London pre-open: Early rise ahead

29th Apr 2010 07:37

London's top stocks are expected to open higher as investors mull a number of company statements out this morning.Pay TV and Internet service provider British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) saw subscriber numbers improve by a better than expected 62,000 in the first three months of 2010, with average revenue per user up 11%. Adjusted revenue rose 11% to £4,383m in the nine months to end-March while adjusted EBITDA improved by 8% to £868m.A fourth quarter pick-up in trading enabled underlying profits at hotel to coffee shop group Whitbread to come in near the top of market forecasts. Underlying profits before tax increased by 6.6% to £239.1m in the year to February, from £224m. Pre-tax profits rose to £208m from £198.6m. Underlying earnings per share (diluted) increasing by 6.7% to 96.7p.BG Group reported first quarter figures that beat market expectations as the oil titan benefitted from a rise in production and stronger oil and gas prices. Revenue and other operating income increased 4% to $4,647m, reflecting a 6% increase in E&P production volumes and higher oil and liquids prices, partially offset by lower realised gas prices in the E&P and LNG segments.Volume growth at Anglo-Dutch household products giant Unilever came in ahead of market expectations in the first quarter of 2010, with the company boasting of strong momentum across all geographic regions. Underlying volumes growth was 7.6%, versus market expectations of 5.4%.Taylor Wimpey has lifted selling prices of homes in the UK by 9% since January as the housing market continues to recover. The housebuilder adds that UK market conditions remain "encouraging, with continued gradual improvements in mortgage availability and buyer confidence".Personal care products group McBride announced that overall trading for the four months to 28 April has been in line with expectations. Group revenues in the four month period rose by 2% from the same time a year before on a reported and constant currency basis.