Can Ted Baker weather the high-street storm?

Did Raymond Kelvin, chief executive of Ted Baker, speak too soon? Earlier this year Mr Kelvin, head of the high-street chain, said he was confident the retailer could sail through an economic storm. We will know more on Thursday when Ted Baker reports its half-year results, which are likely to be down but better than many of its rivals. Ted Baker's shares have been dropping since last Christmas when they were 559p – on Friday they closed at 360p. But analysts are cheerful, saying the shares are a buy despite the stormy weather ahead which last week claimed Hardy Amies, the Queen's dressmaker. The 62-year-old couture house, which has been dressing the Queen since 1955, announced that it is considering appointing administrators.