While the two firms have flirted openly for years, Davis reportedly refused to seriously consider combining the companies without a reliable valuation on which to base the premium Glencore would have to pay to for Xstrata.

FORBES: Glencore's Glasenberg In Talks To Finally Net Xstrata

The new Z-Base systems use premium quality speakers and amplifiers and were designed by the ZVOX team of speaker designers.

ENGADGET: ZVOX intros three new Z-Base models, lowers the pricing soundbar

This may be born of something as innocuous as your pension premium claim, or the base cost you gave for a capital gains disposal.

BBC: Self assessment penalties and enquiries

As DirecTV is seen as a premium brand, it attracts a stickier subscriber base with customers more likely to have higher incomes and lower churn rates.

FORBES: DirecTV Gets Payoff In Stock Price For Subscriber Revenue Gains

Huawei now commands a premium for some of its higher-end cellular network base-stations that combine old and new networks in one small unit, the executives said.

WSJ: EU to Probe China Telecoms' Trade Practices

Senior loans pay interest at rates that are determined periodically by reference to a base lending rate, primarily LIBOR, plus a premium.

FORBES: Pick Of The Week: High Yield Fund With Inflating Returns

Chrysler puts extra wiring in the base Nitro to handle two radio choices, yet few buyers pick the premium stereo.

FORBES: Chrysler does the math and concludes that less is more.

The smartphone's premium features extend to the styling, with the handset boasting a unique illuminating transparent strip at its base for quick access to updates and features.

ENGADGET: Sony Xperia S available now from Three UK Mobile