Amlin enjoys 'outstanding' quarter
16th Nov 2009 07:57
An absence of major catastrophe claims and rising premiums contributed to an 'outstanding' quarter for underwriter Amlin with the group on course for an 'excellent' year. Performance in the first ten months of the year has been excellent, Amlin said, with profitability enhanced by a 52% increase in
Read moreSunday tips round-up: Wood Group, Wincanton, Mothercare
30th Aug 2009 11:51
Wood Group's shares are trading on a December 2009 earnings multiple of 11.9, but this rises to 12.8 next year when earnings are expected to trough. The company upped its interim dividend by 11pc, but the yield is just 1.8pc after the recent strong gains. The long-term story is intact, but the Teleg
Read moreAnother Experian non-exec sells
26th Aug 2009 16:23
David Tyler, a non-executive director of Experian, has sold £525,100 worth of shares in the credit checker. Tyler, who is also the chairman of IT contracting company Logica, sold 100,000 shares at a price of 525.14p each. He is the second non-executive director to sell a large chunk of his holdin
Read moreLondon close: Stocks finish ahead
24th Aug 2009 16:23
London's leading shares have finished the day with comfortable gains as miners and banks stole the limelight. Mining giant Rio Tinto is reportedly in talks with the Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) over co-operation in bauxite and alumina production. The Australian Financial Review newspap
Read moreLondon afternoon: Centrica claims victory
24th Aug 2009 14:33
The Footsie regained some of its momentum over the lunch-time session, helped by expectations of a firm start on Wall Street. Centrica is wanted after it declared victory in its battle to take over Venture Production. The British Gas owner bought another 8.4% of Venture shares this morning, taking
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie backs off from 4900
24th Aug 2009 12:06
London's blue-chips are off the top but still predominantly in the blue. Strong miners and financials helped push the FTSE 100 index above 4900 shortly before 11:00am but this just encouraged profit-takers to make their move. Advertising firm WPP was the morning's best performer ahead of results o
Read moreAmlin H1 profits rise, cautious for H2
24th Aug 2009 07:27
Amlin, Lloyd's of London biggest insurer, raised its interim dividend as it reported a 29% hike in first half pre-tax profit but cautioned that the upcoming hurricane season could increase claims payouts. The group said pre-tax profit increased to £177m in the six months ended 30 June from £137m a
Read moreLondon close: Good gains for FTSE 100
5th Jun 2009 17:00
Footsie finished with good gains Friday as buoyancy in the mining sector and economic optimism from the US cancelled out the effects of continued political uncertainty here. Mining stocks were at the forefront of the advance on the back of strong metal prices and excitement at closer ties between h
Read moreLondon afternoon: Wall Street boost for London
5th Jun 2009 14:22
London's rise has been given extra impetus by expectations of a strong opening on Wall Street in the wake of better than expected US first-time jobless claims. Mining stocks continue to be at the forefront of the advance on the back of strong metal prices and excitement at closer ties between heavy
Read moreLondon midday: Upward trend continues
5th Jun 2009 12:11
Blue-chips shares continue to push ahead, led by minders in the wake of the decision by Rio Tinto to change tack with regards to its fund raising plans. Rio Tinto has capitulated to shareholder pressure and ditched its controversial $19.5bn refinancing deal with state-owned Chinese aluminium produc
Read moreLondon close: Footsie takes a dive
13th May 2009 16:31
Footsie gave up its recent indecisive spell to dive into the red after an unexpected fall in US retail sales tempered recent talk that we are on the cusp of an economic recovery. Financial shares were the worst performers in London, not helped by disappointing trading updates from Legal & General a
Read moreLondon afternoon: US retail sales data jolts London
13th May 2009 14:28
Poor US retail sales figures prompted a quickening in the decline of blue-chip prices in London. US retail sales had been expected to rise in April but unexpectedly fell, bringing in to doubt hopes that the US economy is on the mend. Financial shares are the worst performers in London, not helped b
Read moreLondon midday: Miners and properties slide
13th May 2009 12:04
After a moderately firmer start, London's leading shares quickly turned lower in the morning session, with mining shares and properties weighing heavily on the FTSE 100 index. Property giant Land Securities saw its net asset value slashed by two-thirds in 2008 in what it described as 'unprecedented
Read moreAmlin seeing steady improvement
13th May 2009 07:58
Trading conditions have steadily improved across many part of Amlin’s business and the underwriter expects the generally positive trends to continue this year. The average renewal rate of increase for Amlin in the first four months of 2009 was 4%, with the renewal retention rate running at 89.2%.
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