London pre-open: Shares set to recover

1st Dec 2009 07:37

London's top stocks look set to recover from their recent losses, with traders expecting Footsie to gain over 50 points early on.Travel operator TUI saw profits rise in the year to September 30 despite flat revenues despite reduced demand in the tough economic climate as it managed to raise ticket prices and keep its planes full. Pre-tax profits for the year at TUI Travel, which was formed from the merger of First Choice Holidays and the tourism division of TUI AG, rose to £366m from £319m the previous year as revenues slipped slightly to £13.86m from £13.93m.Irn Bru maker AG Barr warned that economic conditions continue to be challenging but said it is trading in line with expectations and remains confident of delivering its plans for the full year. Revenue for the quarter ended 31 October increased by 21.4% compared to the same period last year. Like for like sales increased by 10.8%.Mining company Xstrata has agreed to sell its 19.9% stake in Australian gold and copper miner Indophil Resources to Zijin Mining Group. Chinese mining company Zijin is using the Xstrata stake as a launch-pad for a bid for Indophil. It paid AU$1.28 per share for Xstrata's stake.Telecoms regulator Ofcom has asked for views before deciding whether to reflect the cost of BT's growing pension scheme deficit in its charges to rivals that use its network. To date, Ofcom has used BT's reported pension costs, excluding deficit repair payments, when determining regulated prices.Pub group and brewer Greene King shrugged off the worst of the downturn over the last six months with sales and underlying profits rising modestly thanks to strong performance from its Scottish arm Belhaven. Revenue to 18 October rose by 4.3% to £464.5m. Operating profit was 3.3% lower than last year at £103.3m, but underlying profits rose by 2.8% at £62.4m. Interserve has won a £200m facilities management (FM) contract with HSBC and is commencing service delivery today. In a three-year agreement, which has a potential two-year extension, Interserve will deliver facilities services at over 1,600 retail and 120 office sites across the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.Bus and train group Go Ahead Group has completed the acquisition of Plymouth CityBus from Plymouth City Council. The council ratified the takeover, first announced on November 23. The enterprise value of the transaction is £20m and gives Go-Ahead 100% control of Plymouth CityBus.