Financial News

Matalan was a standout gainer in a falling London market on Friday ahead of the discount retailer’s figures next week. // Beset with problems, Matalan’s most recent trading updated confirmed a slump in sales. It is also searching for its fourth chief executive in just five years. Friday brought better news as Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from “underperform” to “inline”, forecasting a modest r ...

LONDON (Dow Jones) -- Shareholders of Arcelor, the European steelmaker that is fighting a $25 billion hostile takeover bid by Mittal Steel, on Friday re- elected the entire board of directors, thereby confirming their support of management's decision to fend off a bid. "A vast majority of shareholders have spoken in favor of Arcelor today," Chairman Joseph Kinsch told a press conference followi ...

Simon Lambert, This is Money28 April 2006 FOOTBALL fans will see the biggest shake-up in televised top-flight football since the birth of the Premier League after BSkyB won just half the live packages. SCREEN STAR: BSkyB has won the rights to show just half of live Premiership games WANT TO KNOW MORE? REPORT: Football's coming home SWITCH & SAVE: Slash broadband costs GUIDES: Broadband OTHER STORIES Friends beats sales forecast Market report: Friday 10.30 Watch ...

LONDON (Reuters) - The country's biggest car dealer Pendragon said on Friday it was maintaining its cautious outlook for 2006 as trading in the first quarter had been in line with its expectations. "The market for new cars has been down by around five percent so far this year when compared to last year. I believe this will be representative of the market for the remainder of this year," Pendragon ...

Ross Tieman, Evening Standard28 April 2006 TWO powerful investment groups will today lead efforts by shareholders in steel group Arcelor to kick the company's chairman and deputy off the board. OTHER STORIES Watchdog warns of pension peril Market report: Friday preview Doorstep lenders slammed Asda takes on estate agents Don't miss this week's Financial Mail THE EDITOR'S CHOI ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Life insurer Friends Provident said on Friday its life and pensions sales rose 26 percent in the first quarter, above forecasts, boosted by pensions sales at home and stronger-than-expected growth abroad. The company said it had total new sales of 1.33 billion pounds, above a consensus 1.22 billion pounds expected by 14 analysts in a poll conducted by the company. Estimates ranged from 1.18 billion to 1.27 billion pounds. Friends Provident (FP.L: Quote, Profile, Research) ,  ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Life insurer Friends Provident (FP.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday its life and pensions sales rose 26 percent in the first quarter, above forecasts, boosted by pensions sales at home and stronger-than-expected growth abroad. The company said it had total new sales of 1.33 billion pounds, above a consensus 1.22 billion pounds expected by 14 analysts in a poll conducted by the company. Estimates ranged from 1.18 billion to 1.27 billion pounds. Friends Provident,  ...

The International Securities Exchange, the world’s largest equity options exchange, which is in the process of launching a stock exchange, on Thursday reported a 40 per cent rise in first quarter profits, boosted by rising volumes in derivatives trading. // ISE’s profits for the quarter reached $12.4m on 28.9 per cent higher revenues of $47.5m. The average daily volume of equity and index options contracts traded on the exchange rose to 2.4m contracts from 1.7m last year. Globally, the deriv ...

NEW YORK (Dow Jones) -- Alberto-Culver Co. said Thursday that second-quarter income rose almost 16%, helped by the launch of its Nexxus retail business and strong sales of TRESemme hair-care products. Alberto-Culver (ACV) , whose brands range from St. Ives shampoo to Mrs. Dash seasoning, said net income rose to $56.9 million, or 61 cents a share, from $ 49.1 million, or 53 cents, a year ago. Ex ...

Ken SurgenorCAR dealer Lookers is celebrating after slaying larger rival Pendragon's hostile takeover bid. Just 21 per cent of investors in the Old Trafford group voted to accept the all-share offer from the Nottingham company. Lookers chief executive Ken Surgenor, who mounted the successful defence, said he was "over the moon." Advertisement your story continues below "We are obviously delighted at this terrific result, we have been given a vote of confidence by shareholders. "The Pend ...