Friday 30 Jan 2009
The outlook for Japan's faltering economy is looking gloomier than ever as new signs emerge that the global recession is savaging demand for the country’s cars and electronics.
27% of FTSE 100 priced below liquidation price
Friday 30 Jan 2009
The shares of 27% of FTSE-100 companies are now trading at a discount to the amount of money that could theoretically be raised by liquidating that company, reveals DigitalLook.com, the UK’s leading private investor website (see table below).
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