London pre-open: Heading lower
17th Jun 2009 07:43
Another day of losses across the Atlantic is set to weigh on UK blue chips, with futures prices indicating an early 20-point deficit for London's leading index. Supermarket chain J Sainsbury is raising £445m via a placing and offering of convertible bonds to speed up growth and take advantage of th
Read moreBATs branches out in Indonesia
17th Jun 2009 07:12
British American Tobacco (BATs) has bought an 85% stake in Indonesia’ fourth largest cigarette maker. The company is paying Rajawali Group $494m (£303m) for the majority stake in PT Bentoel Internasional Investama. The payment is equivalent to IDR873 per Bentoel share, which represents a 20% prem
Read moreSector movers: Media stocks in demand
27th May 2009 13:30
Media is one of the best-performing sectors after Goldman Sachs upgraded some of the major players. Broadcaster ITV is upgraded from 'sell' to 'buy' and added to the US bank's 'conviction buy' list. Goldman Sachs anticipates that forward advertising data will start to sow signs of levelling off ove
Read moreLondon afternoon: Defensive stocks back in favour
26th May 2009 14:42
Hopes that Wall Street might provide a fillip to UK shares have been dashed as US markets open in a similarly dull fashion to London. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers while defensive sectors such as tobaccos and supermarkets have returned to favour. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lo
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