London midday: GDP figures no comfort
26th Jan 2010 12:03
News that the UK economy limped out of recession in the fourth quarter has failed to cheer equities, which remain more concerned about China and the possibility its government will slam the economic brakes on. The UK economy grew just 0.1% in the fourth quarter, far less than expected. Economists h
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips struggle
26th Jan 2010 08:49
Footsie has fallen again in early dealing with miners again under pressure on worries about overheating in China and the possibility its government will slam the economic brakes on. The big mining names are all lower this morning. Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Lonmin are the worst affected, but fal
Read moreCharacter to launch Michael Jackson dolls
26th Jan 2010 07:42
In one of the year’s more off the wall announcements toy maker Character Group has said it is to launch a collection of official Michael Jackson dolls later this year. Two figures based on the singer, who died in controversial circumstances in June 2009, will be launched in August with another two
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Wetherspoon, Soco, Character
21st Jan 2010 06:01
The economic backdrop remains tough but Wetherspoon's value-for-money offer and unmatched retail skills will ensure that it is among the winners. At 463p, or 13 times earnings, hold on for recovery, advises the Times. The Independent agrees and says the shares are too pricey to recommend buying more
Read moreIt's all Go-Go at Character
20th Jan 2010 07:54
Changes to the product line at Character Group have paid off for the toys and giftware distributor, and the board is looking forward to a ‘significant turnaround in profit before tax’ at the half year stage. Sales in the four months since the end of August 2009 have been 1.2% higher than the compa
Read moreCharacter says popular Go Go Hamster is safe
7th Dec 2009 15:12
Character Group, the UK distributor of Go Go Pets, has insisted that this year's must have Christmas toy is safe. The firm behind the £9.99 battery-powered pets said the toys fully comply with the 'extremely stringent safety and quality standards and regulations' imposed by the European authorities
Read moreCharacter returns to profit in second half
1st Dec 2009 08:10
Toy maker Character Group said it returned to profitability in the second half of the year and re-introduced its dividend payment. Overall, the group still made a full-year pre-tax loss of £2.17m compared to a profit of £5.14m for the previous year. Sales in the year amounted to £68.6m, down 16.6%
Read moreHottest toys won't break the bank this Christmas
30th Oct 2009 13:12
Parents won't have to win the lottery to pay for their children's Christmas presents this year as toymakers flood the shelves with affordable games and gizmos. The Toy Retailers Association (TRA) this week revealed the toys it thinks most kids want to find in their stocking Christmas morning. It s
Read more'Hot' Christmas toys go easy on the pocket
28th Oct 2009 14:00
We may be stuck in the longest recession on record, but there's little chance the children will notice this Christmas as toys costing under £50 prepare to dominate the best-seller lists. The Toy Retailers Association (TRA) today revealed the toys it thinks most kids want to find in their Christmas
Read moreMan non-exec builds holdings
10th Jul 2009 17:17
Dugald Eadie, non-executive director at fund manager Man Group, has acquired nearly £100,000 worth of shares in the firm Eadie bought 40,000 shares at a price of 241.75p per share, taking his stake to 360,000. Yesterday, the fund manager reported a slight dip in assets under management in the firs
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