UK Financial News on 2012-08-31

Jump in number of bank complaints
Complaints made about British banks - including ones related to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance - soar, new figures show......

House prices in 'surprising' jump
UK house prices jumped by a "surprising" 1.3% in August, according to the Nationwide building society......

US Fed hints at further measures
The head of the US central bank, Ben Bernanke, says that he has not ruled out further action to boost the US economy......

UK 'needs infrastructure boost'
The British Chambers of Commerce calls for more government spending on infrastructure as it forecasts a 0.4% shrinkage of GDP in 2012......

Eurozone unemployment at new high
Unemployment across the 17-nation eurozone hit a record 18 million in July, the EU statistics agency says......

Spain creates 'bad bank' for debt
The Spanish government is creating a "bad bank" into which all the toxic property assets of its debt-laden banking sector can be off-loaded......

ECB eyes bank supervision boost
The European Central Bank would have sweeping powers to regulate all eurozone banks, under new European Commission proposals......

Abramovich wins UK court battle
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wins a 3bn breach of trust and contract case brought by exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky at London court......

Tokyo court gives win to Samsung
A court in Tokyo rules that Samsung Electronics did not infringe on patents held by Apple, a victory for the South Korean company......

Lego Friends series lifts profits
Danish toy maker Lego says profits jumped in the first half of the year, despite a controversy surrounding its new Lego Friends line-up for girls......

Redrow chairman in buy-out bid
Housebuilder Redrow receives a 560m takeover approach, involving the company's chairman and founder, Steve Morgan......

Bank outlines compensation plan
Ulster Bank announces details of a compensation scheme for customers who were affected by a major computer failure over the summer......

Lufthansa cabin crew action ends
The union representing cabin staff at the German airline Lufthansa have held a day of strike action at Frankfurt airport......

Sharp downgraded to 'junk' status
Sharp, the struggling Japanese consumer electronics giant, has its credit rating cut to "junk" status by ratings agency Standard & Poor's......

World food prices up 10% in July
The World Bank warns that a "historic" jump in the cost of key food crops, such as wheat and corn, will increase pressure on the world's poorest......

Profits rise at gaming firm Bwin
Internet betting firm Bwin.party Digital Entertainment reports a rise in half-year profits on strong demand for its sports betting and casino products......

Graham Norton sells So TV to ITV
Graham Norton's production company, So Television is bought by ITV in a deal that could be worth up to 17m......

Recession 'drives invention boom'
Survey data suggest that UK inventors and inventions are on the rise in response to recent economic woes......

Mortgage approvals still subdued
The number of mortgages approved for home buyers rose in July, the Bank of England says, but lending levels remain restricted......

FSA's new guide to advice charges
A guide to how consumers will soon be charged for independent financial advice has been published by the Financial Services Authority.....

India growth better than forecast
India's economy grew faster than expected in the April to June quarter, easing some fears about a sharp slowdown in Asia's third-largest economy......

Germany retail sales fall in July
German retail sales fell in July, as shoppers reined in their spending after being hit by rising fuel prices......

Valencia ups Spain bailout plea
Valencia asks for a bailout of 4.5bn euros (3.6bn; $5.6bn) - more than previously indicated - from Spain's central government......

Second energy firm hit by virus
Computer systems at energy firm RasGas have been taken offline by a computer virus only days after a similar attack on oil giant Aramco......

Vivendi set to cut jobs and costs
French media and telecoms giant Vivendi says it will cut costs including jobs as it reports a drop in second-quarter profits......

HMV boss to head Trinity Mirror
Simon Fox, the departing head of music retailer HMV, is appointed chief executive of newspaper group Trinity Mirror......

Premier League transfers hit 380m
Gross spending by Premier League clubs on players is matching the levels seen in the transfer window a year ago, says Deloitte......

JJB Sports seeking rescue buyer
Struggling sportswear chain JJB Sports puts itself up for sale after it fails to raise new funds to help revamp its stores......

VIDEO: Berezovsky loses Abramovich claim
Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has won a legal battle against exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky......

VIDEO: Lego Friends 'not stereotypical'
Lego's profits have jumped in the first half of the year helped by strong sales of its Lego Friends sets, despite controversy surrounding the product......

VIDEO: Ulster Bank outlines compensation
The Ulster Bank has announced details of a compensation scheme for customers who were affected by a major computer failure over the summer......

VIDEO: Romney vows to rescue US economy
The Republican candidate for the US presidential election, Mitt Romney, has vowed to rescue the US economy......

VIDEO: UK 'needs infrastructure boost'
The British Chambers of Commerce has called for a government infrastructure spending programme as it predicted that UK GDP would shrink by 0.4% in 2012......

VIDEO: Union praises staff over Lufthansa strike
Lufthansa cabin crew have taken strike action over a 5% pay claim......

VIDEO: Japan's output suffers 'alarming' fall
Japan's industrial output unexpectedly dropped in July as a slowdown in global demand hurt exports......

VIDEO: Barclays names new chief executive
Barclays has appointed Antony Jenkins to be its new chief executive......

Criminalising squatting raises homeless fears
Pressure groups say the homeless are penalised unfairly.....

High Street follow my leader
Harnessing data to fight the big digital retailers.....

Tokyo braced for higher power costs
Tokyo firms and households face higher electricity costs.....

Justifying Apple's $1bn verdict
Apple/Samsung trial jury foreman speaks out.....

Expect September Fed action - experts
Aug 31 - Fed watchers say Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernankes Friday speech describing unemployment as a grave concern is a hint new stimulus will be announced as early as September. Conway G. Gittens reports......

Bar is higher for more Fed action: Fmr. White House adviser
Aug 31 - The economy has to get much worse before Ben Bernanke and the Fed decide to act, according to Edward Lazear, former White House economic adviser......

U.S. Week Ahead: Jobs report shouldn't derail stimulus talk
Aug 31 - Former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Alan Blinder on what it will take for the August jobs report to put an end to talk of QE3 from the Fed. Plus, Amazon's latest announcement and taxing results......

Fed support now likely at next meeting: Fmr. Fed official
Aug 31 - Ben Bernanke and the Fed could inject more cash into the recovery at the September meeting depending on the jobs report according to Alan Blinder, former Vice-Chair of the Federal Reserve Board......

Bankia to get cash injection
Aug 31 - Spain's government is setting up a so-called bad bank to isolate tens of billions of euros in bad loans, while nationalised lender, Bankia's first half losses were cause for instant European aid. Joanne Nicholson reports.....

Trading at Noon: Stocks, euro, oil, gold get Bernanke bump
Aug 31 - The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose over 1 percent after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled the central bank stood ready to bolster the economy if needed......

Abramovich scores in court
Aug 31 - Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich won a $6 billion legal battle with his former business partner Boris Berezovsky, who claimed he'd been intimidated into selling off his business for less than it was worth. Joanna Partridge report.....

Europe Week Ahead: back to business for EU leaders
Aug. 31 - As the summer lull fades into the background, Europe's leaders are coming under renewed pressure to find a way out of the debt crisis......

Lufthansa hit by cabin crew strike
Aug. 31 - Germany's largest airline suffered a setback when cabin crew walked out over pay cuts, and it's one of many problems the carrier's facing, as it tries to find a way to pay for a new fleet. Joanne Nicholson reports.....

Bernanke says Fed will act if needed, but no QE3 yet
Aug 31 - Fed Chair Ben Bernanke says the Federal Reserve will provide more help for the tepid recovery as needed in his policy speech in Jackson Hole......

Reuters Asks: Will Ben fire up the QE3 jets?
Aug. 31 - Federal Reserve Chairmain Ben Bernanke has used recent Jackson Hole speeches to pave the way for crisis-fighting measures like quantitative easing. Will he flag QE3 today?.....

3XSQ: 'Fed' up? Turn 'East'-wood
Aug 31 - Fed's Ben Bernanke preps up for the podium at Jackson Hole after Clint Eastwood's bizarre speech from Tampa on Thursday, a tough act to follow......

LEGO builds on bricks for girls
Aug. 31 - Danish toymaker Lego credits its new range, LEGO Friends, which is aimed at girls for helping them post a 24 percent rise in interim operating profits in the first half of 2012. Hayley Platt reports.....

U.S. Morning Call: Clock ticks down to Big Ben's speech
Aug 31 - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke may acknowledge the U.S. central bank is actively considering another round of monetary easing in his keynote Jackson Hole speech......

Market Pulse: Looming Sept crash? Investors don't think so
global asset allocation poll suggests fears of a market crash in September may be greatly exaggerated......

Gold-plated PC fit for a King
Aug. 31 - A French-based firm has designed the ultimate in luxury office equipment - a gold-plated computer inspired by the 16th century French King Louis XVI. Hayley Platt reports......

Breakingviews: Spanish junk pending
Breakingviews......

Time not ripe for more China easing: Rogers
Aug. 31 - China's government should not act to prop up the economy until inflation and the property bubble are "totally dead," says renowned investor Jim Rogers......

Lego for girls sales "astonishing"
Aug. 31 - The Danish building block maker Lego, says sales of its "Lego Friends" range aimed primarily at girls have been powering its growth......

Reuters Today: Waiting for Ben
Aug. 31 - Markets wait for Ben Bernanke's speech at Jackson Hole, with clues to QE3 eagerly sought, and Apple and Google could be in secret talks over a truce......

Things looking up for troubled India
Aug. 31 - Despite government gridlock and flagging growth, investors are banking on promising signs India will introduce much-needed economic reforms......

Asia Week Ahead: Clinton in China
Breakingviews strategist Wayne Arnold talks about economic data due out of Indonesia, Japan car sales figures and why the U.S. Secretary of State can't stay away from Asia......

Apple, Google in patent talks
Aug 30 - Summary of business headlines: CEOs from Apple and Google talk as mobile patent war heats up -sources; Data dims hope Bernanke will offer stimulus hint on Friday, stocks retreat; Citigroup to pay $590 million in crisis settlement; Knight tak.....

Colors paint a rosy retail season
Aug 30 - August chain store sales numbers crushed even the most upbeat forecasts as fresh fashions, like colored jeans, and the back to school season encouraged shoppers to spend. Jeanne Yurman reports......

U.S. Day Ahead: Bernanke unlikely to satisfy investors
Aug 30 - Ben Bernanke is set to keep us all guessing about if he'll inject more cash into the economy when he delivers his highly-anticipated Fed speech at Jackson Hole......

Darty 'error' on CEO pay angers investors
Darty is facing a shareholder rebellion following the embarrassing admission of an 'error' in its disclosure of its chief executive's pay.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f3632e/mf.gif' border='0.....

Ireland 'may have to cut public sector wages'
The Irish health minister warned that the Irish coalition government may be forced to cut public sector wages if spending targets under its EU bailout are to be met.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s.....

Steelmaker turns to Salty Buddy in its hour of need
As profits from steelmaking plunge, Wuhan Iron and Steel is capitalising on a thirst for its lemony soda drink, Salty Buddy.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f32412/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/&.....

Aquascutum could return to historic Regent Street home
British fashion house plans comeback just a year after leaving home since 1851.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f31fc0/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsport.....

Poundstretcher chief Richard Kirk to step down
The chief executive of discount chain Poundstretcher is to stand down after just three months in the role.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f31fc1/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><.....

Row erupts at royal wedding carpet firm
Sparks fly as row over rewards erupts at Victoria, the company which made the red carpet for last year's royal wedding.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f31fc2/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/>&l.....

Bernanke's promise of stimulus buoys US markets
US stock markets rose after Ben Bernanke signalled he would be willing to inject fresh stimulus into the US economy, even though he failed to provide the specifics some had hoped for.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/.....

GM orders 'down week' at two UK plants
Vauxhall is to cease production for a week at two of its UK factories as it responds to a fall in demand on the back of the eurozone crisis.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f2d44f/mf.gif' border=.....

Employment 'catastrophe' if euro bloc splits
Eurozone unemployment reached a record high as a United Nations agency warned of a "catastrophic" rise in the jobless count if the sovereign debt crisis worsens.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f.....

Draghi plan under threat amid EU split
Pressure is mounting on the European Central Bank to water down emergency measures to prop up Spain and Italy, after reports that the chief of Germany's Bundesbank threatened to quit in protest at the plan.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://tel.....

Eurozone deal hit by new threat
Pressure is mounting on the European Central Bank to water down emergency measures to prop up Spain and Italy, after reports that the chief of Germany's Bundesbank threatened to quit in protest at the plan.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://tel.....

Haldane offers the vision thing at Jackson Hole
There were quite a few interesting speeches at the Jackson Hole conference but Ben Bernanke's wasn't one of them.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f2b8ef/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/&.....

Blue-chips dip as traders focus on Jackson Hole
The FTSE 100 ended the day in the red following Ben Bernanke's speech.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f23cf4/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/.....

Bankia to receive immediate aid after huge loss
Spain's national bank rescue fund will inject emergency liquidity into troubled lender Bankia immediately after the bank reported losses of over 4bn in the first half of 2012.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/.....

'Sidelining' claim over Lonmin mine talks
Talks to find a solution to the strike in South Africa which led to the deaths of 34 miners are on the verge of collapse amid claims by a union that they are being "sidelined" by Lonmin.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.c.....

Total insists Shtokman Russian Arctic gas project not delayed 'indefinitely'
Total sparked confusion over plans for Russia's giant Shtokman Arctic gas field, denying the project, in which the French company has a stake, had been delayed indefinitely.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/.....

Redrow founder Steve Morgan seeks to buy housebuilder
The founder and chairman of Redrow, who also owns Wolverhampton Wanderers, has made a 152p-a-share indicative offer for the housebuilder.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f19b76/mf.gif' border='0'.....

Simplify bank regulation, Haldane says
Both banks and financial regulation need to be simplified if another crisis is to be averted, according to Andy Haldane, head of financial stability at the Bank of England.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/5.....

Debt crisis: as it happened - August 31, 2012
Hopes dwindle that US Fed chief Ben Bernanke will offer hints on stimulus in his Jackson Hole speech later as ECB Council member Ewald Nowotny says the central bank will cut eurozone growth forecasts next week.<img width='1' height='1' src='http:/.....

Markets rise on Ben Bernanke's Jackson Hole speech
US stock markets rose after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke signalled a willingness to introduce fresh stimulus even if he failed to provide the specifics some investors wanted.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/.....

Debt crisis: live
Hopes dwindle that US Fed chief Ben Bernanke will offer hints on stimulus in his Jackson Hole speech later as ECB Council member Ewald Nowotny says the central bank will cut eurozone growth forecasts next week.<img width='1' height='1' src='http:/.....

Ben Bernanke 'not ready to pull the trigger' on stimulus
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke says he won't rule out more bond purchases to boost growth and increase employment as he deliver a 'no surprises' speech in US election year. Here is what analysts thought of his speech.<img width='1' height='1' src='http.....

Apple offers to relax grip on e-book sales
Apple has offered to relax its grip on the ebook market in order to fend off accusations that it colluded with publishers to fix prices and weaken rival Amazon.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22f0.....

Ben Bernanke's speech: in full
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke says he won't rule out more bond purchases to boost growth and increase employment as he deliver a 'no surprises' speech in US election year. Here is his speech in full.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feed.....

Complaints at Barclays jump nearly 80pc
Complaints by Barclays customers have soared due to a near four-fold increase related to the mis-selling of insurance products, the bank said on Friday, a pattern likely to be repeated by rivals when they report their data.<img width='1' height='1.....

UK Financial News on 2012-08-30

New chief executive at Barclays
Barclays appoints Antony Jenkins as its new chief executive following the resignation of Bob Diamond over the Libor interest rate fixing scandal......

UK economy 'to contract in 2012'
The UK economy is set to contract this year, the CBI business group predicts, as it cuts its forecasts for UK growth......

HMV boss to head Trinity Mirror
Simon Fox, the departing head of music retailer HMV, is appointed chief executive of newspaper group Trinity Mirror......

Lufthansa strike times announced
Cabin staff at German airline Lufthansa give details of the times of their strike action - it will start at 03:00 GMT on Friday at Frankfurt airport......

Valencia ups Spain bailout plea
Valencia asks for a bailout of 4.5bn euros (3.6bn; $5.6bn) - more than previously indicated - from Spain's central government......

US consumer spending rises 0.4%
US consumer spending rose by 0.4% in July, says the US Commerce Department, raising hopes the economy is continuing to recover......

JJB Sports seeking rescue buyer
Struggling sportswear chain JJB Sports puts itself up for sale after it fails to raise new funds to help revamp its stores......

China in $3.5bn deal with Airbus
China agrees to buy 50 Airbus planes worth $3.5bn (2.2bn), as part of a slew of trade deals signed by Angela Merkel at the start of a visit to China......

Vivendi set to cut jobs and costs
French media and telecoms giant Vivendi says it will cut costs including jobs as it reports a drop in second-quarter profits......

Mortgage approvals still subdued
The number of mortgages approved for home buyers rose in July, the Bank of England says, but lending levels remain restricted......

Admiral half-year profits rise 7%
Insurance group Admiral announces a better than expected 7% rise in profits for the first six months of 2012......

FSA's new guide to advice charges
A guide to how consumers will soon be charged for independent financial advice has been published by the Financial Services Authority.....

Pernod names heir as next chief
Pernod Ricard has announced that the nephew of recently deceased chief executive Patrick Ricard will take the company's helm from January 2015......

Brazil cuts interest rates again
Brazil's central bank cuts its benchmark interest rate to a record low of 7.5% in an attempt to reignite a stalled economic recovery......

WPP half-year profits rise 7%
WPP, the world's largest advertising group, reports a 7% rise in half-year profits but reduces its full-year revenue growth forecast......

Easyjet in Edinburgh jobs boost
One hundred jobs could be brought to Edinburgh after Easyjet announces plans to base two more aircraft at the capital's airport......

Philippines sees growth rate slow
The Philippines economic growth rate slowed in the second quarter as a fall in global demand hurts its exports and industrial output......

Emergency fish exit wins award
A design for illuminated rings that show undersized fish how to escape from a fishing net has won the UK Dyson engineering award......

Workless households total falls
The number of households where no adult aged 16 to 64 is in work has fallen slightly for the second year in a row, official figures show......

MPs demand action on alcohol tax
The UK's tax authorities should do more to tackle alcohol smuggling, including more prosecutions, a committee of MPs says......

Sales of top-end houses double
House prices in England and Wales have risen slightly in the past year, but demand for 1m-plus properties has grown sharply, figures show......

US expands more than estimated
The US economy grew at an annualised pace of 1.7% in the second quarter, more than first estimated, official figures show......

Heathrow capacity 'harms' economy
MPs say the restriction of capacity at Heathrow is harming the UK's economy......

Brazil public sector strike off
Public workers in Brazil accept a government pay deal and call off a strike that had been causing disruption across the country......

Citigroup pays $590m settlement
US banking giant Citigroup has paid more than half a billion dollars to shareholders who accused the bank of hiding its subprime exposure......

'Raid' on Motorola trade secrets
A former Motorola employee is sentenced to four years in prison for stealing trade secrets worth millions of dollars......

Packaging firm increases profits
Glasgow packaging firm Macfarlane reports a 65% increase in its half-year pre-tax profits although sales remain flat......

Saints record 12 years of profit
Northampton Saints announce a 12th consecutive year of profit, recording over 600,000, up to 31 May 2012......

Transfer spending breaks 4bn
Premier League clubs have spent more than 4.4bn on players since the transfer window was introduced in England 10 years ago......

Malawi withdraws from Paralympics
Malawi withdraws from the 2012 Paralympics in London citing a lack of funding......

VIDEO: China 'worried about eurozone crisis'
The BBC's Martin Patience reports after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called on struggling European nations to get their finances in order......

VIDEO: Rise in mortgage approvals
The number of mortgages approved for home buyers, but not yet lent, rose in July, the Bank of England said......

VIDEO: Inside a digital car showroom
Spencer Kelly takes a look inside a fully digital and almost completely virtual car showroom in the heart of London......

VIDEO: UK economy 'to contract in 2012'
The UK economy is set to contract this year, according to the Confederation of British Industry......

VIDEO: Barclays names new chief executive
Barclays has appointed Antony Jenkins to be its new chief executive......

VIDEO: 'We misjudged mood over exec pay'
Earlier in the year WPP shareholders voted against the company's executive pay report, which included a 6.8m deal for chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell......

AUDIO: Spanish bank run 'exaggerated'
There are signs that investors are already worrying about Spain leaving the euro, as banks there are seeing money leave in large quantities. Pedro Schwartz, economics professor at San Pablo University in Madrid, gives his assessment on the risk of a .....

VIDEO: Clegg: 'Rich should pay more tax'
Nick Clegg has suggested the UK's wealthiest people could be asked to pay more tax for a limited period......

From prison to profit
How businessman Duane Jackson turned his life around.....

Tokyo braced for higher power costs
Tokyo firms and households face higher electricty costs.....

Chinese factories turn to Bangladesh
China factories turn to Bangladesh as labour costs rise.....

Viewpoint: Would a wealth tax work?
The practical problems of introducing a wealth tax.....

U.S. Day Ahead: Bernanke unlikely to satisfy investors
Aug 30 - Ben Bernanke is set to keep us all guessing about if he'll inject more cash into the economy when he delivers his highly-anticipated Fed speech at Jackson Hole......

The three biggest U.S. retail surprises
' Jharonne Martis on the three biggest standouts from the better-than-expected retail sales numbers. Also find out what the next quarter holds for the major chain stores......

The Exchange: GOP pop quiz
Rob Cox polls some Republican pols about their views on Bernanke, taxes, China and Dodd-Frank......

Trading at Noon: Carlyle Group on acquisition tear
Aug 30 - Private equity firm Carlyle Group has purchased DuPont's car paint business, the latest of many recent deal announcements......

E-fabric to electrify soldiers in the field
Aug. 30 - Clothing containing electrically conductive thread may soon lighten the load of British soldiers in the field. The clothing is designed to charge computers, GPS, radios and other equipment required by soldiers, allowing them to leave their .....

Europe Day Ahead: Investors eye action on growth
Aug. 30 - Hopes are fading for another round of quantitative easing from the U.S. Federal Reserve, but ECB President Mario Draghi is set to flesh out his plans for buying bonds......

New Barclays boss is no hard diamond
Aug 30 - Britain's Barclays has chosen the head of its retail and business banking unit Antony Jenkins as its new CEO, taking over from Bob Diamond. Jenkins faces a tough challenge at the outset, as British fraud prosecutors said they were launching .....

3XSQ: Retailers crush sales estimates by nearly double
Aug 30 - Chain stores from the low end to the high end exceeded their same-store sales forecasts for August, with Nordstrom beating sales estimates by 10 percent......

Saft Says: Yuan now China's problem too
columnist James Saft says the weakening yuan has become a problem for for China as it braces for a bumpy economic landing......

Sports Spread: Young guns vs new signings
Aug. 30 - Liverpool's young guns take on Arsenal's new signings in the weekend's big Premier League game, while Manchester United and Manchester City face opposition from the foot of the table......

U.S. Morning Call: Barclays boasts new boss
Aug 30 - Britain's Barclays has picked softly spoken retail boss Anthony Jenkins as its new chief executive after Bob Diamond's shameful exit following a rate-rigging scandal......

Ad giant WPP plans move back to UK
Aug. 30 - Despite posting a slowdown in growth in the U.S, WPP says it's business in China is booming, and plans to move back to the U.K will please the country's treasury. ROUGH CUT- NO REPORTER NARRATION.....

Market Pulse: Italy passes bond market test
Aug. 30 - Italy passes a key bond market test with a successful sale of 10-year debt as China says it will keep lending to the euro zone despite worries in Beijing......

In the Boardroom: Director Contagion
Aug. 30 - When a company's name gets tarnished, should executives give up their positions on other boards to prevent reputation loss spreading? Lucy Marcus talks with Axel Threlfall......

Breakingviews: Barclays' new chief
Breakingviews......

The secrets of Germany's labour market resilience
Aug. 30 - Stefan Schneider, Chief International Economist at Deutsche Bank, discusses why the German labour market has managed to stay robust in the face of weakening global trade and economic data......

Breakingviews: Merkel's quest to get Beijing on board
Breakingviews talks about the real purpose behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to China......

China tourist surge pressures Asia's financial powerhouse
Aug. 30 - A swell in mainland China arrivals is forcing Hong Kong to rethink its overburdened infrastructure or risk losing its global prestige......

Reuters Today: China backs euro zone, Italy debt sale looms
Aug. 30 - China says it will keep buying euro zone debt, but Premier Wen Jiabao says Spain and Italy must push harder on reform. An Italian bond sale later will test sentiment on the region......

WPP CEO Sorrell on nudged-down outlook
after the world's largest advertising group revised down its full-year outlook when publishing Q2 results......

Moscow car show's new class of driver
Aug. 30 - Global auto makers flock to this year's Moscow car show keen to attract Russia's growing middle classes who are hungry for the latest foreign models. Hayley Platt reports.....

Economic engine still humming: Fed
Aug. 29 - Summary of business headlines: Economy sees modest late-summer growth after slightly stronger April to June quarter; Pending home sales add to housing optimism; Yelp shares helped by lock-up expiration; Stocks creep higher, oil slips. Conwa.....

Bernanke's "Goldilocks" dilemma
Aug. 29 - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke faces a problem: the economy is not so weak that QE3 is an easy policy move, but not strong enough to take QE3 off the table, leaving investors guessing what he will say at the annual retreat this Frida.....

U.S. Day Ahead: Why jobless claims matter
Aug 29 - Investors, digging in before Bernanke's big speech on Friday, should focus on initial jobless claims for clues about what the critical jobs report will look like in August......

Bio-retina could be boon for the blind
Aug. 29 - An Israeli company has developed an artificial retina to restore sight to millions blinded by retinal disease. Called Bio-Retina, the implant mimics the function of the natural retina when age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diseases .....

Good News Britain: Hays working in 'multi-speed world'
Recruiter Hays said it is working in a "multi-speed world" where growth in some countries and sectors is offsetting decline in others.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e93d84/mf.gif' border='0'/&g.....

Jenkins needs to deliver change at Barclays within three years at most
Welcome to the mad house Mr Jenkins. Becoming chief executive of Barclays, or indeed any bank, can't be the most appealing appointment.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e93515/mf.gif' border='0'/&.....

Financial crisis: the printing press has reached its limits
Central bankers are powerless to do more than avert disaster, says Jeremy Warner<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e8d653/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedspor.....

China's fears grow over eurozone crisis
China has expressed deep alarm at the escalating crisis in Europe and warned against austerity overkill as Europe's crumbling demand sends shock waves through Asia.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/.....

Sorrell plans WPP move back to "Planet No-Growth" Britain
WPP to move headquarters back to UK after Coalition changed tax laws, as the global advertising group warned of slower growth rates amid ongoing debt crisis.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e8bb4.....

HMV's Simon Fox heads to Trinity Mirror Group
Trinity Mirror Group has appointed Simon Fox, the outgoing boss of music retailer HMV, as its new chief executive.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e8bb49/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/.....

Foreign investors look inland for new opportunities
The last time foreign companies cut their investment in China, the world was reeling from the financial crisis.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e8bb4a/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/>.....

Graham Norton sells company to ITV
Graham Norton has sold his television production company to ITV, handing the chat show up to 7.7m and paving the way for him to quit the BBC for its commercial rival.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/.....

Cape pushed higher by relieved investors
The FTSE 250 company surged despite a fall in the wider market.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e83c96/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1392655.....

Italian airline blames Ryanair for axing flights
A loss-making Italian airline has become embroiled in a war of words with Ryanair after blaming "unfair competition" from the Irish carrier for its decision to axe two local flights to Bari.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsport.....

Debt crisis: as it happened - August 30, 2012
China may be willing to buy-up more European debt to support the struggling region, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said on Thursday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Beijing for talks.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph......

Credit card lending falls at sharpest rate since 2006
Credit card lending fell at its sharpest rate in six years in July, according to the Bank of England, dampening hopes that consumers might help lead the country out of recession.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/327.....

JJB Sports up for sale
The future of JJB Sports and its 4,000 staff hangs in the balance after the sports retailer put itself up for sale in a desperate attempt to plug a funding gap.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e8.....

City Diary: Time for some magic as Simon Fox joins Trinity
Simon Fox may know something we don't as he jumps out of the frying pan and into the fire, joining Trinity Mirror Group as chief executive from HMV.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e81be0/mf.gif'.....

Admiral shares fall due to car insurance growth fears
Shares in Admiral, the owner of Confused.com, came under pressure as fears over slowing growth in its key UK car insurance arm overshadowed an eighth consecutive year of record profits.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.co.....

Antony Jenkins: the retail banker with the biggest job in banking
Antony Jenkins made his name in the competitve world of US retail banking.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e7c9d4/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.co.....

Barclays boss has big job on his hands
Antony Jenkins has one of the toughest jobs in banking sorting out the problems facing Barclays.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e7c9d9/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="ht.....

Debt crisis: live
China may be willing to buy-up more European debt to support the struggling region, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said on Thursday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Beijing for talks.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph......

New Barclays boss pledges to deal with scandals
Antony Jenkins has said his priority will be to deal "expeditiously" with scandals that have hit Barclays in recent months.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e7c9df/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....

Good News Britain: How British recruiters have exported their skills around the world
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Certainly every British business has had to become pretty inventive over the past five years, as we have been battered by the triple effects of the credit crunch and not one but two recessions.<i.....

France says ECB debt buying would be justified
High borrowing costs for some European countries compared with Germany's may justify market intervention by the European Central Bank, Francois Hollande said on Thursday.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568.....

Qataris will not support 'Glenstrata' deal
Glencore-Xstrata mega-merger left hanging in the balance after Qatar Holding, the second-largest shareholder in Xstrata, confirmed it plans to vote against the deal.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s.....

'Glenstrata' deal unlikely as Qataris will not support it
Qatari soverign wealth fund confirms it will not vote for Xstrata-Glencore merger<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e74077/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedspo.....

'Glenstrata' deal unlikely as Qataris will not support it
Qatari soverign wealth fund confirms it will not vote for Xstrata-Glencore merger<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e6f079/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedspo.....

Sears to drop out of S&P 500
US department store was one of the original members of the index.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22e68ef4/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/13926.....

UK Financial News on 2012-08-29

Barclays faces SFO investigation
Barclays confirms it is facing a probe from the Serious Fraud Office over some payments between the UK bank and Qatar......

US expands more than estimated
The US economy grew at an annualised pace of 1.7% in the second quarter, more than first estimated, official figures show......

Probe into Ryanair Aer Lingus bid
Budget airline Ryanair's latest attempt to take over its Irish rival Aer Lingus is to be investigated by the European Commission......

Brazil public sector strike off
Public workers in Brazil accept a government pay deal and call off a strike that had been causing disruption across the country......

MPs demand action on alcohol tax
The UK's tax authorities should do more to tackle alcohol smuggling, including more prosecutions, a committee of MPs says......

Date set over Samsung 'phone ban'
Apple's legal motion to have some Samsung mobile phones banned in the US will now be heard in court in December, a judge says......

Osborne downplays 'rich tax' call
Chancellor George Osborne warns against "driving away" the UK's "wealth creators", after Deputy PM Nick Clegg calls for a temporary additional tax on the rich......

Workless households total falls
The number of households where no adult aged 16 to 64 is in work has fallen slightly for the second year in a row, official figures show......

Amazon launches daily deals in UK
Retailer Amazon launches its own daily deal website in the UK, putting it in competiton with the likes of Groupon......

Australia joins EU carbon market
Australia plans to link its carbon trading scheme with Europe's, enabling Australian firms to use EU permits to emit CO2 from mid-2015......

Standard Life announces revamp
Edinburgh-based pensions and savings company Standard Life announces significant changes in its organisation......

Sales of top-end houses double
House prices in England and Wales have risen slightly in the past year, but demand for 1m-plus properties has grown sharply, figures show......

Film studio drops new homes plan
A new planning application for the expansion of Pinewood Studios will not include houses, it is confirmed......

Paddy Power profits rise further
Paddy Power reports a rise in half-year profits thanks to accelerated growth in online gaming and marketing during the Euro 2012 football tournament......

John Lewis to sell Nook e-reader
John Lewis is to sell the Nook e-reader, made by bookseller Barnes & Noble, becoming the first company outside the US to sell the device......

Claims management faces new rules
People who have been let down by claims management companies will be able to complain to the Legal Ombudsman from next year......

Used cars top list of complaints
Complaints about used cars bought from independent dealers are the most common gripe from people using the Citizens Advice helpline......

Heathrow capacity 'harms' economy
MPs say the restriction of capacity at Heathrow is harming the UK's economy......

Catalonia seeks 5bn-euro bailout
The debt-ridden Spanish region of Catalonia asks for a bailout of 5bn euros ($6.3bn; 4bn) from the central government......

Lufthansa staff to go on strike
The cabin staff at German airline Lufthansa are to go on strike, possibly as early as Thursday, as wage talks broke down this week......

Japan's Daikin in $3.7bn US deal
Japanese air-conditioner maker Daikin has agrees a deal to buy US rival Goodman Global for $3.7bn (2.2bn)......

HK regulator in China secrecy row
Hong Kong's financial market regulator is taking Ernst and Young to court, to force it to reveal information on a former China-based client......

G4S reveals 50m Olympics loss
Security firm G4S says the contract to provide security for the London 2012 Olympic Games has cost it 50m, after it failed to provide enough guards......

Dons offered new stadium sites
Aberdeen FC has received calls from private landowners offering potential sites for a new stadium, the club says......

AUDIO: Clegg 'in a bind' over tax
Nick Clegg has suggested a temporary new tax on the wealthiest to help economic recovery. George Bull, senior tax partner at Baker Tilly, gives his analysis......

VIDEO: Tax plans 'could drive wealth away'
Nick Clegg's plans for the UK's wealthiest people to pay more tax could drive wealth creators from the country, the chancellor has warned......

VIDEO: Clegg: 'Rich should pay more tax'
Nick Clegg has suggested the UK's wealthiest people could be asked to pay more tax for a limited period......

VIDEO: How vital is Heathrow to the economy?
The restriction of capacity at Heathrow is harming the UK's economic potential, a group of MPs has said......

VIDEO: Virgin 'wants answers' to bid queries
Sir Richard Branson says Virgin has started court proceedings over the rail franchise decision because it wants "major questions" answered......

VIDEO: Ryanair's Aer Lingus bid faces EU inquiry
Budget airline Ryanair's latest attempt to take over its Irish rival Aer Lingus is to be investigated by the European Commission......

AUDIO: OBR's track record 'pretty lousy'
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has been appalling, its economic forecasts a disaster which have given George Osborne "no end of trouble". So says one of the men who helped write the brief for the OBR back when it was set up......

VIDEO: Catalonia requests Madrid bailout
The debt-ridden Spanish region of Catalonia has asked for a bailout of 5bn from the central government.....

From prison to profit
How businessman Duane Jackson turned his life around.....

Chinese factories turn to Bangladesh
China factories turn to Bangladesh as labour costs rise.....

Formula E racing series is launched
Motorsport launches new series for electric racing cars.....

Viewpoint: Would a wealth tax work?
The practical problems of introducing a wealth tax.....

Apple-Samsung: Expert opinions
Views on Apple's patent victory over Samsung in the US courts.....

Facebook ads: 100,000 bill for government
Is 100,000 bill for UK government a good deal?.....

U.S. Day Ahead: Why jobless claims matter
Aug 29 - Investors, digging in before Bernanke's big speech on Friday, should focus on initial jobless claims for clues about what the critical jobs report will look like in August......

Bio-retina could be boon for the blind
Aug 29 - An Israeli company has developed an artificial retina to restore sight to millions blinded by retinal disease. Called Bio-Retina, the implant mimics the function of the natural retina when age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diseases l.....

Trading at Noon: Yelp soars after lockup period ends
Aug 29 - Yelp shares surged as much as 23 percent on heavy trading volume as its lockup period came to an end, breaking the trend of internet company stocks falling after their lockups expire......

Will Spain follow Catalonia?
After Spain's wealthiest region, Catalonia, asks for a bailout the Spanish central government rebuffs speculation of a full sovereign rescue. Ivor Bennett reports.....

Merkel praises Italy's economic reforms
The round of top level meetings between key European players continued, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Italy's economic reforms during a visit from Prime Minister Mario Monti. Monti says Rome's recent debt sales have gone well, but all ey.....

Wealth Strategies: Markets may rise after GOP convention
Aug. 29 - S&P Capital IQ's Sam Stovall says stock markets tend to rise after Republican conventions, but points out this year investors will be looking for signs the parties are willing to compromise on issues......

Breakingviews: Conserve or drill?
Aug 29 - Antony Currie and Christopher Swann discuss the relative merits and shortfalls of President Obamas and Mitt Romneys ideas for cutting U.S. dependence on foreign oil......

Europe Day Ahead: Merkel in China; Italy tests bond market
Aug. 29 - German Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to China to seek support for euro zone assets, while a bond auction will test Italy's claim that markets are starting to recognise its reform efforts......

Angry Birds land in UK park
Aug. 29 - The UK's first Angry Birds activity park opens in Nottinghamshire with more planned globally by Finnish firm Rovio and theme park makers Lappset. Hayley Platt reports......

3XSQ: U.S. GDP doesn't excite as investors await Bernanke
Aug 29 - Second-quarter GDP growth expanded 1.7 percent while many are still holding out hope the Fed's Bernanke will announce more stimulus at Jackson Hole......

U.S. Morning Call: Isaac hits Louisiana, oil rigs spared
Aug 29 - Hurricane Isaac slammed into Louisiana this morning, causing some damage but missed oil platforms off the coast; U.S. GDP may have grown at a faster pace in Q2, according to a poll of economists......

Market Pulse: G7 ups ante on oil, Isaac and Ben in focus too
Aug. 29 - G7 nations are calling on the IEA to raise oil output, and threatening to tap strategic reserves if they don't get their way. Hurricane Isaac and Ben Bernanke also very much on traders' radars......

Reuters on the Road: ProFinda unlocks 'floating talent'
Aug. 29 - ProFinda founder Roger Gorman takes the taxi challenge, explaining how companies can harness dating algorithms to identify employees' hidden skills......

Reuters Breakingviews: UK rich tax talk
global commentary unit Breakingviews......

China's shine fades for equity investors
Aug. 29 - Chinese stocks have tumbled to three-year lows, and analysts say the outlook will remain grim as long as corporate governance stays weak and locals stick to the sidelines......

China's two-speed auto industry
Aug. 29 - Growth in the world's largest car market is stalling, but some local automakers are still managing to flourish by branching out overseas or focusing on niche products......

Reuters Today: The one where Monti meets Merkel
Aug. 29 - Italian PM Mario Monti meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Among his talking points: why wide spreads are a problem for Germany as well as Italy. Plus, G7 ready to act on high oil......

Dutch vote looks fateful for euro zone
Aug. 29 - The Netherlands general election on September 12 could prove fateful for the euro zone with polls showing anti-bailout, anti-austerity parties within reach of victory......

Hurricane could whipsaw gas prices
Aug 28 - Isaac, upgraded to a category one hurricane, along with a fire at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery are expected to push gas prices higher over Labor Day weekend and no relief is in sight beyond the holiday, according to analysts. Sasha Salam.....

Bulls and bears watch out for Isaac
Aug 28 - Summary of business headlines: Oil prices rise as Isaac upgraded to hurricane; Home prices rise for fifth month, but consumer confidence wanes; Apple seeks Samsung phone ban in U.S.; Stocks little changed on Wall Street but mostly down acros.....

U.S. Day Ahead: Three key numbers that could stir markets
Aug 28 - The Fed's Beige Book, updated GDP numbers and pending home sales in the morning could breathe life back into the markets as they wait for Ben Bernanke's critical Fed speech on friday......

LIGHTNING ROUND: Isaac creating a hurricane in energy prices
Aug. 28 - NYMEX trader Ira Eckstein says volatility is the name of the game in energy markets right now, and that if Hurricane Isaac doesn't do a lot of damage, prices will tumble quickly......

Spanish retail giant in trouble
Aug. 28 - Spain's most iconic retailing store El Corte Ingles shows dramatic slip in sales amid the country's economic crisis and makes efforts to adjust to new reality. Ivor Bennett reports.....

German firm keeps Paralympians running
TV visits one of the workshops and looks at what kind of a boost the Games could give to the company. Joanna Partridge reports......

Trading at Noon: Isaac shuts down Gulf Coast
Aug 28 - Tropical storm Isaac triggered refinery and oil rig shutdowns as it nears hurricane strength in the Gulf Coast's oil refining belt......

Transport Secretary 'acted unlawfully' claims Virgin
Justine Greening "acted unlawfully", "irrationally" and in contravention of EU law when she awarded the 13.3bn West Coast rail contract to FirstGroup, Virgin Rail claims.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568.....

Citigroup pays 373m to settle debt claims
Citigroup has agreed to pay $590m (373m) to investors who allege they were misled about the scale of the bank's ownership of troubled mortgage debt before the financial crisis.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726.....

Holding off will help all the players in the high stakes game of Xstrata
The failure of the 44bn merger between Glencore and Xstrata moves closer every day. If that occurs there will be quite a post mortem.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22de4ba5/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....

Tap the wealthy to create jobs
Nick Clegg's latest idea for economic recovery, more tax please, is at least predictable. No surprises and no new ideas.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22de4ba6/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/>&.....

Dark clouds gather over China's once-booming solar industry
China's push into solar energy was supposed to be a proud example of how the country was advancing into hi-tech manufacturing. But now the whole sector is on the brink of bankruptcy.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c.....

Gazprom puts giant Shtokman Russian Arctic gas project on ice over costs
Russian state-controlled gas company Gazprom has shelved plans to develop the giant Shtokman gas field in the Arctic, blaming the high costs of the flagship project.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s.....

Best to get used to high food and energy prices - they're here to stay
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity," Winston Churchill famously remarked, but "the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22ddf9e8/mf.g.....

888 bets pay off as shares climb
The online gaming group rewarded investors by reinstating its dividend.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22ddf9ea/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r.....

Rise in foreign landlords is 'crowding out first-time buyers'
An influx of foreign investors is driving a resurgence in Britain's buy-to-let market, holding house prices steady but threatening to push up rents and crowd out first-time buyers.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/3.....

Harvard professor gives Osborne's austerity programme thumbs up
Shifting the bulk of an austerity programme onto tax rises rather than spending cuts would plunge the economy into a "deep and long-lasting recession", according to research from Harvard University.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.f.....

Former Orange chief takes Manganese Bronze stake
Sanjiv Ahuja, the telecoms expert and former chief executive of Orange, has taken a major stake in Manganese Bronze, the troubled company which makes London's black cabs.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568.....

Mis-selling makes case for 'full separation'
A leading investor organisation says full separation of investment and retail banking should be considered in the wake of swap mis-selling scandal.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22ddf9ed/mf.gif' .....

Mis-selling makes case for 'full separation, says IMA
A leading investor organisation says full separation of investment and retail banking should be considered in the wake of swap mis-selling scandal.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dd9169/mf.gif' .....

SFO launches investigation into Barclays payments to Qatar
Barclays is facing a criminal investigation into payments made to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund at the time of its investment in the bank four years ago.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dd916a/mf.....

Barclays says SFO to start investigation into Qatar payments
Barlays has confirmed that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched an investigation into payments made between the UK lender and the Qatari sovereign wealth fund.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/.....

Debt crisis: Merkel and Monti clash over ESM role
Europe's politicial and economic leaders clashed over debt crisis resolutions, underscoring the sense of chaos and disunity between Brussels and key eurozone economies.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/56830.....

City Diary: Marks & Spencer's Plan A meets its match in Cheshire
To Cheshire and the opening of Marks & Spencer's swanky new store.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dd8174/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/.....

Debt crisis: as it happened - August 29, 2012
Germany's insistence on blocking the European Central Bank from acting to bring down countries' borrowing costs could be an "own goal", Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has warned.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c.....

Heineken battle to control Tiger brewer takes new twist
Heineken's battle to win control of the maker of Tiger beer has endured another twist after its Thailand rival increased its stake in the Dutch brewer's partner Fraser & Neave.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/3.....

Ryanair shelves Aer Lingus bid as European Commission opens investigation
Ryanair has been forced to shelve its 694m (549m) takeover bid for rival Irish airline Aer Lingus after the European Commission opened an investigation.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dcf680/mf......

Angela Merkel stands firm in resisting ESM bank licence
Angela Merkel clashes with Italian PM Mario Monti over idea of giving eurozone's permanent rescue fund a banking licence.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dcf1b9/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/>.....

Copper price fall weighs on Antofagasta profits
Antofagasta, the Chilean copper miner, reported a fall in first-half profits as increased production was not enough to offset falling prices.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dcf1ba/mf.gif' border.....

Debt crisis: live
Germany's insistence on blocking the European Central Bank from acting to bring down countries' borrowing costs could be an "own goal", Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has warned.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c.....

Banks pull the plug on top paying savings accounts
Savers need to act quick to secure best deposit rates, as others follow Leeds Building Society withdrawal.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dc9ac8/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><.....

Oil reserves could be tapped if prices stay above $100 a barrel
Emergency oil reserves across the world could be tapped if prices remain above $100 a barrel over the next two months, according to Treasury sources.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/22dc2148/mf.gif.....