Zurich: unthreading its needle

The sale of Threadneedle is the Zurich's latest effort to balance its books following heavy losses on its equity portfolio. Zurich has already announced heavy cost-cuts and has completed a rights issue to increase funds. With strong branding and performance Threadneedle is an attractive target, but finding a buyer might be tricky in the current market.

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Zurich: joining the list of insurance gloom

Zurich's fall into the red was driven by the September 11 tragedy combined with a general economic slowdown. Simultaneously, the insurer's payouts rocketed while its investment income plummeted. On the positive side, 2001 was a difficult year for many insurers throughout the world. Things should get better this year.

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Zurich Financial: taking desperate measures

Once seen as one of the world's strongest companies, Zurich Financial has been forced into a desperate share issue and job cuts by mistaken acquisitions and poor risk assessment. Although its short-term future looks volatile, there's strong growth set for insurance market that will help Zurich and its competitors in the long term.

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Zurich Financial Services: aiming to net the wealthy

Zurich has launched its high net worth division, Zurich Private Client. The HNW market has stimulated a lot of interest recently, and Zurich hopes the insurance venture will help it move into further HNW services in the future. Its already large over-60 and high-income customer base suggests Zurich has a high potential for success in this market.

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Yukos: taking control of a crucial oil export route

Yukos, Russia's second largest oil company, will pay $74 million for 49% of the export pipeline operator. The deal will allow Yukos to export more oil to western Europe, boosting its position in Europe's oil market and helping it come out of the shade of its larger rival Lukoil.

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Yukos: Russia set to invade Europe

While there are many bidders for BP's surplus German oil businesses, Yukos is one of the frontrunners to purchase the 650 service stations and 45% share in a refinery. Yukos has earmarked $2 billion towards improving its position in western European refining and retailing. Alongside fellow Russian firm Lukoil, Yukos is definitely a company to watch.

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Young families: more convenience, more health

The number of young families will decline by 0.4% a year to 2006, but increasing economic welfare and changing attitudes towards children will still have a significant impact on their spending. Following the birth of a first child, the opposing forces of both increasing time pressure and health concerns lead to greater spend on fresh, organic and convenience foods.

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Young drivers: design matters

A raft of recent vehicle launches, in particular from Japanese manufacturers, has demonstrated the automotive industry's obsession with the so-called Generation-Y market. But designing specific lifestyle oriented vehicles is a gamble that may not pay off.

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Yorkshire Electricity: attracting interest

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Yellow: European strategy looks off-color

Following the breakup of its 10-year partnership with Frans Maas, Yellow will replace the Dutch firm with a network of European alliances. This is an unusual move, given that most logistics players eschewed alliances in the late 1990s in favor of acquisitions. Yellow now risks losing strategic control over its European operations.

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