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Investec posts "strong" H1 operating results, AUM rises

Investec Plc, the specialist bank and wealth manager, posted a "strong" operational performance in the first half, with five of its six core businesses recording a substantial increase in earnings. Third party assets under management grew 4.9 percent to 77.8 billion pounds.

Ireland inching closer to bailout package

Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen and Minister of Finance Brian Lenihan
Ireland is “inching closer” to some kind of bailout package from the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Jan Randolph, director of sovereign risk at HIS Global Insight in London.

Royal prenup in the air?

Royal Wedding
Britain's Prince William and his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton ended speculations about their future by announcing their engagement on Tuesday but triggered a new speculation over whether the couple will opt for a prenuptial agreement.
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Experian reports 'strong' H1, lifts dividend ; shares up

British credit information group Experian Plc said its benchmark pretax profit grew 12 percent in the first half as it reported its best organic revenue growth in four years. The company lifted its first interim dividend by 29 percent to 9 cents.
A broker trades sterling swaps at ICAP in London

ICAP posts 'good' interim results

ICAP Plc, the world’s largest broker of transactions between banks, reported good revenue and earnings growth for the first half despite quieter markets, mainly driven by its strong electronic broking franchise.
You're paycheck won't get their on time...

Lawmakers seek enhanced security for air cargo

According to government figures, in 2008, merchandise shipped into the U.S. by airplane accounted for 20 percent of the nation’s imports, with a value of $417 billion. That’s a great deal of items and only one, or two, would have to explode to have, through terror, a crippling effect upon the nation’s economy, to say nothing of the nation’s spirit.
U.S. President Barack Obama (left), South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (center), and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper sit during an awards presentation for small and medium sized businesses after the end of meetings at the G20 Seoul Summit on Nove

How to interpret G20?

How much was accomplished at the just-concluded G20 summit in Seoul, South Korea likely depends upon whom you are asking. While some observers feel the summit cannot really do anything to address the fundamental differences between diametrically opposed economies (see: U.S. vs. China), others feel that progress of any such summit has to be measured in slow, patient doses.
A Barclays Bank branch is seen in central London

Why is it good to pay bankers more bonuses?

Taking home less in benefits was the fitting catharsis for the bankers whose hubris was a generous sanctioning of risky loans, it was agreed. And it made everyone, except the bankers, happy. But the there is a twist in the tale.
Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is escorted by members of a special police unit after a hearing at a criminal court in Bangkok October 5, 2010.

‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout extradited to US

Storied Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who faces trial in the U.S. for plotting to kill Americans by making weapons available to terror outfits, was extradited to the U.S. on Tuesday, almost three months after a Thai court overturned his plea contesting an earlier extradition verdict.
Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines plans expansion in India

Turkish Airlines is mulling over starting flights from destinations in South India, Levent Bilman, Turkish Ambassador to India, told ENS, adding that this would connect Indian travelers to 93 places across Europe.
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UK Oct. inflation rises to 3.2%

Inflation in the U.K. rose during October, mainly pushed by fuel and lubricant prices, a report by the U.K. Office for National Statistics.
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Rexam sees H2 results similar to H1

Beer can manufacturer Rexam Plc said trading for the period since July 1 has been in line with its expectations, and it expects second half results to be similar to those of the first.
A Persimmon banner flies at a housing development near Manchester

Persimmon confirms in-line trading

British housebuilder Persimmon Plc confirmed that current trading in line with expectations, and it still expects sales revenue to rise about 10 percent this year.
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Majestic Wine interim profits up 20 pct; lifts dividend

Majestic Wine Plc, UK's largest wine warehouse chain, reported a 20 percent rise in first-half pretax profit as sales rose on substantial increase in active customers, and the company lifted its interim dividend by 17.9 percent to 3.3 pence.

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