Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Business Matrix: Monday 20 January 2014

 

Sunday 19 January 2014 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Metro raises more cash for growth’

Metro Bank has raised £387.5m extra capital to help it grow. This fourth capital raise brings the total equity capital raised by the bank to £641m. Vernon W Hill, founder and chairman of the bank, said: “The revolution in British banking continues, with strong investor support from existing and new investors, who believe in the Metro Bank growth model.”

Recalls soar after food scares

The number of UK recalls of dangerous or faulty goods has risen after the horse-meat scandal and other food recalls, says the City law firm RPC. It said 272 product recalls were made in 2013, up from 260 in 2012. RPC said: “Many retailers conducted reviews of food safety standards after the [horsemeat] scandal, with some carrying out precautionary recalls.”

What the Sunday papers said

‘Disadvantaged’ could build HS2

The physically disabled, the unemployable and former prisoners should build the £42.6bn High Speed 2 railway, according to a lobbying group. Jim Steer, chief executive of the High Speed Rail Industry Leaders Group, said that France had used nearly 1,000 disadvantaged people to build the Rhine-Rhône line.

Independent on Sunday

Barclays move to affect small firms

Businesses are set to be hit with unexpected charges when Barclays moves them to its recently launched small-business current account. Some 250,000 small firms which do not pay for their current-account banking may need to pay in future. The first group of firms to be switched will be informed in writing next week.

Mail on Sunday

Tesco eyes new Mothercare bid

Tesco could be eyeing up a surprise bid for struggling Mothercare. The supermarket chain first looked at a takeover last summer, but put the plan on hold. With Mothercare’s share price collapsing after poor Christmas trading Tesco could be about to rekindle its interest. Both declined to comment.

Sunday Times

House prices in South ‘absurd’

Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal & General, said the Government’s Help to Buy scheme risked stoking a price bubble which would put homes out of the reach of all but the most affluent. Mr Wilson argued that house prices in London and the South-east had reached “absurd” levels.

Sunday Telegraph

Week ahead

Soap sales restore Unilever’s shine

The weather isn’t right for ice-cream, but Ben & Jerry’s and Wall’s owner Unilever is likely to have managed to sell enough soap, soup and other household wares to keep its full-year results tomorrow from looking too icy. After a third-quarter slowdown analysts say the fourth quarter may have improved.

PZ Cussons to show rebound

The consumer goods group PZ Cussons will reveal its half-year results tomorrow. Canaccord Genuity predicts that its business in Nigeria is rebounding off an “exceptionally weak period”, and the macro environment is improving. The UK market has stabilised and “consumption patterns have improved”.

Carphone to give mixed signals

The mobile phones retailer Carphone Warehouse is expected to produce negative comparable sales growth in its third-quarter tomorrow. But Numis’s analysts forecast that management’s full-year guidance on CPW Europe earnings to come in between £140m and £160m should “remain intact”.

Royal Mail keeps on delivering

Investors will take delivery of Royal Mail’s trading update on Friday. The group’s share price has jumped by some 83 per cent since it listed last October. Analysts at Espirito Santo were happy with its news of planned price increases for corporate mail and think it will continue to perform well.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in