Graham Jones

Unilever Wagers Billions on India Economic Revival

In 1888, when Queen Victoria ruled India, the company that would become Unilever decided the country was the future. More than a century on, it’s staking $5.4 billion that it still is.

Unilever Reports Slowest Quarterly Sales Growth in Two Years

Unilever, the world’s second- biggest consumer-goods company, reported the slowest quarterly growth in two years as demand in Europe was held back by weaker consumer confidence and sales of ice cream and spreads faltered.

Devro Falls 6.7% in Six Days on Raw Material Costs: London Mover

Devro Plc fell 6.7 percent in six days, trailing a 1.3 percent gain in the FTSE 250 Index, on concern that earnings at Britain’s biggest maker of collagen sausage casings won’t improve much as raw material costs rise.

Reckitt Benckiser Profit Edges Higher Amid European Slowdown

Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, the maker of French’s mustard and Nurofen painkillers, reported a 2 percent gain in first-half profit as deteriorating business in southern Europe largely eclipsed growth in emerging markets.

Primark Seeks Europe Conquest With Recession-Chic Styles: Retail

Primark’s newest store in Berlin has been open for less than an hour and already a mannequin’s right hand dangles by a cord, knocked loose in a shopper’s vain struggle to remove its 7-euro ($8.58) denim shorts.

AB Foods Hails ‘Outstanding’ Primark as Chain’s Sales Jump

Associated British Foods Plc said an “outstanding” performance from the Primark budget-clothing chain drove business ahead of its expectations in the financial year to date, boosting the shares the most in 18 months.

Archbishop Says Church Lost Credibility on Women Bishops

The Church of England has lost credibility and has “a lot of explaining to do” after rejecting women bishops yesterday, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said.

Simon Property May End Interest in Buying U.K. Mall Owner Capital Shopping

Simon Property Group Inc. , the largest U.S. mall owner, will end its interest in buying Capital Shopping Centres Group Plc if the U.K. company doesn’t provide information necessary to evaluate a bid. Capital Shopping fell as much as 4.7 percent in London trading.

Greencore Falls After Horse DNA Found in Sauce: London Mover

Greencore Group Plc shares fell the most in 14 months after the Irish company said it supplied beef bolognese sauce that Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s Asda chain withdrew after traces of horse DNA were found.

AB Foods Revenue Advances on Primark, Rise in Sugar Prices

Associated British Foods Plc, the U.K. sugar producer that owns Primark clothing stores, said revenue gained 13 percent in its fiscal third quarter on higher retail sales and rising sugar prices in Europe.

"We wish Unilever had done this deal sooner, because the share price has been a strong performer, but in our view it makes a lot of sense both strategically and financially."

- Graham Jones on May 01, 2013

London

Europe

England

Asian Stocks Benchmark Index Swings; Australia Banks Drop

Bridge Collapse in Washington State Sends Cars Into River

Japan Stocks Close Higher After ‘Roller Coaster’ Session

Kuroda Struggles With Communication as Japan Rates Rise: Economy

Japan $314 Billion Rout Tests Topix Bulls Who Pushed Gain