Thursday newspaper round-up: M&S, Apple, Chinese trade...

Marks & Spencer was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night after it rushed out worse than expected Christmas trading figures because they had been partially leaked, intensifying the scrutiny of chief executive Marc Bolland. M&S said that like-for-like sales in general merchandise, primarily clothing, fell by 3.8pc, worse than even the most pessimistic analysts had predicted. Like-for-like food sales rose 0.3pc, which was also below expectations. The trading update for the 13 weeks to December 29 was due to be issued on Thursday morning. However, M&S published the figures at just before 8pm on Wednesday and then hastily convened a management conference call after the like-for-like sales data was leaked to Sky News. [The Telegraph]

Apple is reportedly developing a budget version of the iPhone that could cost half as much as its latest handset, in an attempt to push back against arch-rival Samsung and increase sales in Asia. With competitors producing touch-screen devices for under $100 (£62) without subsidy, analysts say that to make an impact Apple would need to price its budget model at around $300, half the price of the latest iPhone. Scheduled for launch in the second half of this year, according to manufacturing sources, a second model would mark a major shift in strategy for Apple, which has produced just one handset a year since it first appeared in 2007. [The Guardian]

Chinese exports and imports rebounded strongly in December, pointing to solid economic growth both in China and abroad. Exports rose 14.1 per cent from a year earlier, the fastest in seven months and well above November's 2.9 per cent pace. Imports increased 6 per cent in December from a year earlier after flatlining in November. Both outstripped most forecasts. China registered a $31.6bn trade surplus for the month, up from $19.6bn in November. For 2012 as a whole, China had a trade surplus of $231bn, more than 50 per cent larger than a year earlier, breaking a streak of three straight annual declines. [Financial Times]

The decline in North Sea oil and gas production will be halted temporarily after investment by the industry last year reached the highest level since the mid-Seventies, according to the energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie. The news will be a boost for the Chancellor, who has blamed paltry tax revenues in part on a slump in North Sea output.