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Coffee peps up Whitbread

Leisure giant Whitbread today said its coffee business Costa continued to thrive after a 42% jump in the division’s half-year profits.Read

BP shares rise on spill deal announcement

BP shares rose sharply today after it announced it will receive $4bn (£2.5bn) in a settlement with one of its partners at the site of last year’s Gulf of Mexico disaster.Read

G4S snaps up ISS

Security group G4S took its headcount beyond the one million mark today with the £5.2bn takeover of facilities management firm ISS.Read

Concerns over squeeze on older customers

Home shopping firm N Brown reported a rise in half-year profits today but said its customers aged 60 and above were being hit hardest by the economic squeeze.Read

MPs call for cashpoint justification

Two of Britain’s largest banks have been told by MPs to justify their restrictions on basic account customers using rivals’ cash machines.Read

Concerns over Ladbrokes deal

Ladbrokes was today facing its second major takeover blow this year after reports said a potential deal for Sportingbet may fold.Read

Banks' credit ratings slashed

Britain’s beleaguered banks and building societies were dealt another blow today after a debt agency said the decreased likelihood of Government backing made them less credit-worthy.Read

Premier Foods issues profits warning

The UK’s largest food manufacturer today issued a profits warning as it revealed a slump in sales across well-known brands including Hovis.Read

Tributes paid to Apple pioneer Jobs

Apple fans are united in sadness as they celebrate the life of Steve Jobs - who is widely acknowledged as revolutionising the world of technology and media.Read

High fuel prices hit Halfords

Soaring petrol prices left their mark on Halfords today after it revealed declining car usage had caused a further drop off in sales.Read

Builders' merchant Wolseley sees sales slump

Bathstore dragged on the UK performance of builders’ merchant Wolseley today after the retail chain posted a 15% slump in annual sales.Read

More high street gloom from fashion brand

Jacques Vert, owner of the Windsmoor ladies coat and fashion brand, added to the gloom on the high street today as it revealed sales had slowed to a halt.Read

No dividend for Thomas Cook shareholders

Thomas Cook heaped more pain on shareholders today after it revealed it will not pay a dividend until it has sorted its battered finances.Read

Airport scanner firm's profits jump

Airport scanners and bomb detection firm Smiths today posted a 12% rise in profits but warned three of its divisions were being squeezed by Government spending cuts.Read

Margins squeezed at Mitchells & Butlers

A slowdown in food sales heaped more pressure on the owner of Harvester today amid fears boardroom turmoil is impacting on its performance.Read

Game's losses increase

Computer and video games retailer Game is pinning its hopes on a decent Christmas after reporting a jump in half-year losses today.Read

Cake maker's profits rise

The maker of low-fat cake for the Weightwatchers brand today said supermarket shoppers continued to have a taste for its products despite the downturn.Read

easyJet to pay one-off dividend

Budget airline easyJet today announced a one-off dividend of £150m as it looks to cool a feud with its founder and major shareholder.Read

Holiday prices set to rise

Britain’s biggest holiday firm warned today that the price of a summer holiday will rise next year as it bears the brunt of higher fuel and accommodation costs.Read

Debenhams boosted by discounts

Department store Debenhams today forecast higher-than-expected profits after a summer of discounts and promotions helped boost its market share.Read

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Business Events Diary

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This is a free business events diary service. Add all your up-coming business seminars, meetings, talks and events to our interactive calendar. Read