A decline in petrol sales illustrates behavior that may contribute to a dip in car insurance GWP

Datamonitor has forecast the private motor insurance market will plateau during 2012-15. One influence will be static growth in volume as the cost of driving spirals. Insurers are currently unconcerned while the size of the motor parc remains stable, with declining traffic signifying less risk exposure. Yet as drivers react and adapt their behavior, larger consequences for the market are expected.

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A difficult year, but the future is still bright for EDF

French energy giant EDF has revealed a bigger than expected 40% drop in annual profits, prompting a fall in the company's share price. However, despite the disappointing annual results, EDF's outlook is strong. Indeed, potential plans to sell some French assets in order to boost liquidity would not only ease the company's debt pile but would also appease the European Commission.

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A European E.ON-slaught

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A European home for orphan drugs

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A facelift for Superdrug

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A fully competitive European energy market may remain a Brussels pipedream

The liberalization of the European energy market has advanced only slowly over the past eight years. One month on from the latest directive deadline, Datamonitor's Salman Wasti reviews how uncertainty over the EU constitutions could create a new barrier to progress...

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A government-backed central pool is the only way forward for insurers offering flood coverage

A central flood insurance pool such as those proposed by the ABI and Marsh will only be effective if it is administered by an organization with industry-wide support and backed by the government. It is essential that one of the plans is agreed upon and implemented in the next six months, as policy holders and the insurance industry are being exposed to significant uncertainty in the meantime.

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A Mars a day to keep the doctor away?

Mars has unveiled a new product range that claims to satisfy chocolate lovers' cravings while also being good for the heart. With obesity on the rise, and following clampdowns on junk food in US and European schools, entering the health foods market could be a good move. However, Mars is not the only one to realize this, meaning it could face stiff competition.

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A merger between Sanofi and Aventis - the next logical step?

Sanofi is looking to make a hostile bid for its larger French rival Aventis. If the two companies were to merge, a new pharmaceutical giant would be created with enough muscle to challenge for the second position in the market behind Pfizer. Datamonitor's Nicole Lamble weighs up the advantages to be had from pooling resources...

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A new breed of hedge fund enters the market

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