The Lex Column:
*Oiled lang syne (Scotland’s budget and North Sea production).
*UK airports - Virgin Atlantic, the long-haul airline, on Tuesday called the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority “more of a lapdog than a watchdog”. The outburst followed the CAA’s recommendation that the caps on how much regulated airports can charge airlines should rise.
*Centrica (CNA.L) - Has Centrica turned a corner? Since the end of August, shares in the UK’s biggest energy retailer have risen by 15 per cent. The reason is simple: the price of the UK winter 2006-07 wholesale gas contract has dropped by more than a fifth.
*Yahoo (the revamp).
*US housing - Now is a great time to buy a new luxury home in the US. So says Robert Toll, chief executive of the eponymous high-end house builder.
The Lombard Column:
*Christmas warnings come early, for Woolworths (WLW.L) - But other retailers also face tough times.
*Un-American activities (HSBC (HSBA.L)).
*Gamekeeper bagged (Brunswick/Stephen Carter).
Further news:
*Woolworths (WLW.L) issues profits alert.
*Dubai International Capital builds on its trade, financial and tourism drive.
*Rumours that property investor Paul Kemsley has bought a 5% stake holding in Quintain Estates (QED.L).
*Procter & Gamble (PGM.L) bid rumours lift SSL International (SSL.L).
*Renesola (SOLA.L) sets the pace for AIM’s China runners.
*Rumours that Aurum Mining (AUR.L) could be a takeover target for Celtic Resources (CER.L).
*Talk of higher than expected gold and molybdenum at Metals Exploration's (MTL.L) Runnono deposit.
The Business Editor’s Column:
*Real wonder of Woolies (WLW.L) is that it still has a place on the high street.
*Being thrifty with the truth won't impress Henderson's (HGI.L) investors.
*Pure blueprint Lord Leitch.
Further news:
*HSBC (HSBA.L) shares tumble to half-year low.
*Rumours that Sci Entertainment (SEG.L) could be close to agreeing a tie-up with Time Warner (TWX.L).
*Miners follow Antofagasta (ANTO.L) among the blue-chip risers.
*Takeover talk boost CRC Group (CCG.L).
Further news:
*Retailers fear more profit warnings.
*Sandals group goes on the march as takeover talk returns (SSL (SSL.L)).
*David Bruce, founder of the Firkin chain, to float Capital Pub Company on AIM.
The Outlook Column:
*If users and operators alike are complaining about the CAA's ruling, maybe it's about right.
*United Utilities (UU.L): concentrating on core competence.
*Mighty Tesco (TSCO.L) less mighty overseas.
The Investment Column:
*Halma (HLMA.L) fully valued.
*Hold ITE Group (ITE.L).
*Hold Universal Salvage (UVS.L).
Further news:
*BT Visions (BT.L) launch piles pressure on BSkyB (BSY.L).
*US hedge fund Kinetics Asset Management emerges as the London Stock Exchange's (LSE.L) third largest shareholder.
*NTL poised to walk away from its takeover approach for ITV (ITV.L).
*Aga Foodservice (AGA.L) decides not to make an offer for Enodis (ENO.L).
*OFCOM is being pressed to make mobile groups rise 3G spending.
*Carphone Warehouse (CPW.L) shares bounce back on reports that Vodafone (VOD.L) has partly backed down to stop sales through the retailer.
*Northgate Information (NIS.L) in deal to market housing system in the Netherlands.
*CRC Group (CCG.L) in advanced talks on possible cash bid for company at 50p-a-share.
*La Netro Zed to bid for Monstermob (MOB.L).
*Setanta Sports set for £213-million investment from Doughty Hanson and Goldman Sachs.
*Nanoscience (NAN.L) seeks shareholder approval for fundraising with fresh equity.
*Disney buys London sports channel NASN.
*The Government to auction £650-million in index-linked gilts maturing 2035 on 14th December.
*Barclays (BARC.L) pulls out of Olympics' sponsorship.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*The Dow Jones closed up 47.75-points at 12331.60, the Nasdaq added 3.99-points to 2452.38, while the S&P added 5.64-points to 1414.76.
*At least 6 people, including 2 Americans, have been killed in a suicide attack in southern Afghanistan, officials and witnesses say. Reports say a suicide bomber blew himself up near the staff of a security company in front of a building in Kandahar, a Taleban stronghold. A number of people were injured in the attack, officials said.
*Airline passengers at Heathrow airport are being invited to sign up for a British trial of biometric security scanners. Travellers will be able to use fingerprint, facial recognition and eye scanning to bypass boarding queues. Those trying the miSense system have their fingerprints and passport scanned at a kiosk in the check-in area. The measures are designed to make travelling easier, while maintaining the currently high levels of security.
*The Chancellor prepares to raise duty on petrol.
*Schools are at the heart of Chancellor's Public Borrowing Requirement.
*The UK’s take home pay growth slumped to a 2-year low last month.
*UK November Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply service sector index increased to 59.8, its highest since January 2004.
*The IMF to revise down 2007 world economic growth forecast.
*Robert Gates, picked by President Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld as defence secretary, acknowledges that the US is not winning the war in Iraq.
*Retailers fear more profit warnings after Woolworths (WLW.L) alert yesterday.
*Bank charges to soar as lenders try to recoup £3-billion cost of Office of Fair Trading rules.
*Rail regulator to make freight train operators pay for goods only lines.
*Leverage from cheap debt lets smaller companies bid for larger ones.
*US October factory orders down 4.7%, the largest decline in over six years.
*US Institute for Supply Management index jumps to 58.9 in November from 57.1 in October.
*US third-quarter productivity revised up 0.2% vs 0.5% expected.
*Open skies hopes suffer as US abandons airline reforms.
*Robert Toll, chief executive of luxury US home builder Toll Bros, says the slump may be bottoming out.
*New Media Lottery Services (NMLS.L) sees business continuing strong in upcoming year.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
