British Reporter

The Economics of New Year

The FINANCIAL -- New Year and Christmas are generally considered the major annual economic stimulus for most countries. Sales boost considerably in almost all retail areas. Shops introduce new products as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies for the festive season.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

INTERVIEW

UBS Professional to Get Directly Involved in CFS Management

Levan Surguladze, PhD, former Director of Risk Control, New York’s UBS Investment Bank, is getting directly involved in the management of Caucasus Financial Services (CFS) - Georgia’s first independent full-service investment bank. The FINANCIAL interviewed Dr. Surguladze, regarding the company’s role in

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

6 mins read

Pharmacy

Outstanding resistance to chemicals

The FINANCIAL -- Waterborne two-component polyurethane (PU) coatings are increasingly replacing solventborne systems. And for good reason: They are environment-friendly and satisfy statutory VOC guidelines intended to limit the emission of volatile organic compounds.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

Pharmacy

Bayer MaterialScience raises prices for polyurethane systems in the automotive sector

The FINANCIAL -- Effective January 1, 2008, Bayer MaterialScience is raising its sales prices for polyurethane systems for use in the automotive sector in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region by EUR 0.15 per kilogram.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

Oil & Auto

Ford Confirms New High Performance Focus RS is on the way

The FINANCIAL -- Ford of Europe is confirming its plan to deliver an exciting all-new, high performance Focus RS model for launch in 2009. A design image released by the company today hints at the exciting direction the new model is taking.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

Oil & Auto

Lexus Announces Pricing on Certain 2008 Models and 2009 RX 350

The FINANCIAL -- Torrance, CA - Lexus announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) on December 14 for the 2008 ES 350, LS 460, and IS model luxury sedans, and the 2008 RX 400h and 2009 RX 350 luxury utility vehicles.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

BANKS

ING rebalances hedge portfolio for employee options

The FINANCIAL -- ING Groep N.V. has sold 8,610,000 (depositary receipts for) ordinary shares from its delta hedge portfolio, which is used to hedge employee options. The shares were sold on the open market between 4 December and 14 December at an

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

BANKS

Progress on share repurchase programme

The FINANCIAL -- ING announced on December 17 that, in line with the launch of its EUR 5.0 billion share buy back programme on 4 June 2007, the company has repurchased 2,990,000 (depositary receipts for) shares during the week of 10 December until 17

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read

Insurance

Swiss Re to complete sale of Tomorrow’s new business operations to LV= by year end

The FINANCIAL -- According to Swiss Re, on 31 December 2007 Swiss Re will complete the sale of the new business operations of Tomorrow to LV= (formerly known as Liverpool Victoria). This transaction was first announced on 30 May 2007.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

2 mins read

WORLD

Russian prosecutors arrest fourth suspect in Storchak case

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, a Moscow court has issued an arrest warrant for a fourth suspect in the case of deputy finance minister, Sergei Storchak, accused of attempting to embezzle $43 million, the court's press office said on December 17.

by The FINANCIAL

December 17, 2007

1 min read