London afternoon: Drugs firms provide some cheer
10th Mar 2011 14:47
Investors are finding plenty of reasons to be fearful but at least the Bank of England has stuck to the script and held its key lending rate at 0.5%. Otherwise, weak economic data from China and a downgrade for Spanish debt has put the situation in Libya into the shade today. China posted a trad
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stuck lower after Spanish downgrade
10th Mar 2011 12:19
The Bank of England's decision to keep rates at 0.5% was fully-expected and shares remain at stuck firmly in the red. Weak economic data from China and a downgrade for Spanish debt has put the situation in Libya into the shade today. China posted a trade deficit of $7.3bn in February compared wit
Read moreLondon open: Shares head lower after China surprise
10th Mar 2011 08:23
Surprisingly weak data out of China this morning has sent shares lower overall, while a stream of company updates has been given a mixed reception. China posted a trade deficit of $7.3bn in February compared with the usual surplus, due mainly to the shutdown of factories during the Chinese New Year
Read moreAggreko cautious on Arab turmoil
10th Mar 2011 07:29
Aggreko, the temporary electricity supplier that will power next year's London Olympics, enjoyed a strong year in 2010, but warned that the current turmoil in the Arab world makes predicting this year's outcome difficult. Pre-tax profits were up by nearly a quarter from 2009 at £307.1m. Revenues w
Read moreThursday preview: BoE rate decision, Morrisons, Punch ...
9th Mar 2011 17:02
After European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet dropped heavy hints last week that the ECB is seriously contemplating a rise in interest rates for the eurozone, attention is keenly focused on Thursday's meeting of the UK rate-setting committee, where the hawks slowly seem to be gaini
Read moreAggreko buys New Zealand rival
7th Mar 2011 11:03
Temporary power supplier Aggreko is acquiring a New Zealand temporary power rental business. Aggreko is paying NZ$27.5m (£12.7m) for Auckland-based NZ Generator, which has been trading for two decades. Revenues were NZ$13m (£6m) in 2010. The business has a fleet of 156 generators providing 45MW of
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 shrugs off weather woes
20th Dec 2010 16:44
Shares held onto gains to close in positive territory despite the bad weather hitting travel and retail stocks. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers fell. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks
Read moreAggreko non-exec opens wallet
20th Dec 2010 15:48
Ken Hanna, a non-executive director at Aggreko since October, has opened his account with the temporary power and temperature control specialist, taking a big chunk of shares. He took 10,000 shares at 1,500p a go, spending a total of £150,000. The purchase was announced on the same day Aggreko sai
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stay buoyant despite weather hit
20th Dec 2010 15:25
Footsie is still hovering around 5,900 points following a mixed start on Wall Street. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers have trimmed losses. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks & Spencer,
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 5,900
20th Dec 2010 12:00
Things turned around dramatically in the hour before lunch as the session came alive after a rather dull start, nudging a 2½-year high by midday. Defensive issues are still going well. National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy and British Gas owner Centrica are expected to benefit from the cold sn
Read moreLondon open: Shares edge higher
20th Dec 2010 08:28
Shares are little changed in early dealings, perhaps a taste of things to come this week as news dries up heading into the Christmas break. British Airways, which saw many flights grounded in Britain over the weekend and is still facing severe disruption, is a notable faller. Rumours that Ladbroke
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early morning dip
20th Dec 2010 07:31
It looks like London is in for early losses on the last Monday before Christmas on rising tensions between North and South Korea and sovereign debt fears in the eurozone. The FTSE 100 is expected to open about 7 points lower, according to futures prices. M&A could brighten the mood though. Rumours
Read moreAggreko wins London Olympics contract
20th Dec 2010 07:06
Aggreko has won a contract to be the exclusive supplier of temporary energy services at the London Olympics in 2012, the power supply and temperature control specialist has announced. The value of the contract is expected to be around £37m. It will also be the sponsor of both the Olympic and Paraly
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 17:03
Shares failed to haul themselves into the blue on a busy day's trading, as worries over the Irish economy spooked banking stocks. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Lloyd
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downbeat banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 15:05
Shares remain uncertain as the weekend approaches, with banks holding the leading share index back amid continuing eurozone worries. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Me
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