London afternoon: Holiday stocks take flight
8th Sep 2009 13:56
After opening brightly London's leading shares have been treading water since the middle of the morning. Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto, Xstrata and Vedanta Resources lead the mining sector higher, as metal prices improve. Gold miner Randgold Resources is wanted after the price of gold bullio
Read moreLondon midday: Gold shines to push Footsie higher
8th Sep 2009 11:56
Gold pushing through the $1,000 per ounce mark has helped Footsie post decent gains in the morning session with miners generally in demand again. Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Xstrata, Randgold Resources and Vedanta Resources lead the mining sector higher. It is third time that
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Pub groups fizz
8th Sep 2009 08:48
Shares in Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns are in demand after strong food sales helped fellow pub operator Greene King post a healthy rise in like-for-like sales. Cardboard and paper supplier DS Smith is going well after saying it enjoyed a better than expected first quarter's trading. The firm
Read moreLondon open: Footsie still on the rise
8th Sep 2009 08:40
London's blue chips are on the rise again this morning ahead of Wall Street's return following Monday's public holiday. Kingfisher is going well after it mistakenly circulated some draft figures on Monday afternoon. That has foreced the DIY retailer to admit this morning that adjusted pre-tax profi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Bright start predicted
8th Sep 2009 07:36
The leading index is expected to extend yesterday's gains by about 10 points in early deals ahead of Wall Street's return following Monday's public holiday. Kingfisher mistakenly circulated some draft figures on Monday afternoon, forcing the DIY retailer to admit this morning that adjusted pre-tax
Read moreAshtead profit slumps 77%
8th Sep 2009 07:20
Industrial equipment rental firm Ashtead saw pre-tax profits plunge in the quarter to July 31 as tough economic conditions forced customers in the US and UK to scale back spending. The firm, which rents out drills, turf cutters and flood lights, saw profit before tax slide to £8.2m from £35.2m over
Read moreLondon close: Footsie closes flat
18th Jun 2009 16:34
A late afternoon rally fizzled out to leave Footsie little changed after a volatile day. Economic stories dominated the news with mixed data in the UK offset by better than expected intial jobless figures in the US. UK mortgage lending eased in May from the month before and was 58% lower than the
Read moreLondon afternoon: US rally lifts Footsie
18th Jun 2009 15:03
Better than expected US dole queue figures have lifted Footsie in the afternoon session, despite very mixed economic data here at home. Mortgage lending eased in May from the month before and was 58% lower than the same time last year, figures showed today. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) s
Read moreLondon midday: Economic data knocks retailers
18th Jun 2009 12:02
Leading shares drift lower after disappointing retail sales and weaker mortgage lending in May. The economic data proved to be a double-whammy for DIY retailers Home Retail and Kingfisher, which feature prominently among the main fallers. Elsewhere in the retail sector fashion chain Next and Currys
Read moreLondon open: Miners and banks on the rise
18th Jun 2009 08:17
Miners and banking shares are leading London's top stocks higher in early dealings following recent heavy falls. In the mining sector, Xstrata is the strongest performer, closely followed by Kazakhmys, Fresnillo and Antofagasta. Banks are also in demand, with both Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds
Read moreAshtead reports 22% drop in profit
18th Jun 2009 07:34
Industrial equipment rental firm Ashtead posted a 22% drop in full year pre-tax profit, but said its 2009/10 guidance remains unchanged. Underlying pre-tax profit from continuing operations before exceptionals was £87m in the year ended 30 April compared with £112m last time, while revenue was up 2
Read more