What the Sunday Papers said...

The Independent on Sunday: Business leaders expect economy to worsen

More than half of Britain's business leaders expect the economy to get worse over the next 12 months. Less than 10 per cent believe there will be some improvement, according to the Captains of Industry survey, conducted by pollsters Ipsos Mori. The technology, media and telecoms sectors have the greatest potential for growth, say company directors.

The Sunday Times: Panmure may be sold to rival Cenkos

Panmure Gordon is hoping to sell itself to rival Cenkos. The troubled stockbrokerhas seen its shares crash lately, as business has dried up. Tim Linacre, the chief executive, said in November that he would quit, a move that may have prompted the takeover talks. Panmure, the firm where David Cameron's father worked, is presently valued by the stock market at £15m. It will be hoping to secure rather more than that in any deal.

The Mail on Sunday: Fearful banks deposit record £375bn at ECB

Banks are hoarding cash at record levels, figures from the European Central Bank show. A massive £375bn was left on deposit at the ECB at the end of last week, the highest ever. That is seen as a sign of how fearful banks are that their rivals are unsound and may go bust.

The Sunday Telegraph: Morrisons may take over giant Best Buy stores

Morrisons is in talks to acquire the 11 giant superstores that the US electricals giant Best Buy is vacating. The supermarket wants to take charge of the stores and convert them into Kiddicare stores. It bought the baby equipment retailer last year for £70m. Best Buy is quitting the UK, having seen its joint venture with Carphone Warehouse to sell electrical goods flop. Morrisons is rapidly expanding its non-food arm.