Business planning
Rentokil Initial, the business services group, is facing significant challenges in achieving growth in its high-margin businesses of hygiene services and pest control. The departure of Sir Clive Thompson as non-executive chairman has raised questions about the company's short-term focus on meeting profit expectations, rather than its long-term
Business planning
The sale of part of Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) to China Netcom, a mainland China fixed-line telecoms operator, has sparked speculation and concern in the market. Richard Li, controlling shareholder of PCCW, HKT's parent company, is planning to sell at least part of HKT to China Netcom, in
Business planning
Levi Strauss, a privately-owned company, is exploring the sale of Dockers, one of the world's largest casual clothing brands, to ease its debt burden and focus on its Levi's jeans brands. The company has hired Citigroup to find a buyer for the brand, which generates worldwide
Business planning
Ebookers, the online travel group, reported a significant increase in sales growth, driven by high-margin products such as car rental and package holidays. Non-flight sales, which yield higher margins than air-ticket sales, accounted for 40% of revenues in the first quarter, up from 29% a year ago. The company'
Business planning
Tullow Oil, an Irish exploration and production company, has secured funds to finance the acquisition of Energy Africa and an associated joint venture for a total of Pounds 320m. The funding includes the issuance of new shares worth about Pounds 123m and a Dollars 300m (Pounds 178m) loan. The acquisition
Business planning
Anders Moberg, Ahold's 54-year-old chief executive, has spoken for the first time in detail about the events leading up to his joining the company in March 2003, just hours after the discovery of a Euros 1bn accounting scandal. The scandal, which had been built on fraudulent foundations, had
Financial services
CSL Limited, a leading global biotherapeutics company, has announced the completion of its acquisition of Aventis Behring, a global plasma therapeutics business from Aventis SA. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for CSL, positioning it as a world leader in plasma therapeutics. The new business entity, ZLB Behring, will combine
Financial services
Princeton eCom Corporation, a leading application service provider of Integrated Payment Solutions, has announced a significant funding round of $10.3 million, led by Conning Capital Partners, a private equity firm. The investment is expected to support the company's growth and further enhance its ability to provide reliable
Business planning
BG Group, a UK-based oil and natural gas exploration company, has experienced rapid growth over the past few years, surpassing its larger rivals. Its upstream business has expanded by 15% annually since its demerger from British Gas in 2000, with earnings growth averaging 21% per year. This impressive performance has
Corporate finance
South Korean creditors of Ssangyong Motor have requested China National Blue Star Group to revise its final offer for the country's fourth-largest carmaker, citing concerns over price and other sales terms. Despite the Chinese company's willingness to pay between $600m and $700m for the acquisition, creditors
Business planning
Lego, the Danish family-owned toymaker, has announced a comprehensive restructuring program aimed at shedding jobs, cutting costs, and divesting non-core operations in a bid to return to profitability. The move comes after the company posted a record pre-tax loss of DKr1.4bn (Dollars 230m) in 2003 and has seen-sawed in
Corporate finance
Dawson International, a Scottish cashmere company, has sold its prized Ballantyne brand to Italian investors for £14.5m. The luxury knitwear brand, which includes its Scottish factory and international distributorships, will be bought by a group of Italian entrepreneurs led by Alfredo Canessa, Ballantyne's chairman. This sale marks
