Versace to get 2010 China sales boost
Aug 05, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
Italian fashion house Versace expects to post higher sales in 2010 on the back of its restructuring and China’s growing appetite for luxury goods, its chief executive said. In an interview with Reuters, Gian Giacomo Ferraris said he remained confident about a return to profitability in 2011, thanks to a more efficient distribution network and […]
Next says consumer slowdown will be modest
Aug 04, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
Consumer spending in Britain is likely to remain constrained for the foreseeable future, but any slowdown in demand is likely to be modest, the chief executive of fashion retailer Next told reporters. Simon Wolfson also said in a telephone interview that the group was stepping up spending on standalone homewares stores, where new shops are […]
Romania meets IMF, EU conditions for bailout deal
Aug 04, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
Romania has met IMF and EU conditions for continuing its €20bn bailout programme, offering some reassurance to investors concerned about the country’s deep and prolonged recession. IMF mission chief Jeffrey Franks has said no major policy changes were needed after the latest review of Romania, which has slashed public spending including wages and raised value […]
Outsourcer Mouchel sees tough trading on govt cuts
Aug 03, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
British outsourcer Mouchel Plc says it expects its full year results to be at the lower end of expectations as government spending cuts create a difficult trading environment. Mouchel, which provides maintenance for highways in Britain, said that over the past year it secured £650m ($1bn) of new contracts but a lack of clarity over […]
Gold miner Kinross to buy Red Back for $7bn
Aug 03, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
Gold miner Kinross Gold Corp said it will buy the 91 percent of Red Back Mining Inc that it does not already own for around $7bn to create one of the world’s largest gold miners. The company said it will pay around $30.50 Canadian a share in stock and warrants for each Red Back share, […]
Profits beat view after bad debts tumble
Aug 02, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
The two banks showed a dip in investment banking income in the latest quarter, but more than made up for that with lower losses on personal and corporate loans as broad economic conditions improved. Half-year profits for HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, hit $11.1bn, more than double the $5bn of a year ago and above the […]
Customers intrigued by new British bank Metro
Aug 02, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
A steady stream of customers were greeted with an array of gimmicks. Not only does the bank welcome dogs, it provided them with free biscuits and offered their owners free breakfast. “We’re in the business of turning customers into fans,” American billionaire and Metro Bank co-founder Vernon Hill told reporters. Metro Bank aims to have […]
Guinea must review mining deals – Diallo
Aug 02, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
Guinea must review billions of dollars worth of mining deals signed since a coup in 2008 to make sure the West African state is getting its fair share of revenue, election front-runner Cellou Dallein Diallo said. Contracts signed by multinationals such as Rio Tinto, Vale, and Chalco should be reviewed fairly, in a way that […]
Russia grain export forecasts cut as drought rages
Aug 02, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
A key lobby group has became the latest body to downgrade Russia’s 2010 crop prospects as the worst drought in 130 years threatened harvests in the major wheat exporter, sending key wheat prices to 22-month highs. The recent jump in US wheat prices followed a 42 percent leap in wheat futures on the Chicago Board […]
Investor pressure to oust Pru execs waning
Jul 30, 2010
Jeremy Parkinson
News
The pressure on Prudential chief Tidjane Thiam to quit in the wake of the insurer’s failed bid for Asian rival AIA has eased, with big investors refusing to put their weight behind an attempt to remove him. Both Thiam and Pru chairman Harvey McGrath faced calls to step down after the insurer’s $35.5bn bid for […]