Homeserve, the emergency repairs company at the centre of a long-running inquiry into alleged mis-selling, is bracing itself for a £6m fine from the City's watchdog.

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Ocado posts 11th consecutive annual loss but forecasts profit

The online grocer Ocado has mounted a vigorous defence of its business model after posting another loss for the 11th year running.

The Week Ahead: Punters betting on a strong 888 update

Investors in online-poker specialist 888 Holdings will be hoping for a strong update today.

Chief's surprise exit takes a bite out of Premier

Premier Foods shocked the City yesterday by revealing that the chief executive it had brought in to revive the fortunes of the debt-laden owner of Hovis bread was leaving after just 18 months.

Market Report: Hopes of fiscal cliff deal lift festive mood

Hopes of a deal in the United States fiscal cliff negotiations lifted stock markets across the world yesterday and boosted feelings that 2012 will end on an economic high. While a record-breaking Santa Rally is almost certainly out of the question, experts said positive news from across the pond could propel markets beyond their current level.

Market Report: I'm a Celebrity lifts ITV in ads jungle

Most people watching I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here are probably squirming at the behaviour of its inmates, Z-listers and creepy crawlies alike. Not City analysts: they're busy working out whether better viewing figures should affect their forecasts for its broadcaster.

The Market Report: Carnival shakes off its sea sickness

Nothing like a disaster at sea to put people off booking a cruise. The deadly accident in January that befell those on board the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy steered potential cruise goers to safer shores for months. Last month, the cruise operator Carnival reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results which showed signs that punters were regaining their sea legs. Yesterday, US rival Royal Caribbean raised its full-year forecast.

Third platinum chief executive quits

The chief executive of Aquarius Platinum has resigned as pressure mounts across the South African precious metal industry, with falling prices and violent wage protests.

Market Report: Snake anti-venom puts bite into BTG

Brisk summer business usually comes in the shape of holidays, barbeques, and ice cream sales. But for BTG the summer sun boosts the flogging of snake anti-venom. BTG, the pharmaceutical group which was first created by the Government to protect British inventions back in the 1940s, shot up the FTSE 250 index after reporting that it had outperformed in the first half and was increasing its revenue expectations for the full year.

Goals bidder Teachers suffers shock defeat

The match to take over Goals Soccer Centre, which had already dragged into extra time, yesterday ended in a shock defeat for the £73m bidder.

Market Report: Mothercare struggles despite new arrival

It looks like it is going to take more than a buggy assault course and an in-store coffee shop to persuade the Square Mile that Mothercare is worth buying. The struggling baby products retailer recently launched a new-look store in an attempt to revive its fortunes, but it has not stopped the attacks from scribes in the City.

Ocado under more fire from hostile analysts

Online supermarket Ocado yesterday came under the harshest attack from analysts yet since its troubled stock-market flotation in 2010 as one predicted it could breach its banking covenants this year.

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Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell