PRESS DIGEST - British business - April 28

The Times

EXPANSION PLAN COULD SPELL END TO VIRGIN HOLD ON WEST COAST

Two rival train companies are bidding against Virgin Trains(VTG.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for a key contract which could see Sir Richard Branson's stranglehold on the rail route from London to Glasgow weakened. The project management contract to oversee the introduction of new train carriages has attracted the interest of Govia, a joint venture between Go-Ahead(GOG.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Keolis, and Serco Rail(SRP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz). Securing the job could give the rival train operators inside information on the West Coast franchise.

LEISURE

On Monday, Whitbread (WTB.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is expected to report an increase in full-year earnings. The estimated rise at the pubs group is driven by a strong performance from its Premier Inn budget hotel chain, which generates more than 70 percent of its profits. Market expectations for full-year underlying pre-tax profits range between 204 million pounds and 207 million pounds. This amount is compared to just 167 million pounds last time.

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