COMPANIES

Next sales were up, boosted by its online and catalogue business Next Directory, for the first quarter as the company holds its outlook for the half year.

Home Retail Group reported a fall in its full-year profits, as the spending in the group's markets declined further than the expectations with many customers facing pressures on the amount of disposable income.

Standard Chartered unveils another quarter of income growth, following increased consumer and wholesale banking operations and double digit income growth in Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Standard Chartered said its first-quarter revenue rose less than its previous 10 percent target, as the strength of the US dollar against Asian currencies impacted income growth. The bank in February forecasted 'double-digit' growth in revenue and in earnings per share for this year.

Lead singer of Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, finalises multi-million pound aviation project in south Wales.

BSkyB shares lifted despite a report by the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee heavily criticising both Rupert and James Murdoch.

Rupert Murdoch is described by the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee's report as "not a fit person" to run an international company. Is Ofcom listening?

There’s a chance that Google could be investigated by British police after news emerged from an American report that the firm’s StreetView camera project collected Wi-Fi data from some homes they passed by.

Avon Rubber Plc anticipates making further progress in FY 2012 despite an uncertain outlook for global defence spending, as the timing of filter deliveries is likely to result a greater second half year weighting.

Carillion Plc reported 2011 profits at the top of expectations and won a 10-year property management deal worth £700 million with Oxfordshire Council. Given the wider economic outlook, the group expects trading conditions to remain challenging in 2012.

1 WTC builders celebrate installing 100th floor on way to Twin Towers successor becoming highest building in US.

The Lloyd's of London insurance market, the world's oldest, has said it suffered no significant first quarter losses after a difficult 2011.

Lower production following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill pulls down profits despite the rise in oil prices over the last year

Guy Hands's Terra Firma private equity group has agreed to buy Four Seasons Health Care in an £825m deal.

British Petroleum Plc expects to divest assets of $38 billion by the end of 2013 as a part of group's decision to actively manage its business portfolios around the world, focusing on core activities and future growth.

Man Group Plc has made a strong start to 2012 with combined business power counterbalancing weaker performance at AHL, but Singer Capital downgrades its estimates ahead of the group's first quarter interim management update on Tuesday.

Andrew Moss, chief executive of Aviva, had turned down a pay rise after shareholders voiced their concerns on executive pay.

World's largest beermaker posts core profit boost on higher US beer sales and cites Brazil as future sales driver

Adidas ups outlook on stronger sales in Asia and "exceptional" growth overall, despite an India probe into "commercial irregularities"

Aberdeen Asset Management's portfolio nears £185bn as group ups dividend by 4.4 percent

Battlefield 3 (BF3) has had its fair share of fanfare amid controversy and fan outrage overshadowing its launch. Finally, DICE responds to its critics in a recent interview justifying the changes it made to the multiplayer game update/patch.

PlayStation 3 (PS3) gamers are in for a pleasant surprise this weekend, as the multiplayer events including 'Operation Exorcist' are finally available for Sony's flagship console.

As Barclays' question CEO Bob Diamond's remuneration package and his colleagues' bonus pool, the debate on executive pay, bankers' bonuses and pay legislation intensifies.

BioWare seems to be adding more teeth to its social network (BSN) with the launch of Multiplayer Manifest that aims to take 'Mass Effect 3' (ME3) to a whole new level.

Driven by the recovery in investor confidence and risk appetite, Aberdeen Asset Management reported net new inflows of £1.4 billion during the first two months of 2012. The group is scheduled to release its interim results for the six months ended March 31 on Monday, April 30.

Harvey Nash Group raised its profit outlook as it expects full-year results to be ahead of expectations, driven by skills shortages in niche markets and fast growing digital and mobile markets which continue to boost demand for technology professionals.

Nearly 73 percent agree to payout despite sharp criticism and slumping Barclays equity returns

Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP, the world's biggest advertising firm, posted strong first quarter results and improves its full year profit forecast.

Germany's BASF's oil and gas unit buoys up profits, after the chemicals business disappoints