Today's other stories in brief
Spanish firm wins race for HSBC HQ
Spanish property firm Metrovacesa has prevailed over Dublin financier Derek Quinlan in the £1.09 billion (€1.6 billion) race for the London headquarters of international banking group HSBC.
The HSBC deal, described as Britain's biggest single property transaction, was formalised late on Friday. Quinlan Private's participation in the auction last month came as it finalised a 44 per cent stake in a €1.6 billion deal to acquire the Marriott chain's 47 hotels in Britain.
Currys to expand in Ireland
London-listed electrical goods retailer DSG International plans a further franchise deal to expand its Currys business in Ireland after the conclusion of its first franchise arrangement here with Co Donegal firm McEwan Electrical.
DSG, which also owns Dixons and PC World, has a total of 28 retail outlets. The franchise concept with the Currys brand is intended to build business in small catchment areas not served by company-owned stores.
The group's Irish business is expanding rapidly. Sales rose 28 per cent to €82.5 million in the 28 weeks to November 11th, 2006.
Irish wind firm gets permit in US
Finavera Renewables, an Irish wind energy company listed in Toronto, said it has been issued a preliminary permit for its proposed 100 megawatt Coos County wave energy project in Oregon. The permit, granted by the US Federal Energy Commission, is valid for three years and will allow Finavera to conduct studies towards applying for an operating licence.
