London open: Stocks edge higher, Premier Foods slide continues

1st Jul 2011 08:32

Stocks have edged higher on a quiet day on the company news front following yesterday's deluge.Pub group Greene King, which yesterday reported a big rise in profits but also reported volatile trading since the year end, sending the shares lower, has won back some losses. However, Hovis bread maker Premier Foods suffers more losses after yesterday's profit warning.Turning to today's news, water and waste management group Northumbrian Water has confirmed that it received a proposal about an offer from the Hong Kong infrastructure group Cheung Kong. The statement comes after Cheung King said on Monday that it was in the initial stages of sizing up an offer for the north-east England-based utility.Plant-based sweetener-maker Pure Circle has signed a global distribution agreement with the world's biggest fragrance and flavour company Firmenich. Under the agreement Switzerland-based Firmenich will have exclusive rights over NSF-02, a flavour modifier developed by Pure Circle to be used in combination with its sweeteners.Astra-Zeneca, the FTSE-100 pharmaceuticals firm, has won approval to sell its drug Nexium in Japan. The drug helps in the treatment of acid related conditions, including peptic ulcer disease.FTSE 100 - RisersMarks & Spencer Group (MKS) 364.90p +0.97%Severn Trent (SVT) 1,486.00p +0.95%John Wood Group (WG.) 653.50p +0.93%Tate & Lyle (TATE) 621.00p +0.81%United Utilities Group (UU.) 603.50p +0.75%Smith & Nephew (SN.) 670.00p +0.75%Barclays (BARC) 258.20p +0.68%Man Group (EMG) 238.50p +0.63%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,648.00p +0.61%RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 135.70p +0.59%FTSE 100 - FallersRandgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,185.00p -1.33%Cairn Energy (CNE) 409.40p -1.30%Fresnillo (FRES) 1,385.00p -1.21%Capita Group (CPI) 708.00p -1.05%BHP Billiton (BLT) 2,428.50p -0.96%GKN (GKN) 229.70p -0.91%International Power (IPR) 319.50p -0.68%ARM Holdings (ARM) 584.00p -0.68%Xstrata (XTA) 1,363.00p -0.62%Anglo American (AAL) 3,069.00p -0.60%FTSE 250 - RisersJD Sports Fashion (JD.) 965.50p +3.82%Punch Taverns (PUB) 74.40p +3.62%Inchcape (INCH) 433.00p +3.61%Debenhams (DEB) 71.00p +2.90%QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 124.10p +2.82%Sports Direct International (SPD) 242.30p +2.54%Greene King (GNK) 499.50p +2.48%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 17.21p +2.26%Carpetright (CPR) 665.50p +2.23%JD Wetherspoon (JDW) 440.00p +2.02%FTSE 250 - FallersPremier Foods (PFD) 17.25p -9.31%London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 1,028.00p -3.11%Shanks Group (SKS) 125.30p -1.96%Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 313.90p -1.29%Great Portland Estates (GPOR) 430.70p -1.22%Unite Group (UTG) 215.00p -1.19%Bodycote (BOY) 367.70p -1.13%RPC Group (RPC) 359.20p -1.10%Barratt Developments (BDEV) 113.00p -1.05%Domino Printing Sciences (DNO) 675.00p -1.03%