Fwd: Royal Mail has "competitive" mentionitis | 100,000 new homes on government land?

Also: MPC defy expectations | Go to the moon for GBP 50

Today's City A.M. Morning Update: View in your browser | Download today's paper | Download the City A.M. Paper App What's Happening Now Royal Mail has "competitive" mentionitis   Royal Mail was suffering from a case of mentionitis this morning. Its market update, which showed profits were down year on year, used the word "competition" 14 times and "competitive" eight times. Although it is still in line to meet market expectations for the year (assuming it performs well over Christmas) we couldn't help wondering if the company has something on its mind? Read the full story here.  London could house as many as 100,000 homes on land owned by the government, a report by property company Savills claims. Nationwide that grows to two million, and equates to around 40 per cent of departmental assets. Find out where here. Topshop and Rihanna are back in court, with the Philip Green-owned high street giant appealing a decision last year over the use of her image on a t-shirt. Topshop's lawyers are arguing that it was a "decorated" t-shirt, along the lines of the ones we've all seen before with the likes of Elvis, Marilyn and so on. Read the full story here. Speaking of the high street, John Lewis customers have been flocking (or should that be waddling) to the department store on the back of Its Monty the Penguin advert. The retailer's weekly sales broke the £100m mark for the first time in 2014 last week.  If you had a bit of a chaotic journey in this morning, it may have been because Victoria Station was evacuated over a fire alert, leaving passengers stranded for up to half an hour.  Read more here. Not so chaotic at the monetary policy committee, where it was no change yet again on interest rates, adding weight to the view that it could be many months before we see a rise. Is it time for change in the IPO market? That is what our editor argues this morning, pointing out that there have been "glaring disappointments" both in London and Europe, putting a large number of institutional investors off. Those who regulate the European capital markets need to restore confidence soon, he says. And that appears to be the view of the banks and investors as this other article examines. Markets were mixed this morning, with the FTSE 100 down 0.1 per cent at pixel time, while the Dax rose 0.4 per cent and the Cac was up 0.2 per cent. EasyJet – whose boss Carolyn McCall hit back at the "lazy" jibe while unveiling strong results – led the risers this morning, up 1.6 per cent. AstraZeneca followed close behind. Intertek was the biggest loser, down 7.3 per cent, while Royal Mail fell three per cent. What you need to read After banning high powered vacuums, Brussels takes aim at big screen TVs The EU has come up with another bright energy saving idea. This time, the target of the EU's drive for energy efficiency, are big screen TVs. Read more Labour pledges £10 visa to pay for greater border controls Brits will soon go to the moon for £50 We got it Wronga says Wonga When Myleene met Miliband - in six gifs Sponsored by The Imperial Executive MBA Meet us on campus in London, 26 November 2014 Register now to secure your place Most read today online Services resume at London Victoria Station after fire alert League failure hits Manchester United revenues Pub firms left in limbo by MP vote to slash beer tie Former chairman Robert Terry sorry for Quindell meltdown Calls grow for IPO markets shake-up Business Features How ending nine to five can banish wasted potential The Forum Coal is the fuel of the future – but not as we've ever known it before Algy Cluff Against the Grain: Corporation tax is getting easier to avoid: It's time to abolish it entirely Paul Ormerod Coal is the fuel of the future – but not as we've ever known it before Algy Cluff Wealth Management Staying on track: The secrets to rebalancing your portfolio  Why UK commercial real estate is still hot property  Life & style Graciano: An obscure but memorable wine from Rioja and Navarra  Sport International Friendly: Two-goal Rooney tames Scotland and closes on goal record Lancaster axes Care and Vunipola in bid to arrest five-match slump Fifa faces FBI call after triggering criminal probe Sponsored by The Imperial Executive MBA A two-year programme at a top 10 global university. Enhance your skills, boost your career and drive lasting positive change through the power of innovative thinking. Meet us in London, 26 November 2014 Add news@email.cityam.com to your contacts to ensure you never miss an email. Refer a friend - subscribe here Contact us - For advertising opportunities, or to give feedback, please reply to this email. © 2014 City A.M. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The content of this email and the City A.M. website may not be reproduced without the written consent of City A.M. Ltd. Registered Office: 13 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4YL. Registered in Scotland No. sc275417. VAT No. gb854197009.

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