Office Of National Statistics

Asda Vows to Continue to Drive Down Prices as Sales Slow

Asda, the U.K. supermarket chain owned by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said it will continue to reduce prices on basic food products such as bread, milk and eggs to lure cash-starved shoppers away from discount rivals.

Older and Wiser Holiday Workers Find Temping Ain’t Easy:

Wielding a hand-held scanner in the cramped stockroom of a John Lewis department store in East London, artist Neil Maclennan sorts through boxes and explains why he’d like to keep working with the company after his temporary holiday contract expires at the end of December.

U.K.’s ONS May Start Charging to Counter Budget Cut, Times Says

The U.K.’s Office of National Statistics may start charging for data after the government cut its budget as part of the deficit-reduction plan, the London- based Times reported.

Chavez Cancer Imperils $7 Billion Caribbean Oil Funding

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s battle with cancer threatens $7 billion of subsidized oil exports that help prop up Cuba’s economy and contain inflation in Caribbean nations from Jamaica to the Bahamas.

Plunge in Goods Orders May Restrain U.S. Expansion: Economy

Demand for U.S. durable goods other than transportation equipment unexpectedly dropped in August for a third consecutive month, signaling that slowdowns in business investment and exports will restrain the economic expansion.

London Shrinks Faster Than Any Financial Center as Banks Come Under Attack

London’s Square Mile is shrinking faster than any financial center in the world.

Pound Heads for Weekly Decline Versus Dollar on Investor Risk Aversion

The pound posted its fourth straight week of declines against the dollar as concern over public finances in Britain and nations across Europe prompted investors to seek safer assets.

U.K. Second Quarter GDP by Category of Income

Following is a breakdown of gross domestic product by category of income for the second quarter from the Office of National Statistics in London:

Double Dip Beckons for English Patient: David G. Blanchflower

The patient looks comatose. Life support must remain switched on until health is restored.

Next Lifts Profit Target as First-Half Sales Beat Estimates

Next Plc, the U.K.’s second-largest clothing retailer, increased its annual profit forecast after reporting first-half sales that rose more than analysts estimated, driven by a surge in online and catalog sales.

London

Europe

George Osborne

New York

Buffett Tells Coke CEO Study Failure, Avoid Complacency

Deutsche Telekom Secures U.S. Position With MetroPCS Deal

Most U.S. Stocks Rise as Investors Weigh Earnings Reports

Ford Boosts Investments to Keep Pickup-Led Profits Coming

AT&T Plummets as Sales Miss Estimates on Verizon Competition