Financial News

Becky Barrow, Daily Mail3 January 2006 THE days of no-charge cash machines are numbered, consumers were warned yesterday. FEE-CHARGING TAKEOVER: Free ATMs are set to disappear from the High Street as charging machines take over OTHER STORIES Internet banking on the march National Savings boosts rates Bank with us or else, says HSBC Greenpeace donors hit by glitch Wesleyan trims 25-year payouts USEFUL SAVINGS LINKS EMAIL US: Contact the team GUIDES: Saving and ...

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- While you may read other hot news about mutual funds in the year ahead, here are my predictions for the most important stories you're likely to see in 2006. document.write(''); MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE  IN INVESTING Apartment REITs and the rental-market rebound  IN MUTUAL FUNDS What 2006 holds for mutual funds, investors  IN LIFE & MONE ...

Jack Gee, Mail on Sunday1 January 2006 CAMAIEU, France's answer to H&M, Zara and Etam, is working on plans to launch in Britain. OTHER STORIES LSE: Are bidders 'fit and proper'? Footsie's surge puts property in shade Market report: Friday close Tell all on pensions in job ads, says MP Lloyd's cashes in on Islamic cover THE EDITOR'S CHOICE TOP STORY: Experts predict rate ...

Simon Watkins, Mail on Sunday1 January 2006 CITY forecasters were again proved wildly wrong last week as the stock market ended 2005 far above their predictions. The FTSE 100 settled at 5,618% - up 17% on the year and 12% higher than the average rise forecast by investment banks. WANT TO KNOW MORE? READER SERVICE: Share dealing OTHER STORIES Market report: Friday close Top investm ...

LONDON (Dow Jones) -- German chemicals giant BASF AG launched Tuesday a hostile $4.9 billion cash takeover bid for Engelhard Corp. and said it might pay even more if the Iselin, N.J.-based target opens its books. BASF(BF)said it is offering $37 a share for materials-science specialist Engelhard(EC)in an effort to become a worldwide leader in the market for catalysts, chemicals that trigger mole ...

Hopes that Volkswagen was making progress in the sale of its Europcar vehicle rental business helped drive shares in Europe’s biggest carmaker to a three-week high yesterday. // The sale of Europcar has attracted six bidders, including Sixt, a rival German car hire operator, as reported by this newspaper yesterday. Analysts estimate Europcar will attract bids of up to €2.5bn, including debt. VW  ...

By Lincoln Feast LONDON (Reuters) - Investors in European equities ended a stellar 2005 with strong returns in the fourth quarter and, while few expect 2006 to match the previous 12 months, stocks remain the most popular asset bet for the year ahead. Analysts predict the robust global economy which supported equities and commodities in 2005 to lose some steam from about the middle of next year as previous rises in global interest rates bite. That should cushion government bonds from a retreat  ...

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Anglo-Dutch steel and aluminium company Corus Group said on Tuesday it had agreed to sell Corus Perfo, part of its distribution and buildings systems division, to German firm Dillinger Fabrik. Corus (CS.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said the divestment was part of its strategy to concentrate on activities with high added value. Corus, Europe's third-largest steel maker, was ...