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Sunday Telegraph
US President Barack Obama renews pleas for action on debt ceiling deal
US President Barack Obama has renewed his pleas for a debt deal between Republicans and Democrats, criticising Washington for not having a 'triple A political system to match our triple A credit rating'.
Spain downgrade threat adds to eurozone debt woes
Spain is facing another threat to its credit rating after Moody's Investor Services warned that as well as its own dire economic problems, the country is also vulnerable to the knock-on impact of the 159bn (139bn) Greek bail-out.
BSkyB seeks to placate investors with 1bn buyback and dividend as it backs James Murdoch as chairman
BSkyB has announced a 750m share buyback and a 253m dividend to appease investors after the broadcaster's shares tumbled this month in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.
Sunday Times
HSBC poised to axe 10,000 staff
The banking giant moves to streamline its workforce as the taxpayer-backed RBS and Lloyds report losses of 4 billion.
Open books, say Charter investors
Charter International's largest shareholders have ordered the engineering firm to lower its defences against Melrose.
Ashley at war with Blacks
As he plots his next move on the ailing chain, the Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley calls for the head of Blacks Leisure chairman David Bernstein.
Observer
BP 'has gained stranglehold over Iraq' after oilfield deal is rewritten
BP has been accused of taking a "stranglehold" on the Iraqi economy after the Baghdad government agreed to pay the British firm even when oil is not being produced by the Rumaila field, confidential documents reveal.
Bank jobs in peril as global debt crisis pinches profits
Britain's leading banks will put thousands of jobs on the line this week when they announce first-half figures dented by the lack of trading activity caused by the parallel crises in the eurozone and the US.
The Independent on Sunday
Debt impasse has US poised for meltdown
The deadline for raising the US debt ceiling may be Tuesday when the US Treasury will supposedly have more bills to pay than cash in its coffers but pressure was on last night to get at least the outlines of a deal done before world markets begin opening for the week later today, starting with Asia.
Regulator blocks Network Rail board's bonus plans
Richard Price, the new rail regulation boss, has blocked Network Rail's 15.6m long-term management incentive proposals as he looks to overhaul the track operator's controversial bonus culture.
Sunday Mail
US deficit clash could result in another credit crunch for Britain
MPs order Revenue chiefs to stop posting out 'horrifying threats' to late taxpayers
BSkyB rules out drastic action despite troubles
Next steals march on its rivals with strong web sales
Sunday Telegraph
CareTech is a business that provides care for people with severe physical disabilities, challenging behaviours, mental health problems and autistic spectrum disorder.
The stock is almost down 60 per cent this year. The shares have been hit by worries about local authorities asking for cuts to learning disabilities fee rates.
Fears that CareTech might be hit by the fallout from the demise of Southern Cross, a care home company for the elderly, have also weighed on the stock.
Yet in June CareTech unveiled decent first-half figures in a tough operating environment, increasing profits before tax by 3 per cent to 6.7million on revenues that jumped 26 per cent to 52.2million.
City traders believe investors may be backing a management buyout and the company, currently at 128.38p, may be taken private for 180p a share. Buy.
Mail On Sunday
Kier is predominantly a construction group, but it is also significantly involved in support services to business and the public sector.
As many of analysts have noted, public bodies may turn increasingly to outside providers of services as a way to cut their costs.
The company, run by chief executive Paul Sheffield, ended 2010 with 144million in the bank. There is potential for this sum to rise as it releases cash held in land.
A large cash pile will enable Kier to expand, particularly in the lucrative support services field.
The core of the group is construction, which accounts for two-thirds of turnover and about 60 per cent of its operating profits.
As a result of long-term contracts, its target turnover from construction for 2011 has been secured, along with 65% of construction revenues for 2012.
The group has clinched major contracts for construction in the health service and for Crossrail. On top of these projects, Kier is a significant player in building power stations and has almost completed a gas-fired one for utility firm EDF at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.
Results for the year to June will be published in mid-September. Forecasts are for turnover of just over 2.1billion with pre-tax profits of 63million, up about 11 per cebt and earnings per share of about 120p.
Kier is currently priced at 1329p. It is exposed to the risks facing the property market and to the contraction in the public sector spending. However, its large infrastructure construction business stands to benefit from major Government projects under way.
At the same time, the group has the cash to expand in the potentially strong growth area of support services. Buy.