City File: Martin Taylor

MARTIN Taylor's appointment as chief executive of Barclays bought much praise for his management style. But Wednesday's half-year results at his old company, Courtaulds Textiles, will show even he is not perfect.

Julia Blake at BZW expects profits to fall from pounds 17.6m to pounds 15m, mainly because of problems at the high fashion and fabrics operations selling into France. The US lace business is being hit by destocking. The shares look fully priced.