London pre-open: London to enjoy Wall St. tailwinds
27th May 2011 07:43
Encouraged by yesterday's strong finish on Wall Street. London's leading stocks are set to open higher, with City traders predicting the Footsie will start the day some 44 points higher at 5,925. Sales and profits were slightly ahead of expectations at electronics and maintenance products supplier
Read moreBritvic gets a lift from France
27th May 2011 07:15
First half sales at soft drinks group Britvic jumped by a quarter after a first-time contribution from its French division. Group revenue grew by 25.3% from £505.3m to £633.1m in the six months ended 17 April, with Britvic France registering sales of £117.4m. Revenue from the UK business unit incr
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips rally near close
24th Feb 2011 16:40
Shares rallied near the close despite the ongoing turmoil in Libya as Saudi Arabia indicated it would boost production to meet any shortfall caused by the unrest. Libya only produces about 2% of global output, but traders are worried the turmoil could spread to bigger oil producers, such as Algeri
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Oil groups rise on surging prices
24th Feb 2011 14:41
Oil groups EnQuest and Premier Oil are being helped higher by surging prices. Sportingbet is gaining 5% after amounts wagered in the quarter ended 31 January rose 10.6%. Sector peer Betfair rises in sympathy. Kier Group is wanted after a strong first half performance that saw revenues increase by
Read moreLondon midday: Shares still lower as Libya crisis continues
24th Feb 2011 12:11
Shares are stuck in the red as the oil price stays high amid ongoing turmoil in Libya. The north African country itself only produces about 2% of global output, but traders are worried the turmoil could spread to bigger oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia and Algeria. Brent crude jumped to $119.79
Read moreSoaring commodity prices to hurt Britvic
24th Feb 2011 08:55
Soaring commodity prices will hurt soft drinks group Britvic's results this year. The company behind Tango and Robinsons, which also distributes Pepsi in the UK and Ireland, has increased its cost inflation guidance for 2011 to 9% to 11% from a previous estimate of 5% to 6%. "We have been adverse
Read moreLondon open: Fourth day of falls as oil passes $119
24th Feb 2011 08:31
Shares are down for the fourth day in a row as the Libyan crisis continues to cast a shadow. Today's stream of company results has been given a mixed reception. Worries over the ongoing crisis in Libya - and concerns that other oil rich nations could be affected by protsests - continue to drive the
Read moreFriday tips round-up: AstraZeneca, Mitchells & Butlers, Aquarius Platinum...
28th Jan 2011 06:58
AstraZeneca and the rest of the large pharmas share the same basic problem, that of old drugs coming off patent faster than they can be replaced. The response has generally been to shovel piles of cash towards investors to keep them happy while trying to work out what to do next. AstraZeneca upped
Read moreLondon close: Footsie fades late
27th Jan 2011 16:32
Footsie closed lower after an afternoon rally, following a downgrade of Japan's credit weighting by ratings agency Standard & Poors, fizzled out. Life insurers moved to the top of the pile led by Old Mutual, Prudential and Aviva. Mining stocks did well after the US Federal Reserve indicated yesterd
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks edge higher
27th Jan 2011 14:23
Footsie remains marginally in positive territory after trading sideways over the lunchtime session, with the downgrade of Japan's credit weighting by ratings agency Standard & Poors continuing to weigh on sentiment. Mining stocks are going well, however, after the US Federal Reserve indicated yeste
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Petropavlovsk shines on bullish forecast
27th Jan 2011 14:03
Gold miner Petropavlovsk is putting in a sparkling performance today after the Russia-focused gold miner it forecast production would rise 18% in 2011 even on a very conservative estimate. Its gains are surpassed by two companies that reported yesterday though. Heritage Oil wins back some losses f
Read moreBritvic Q1 revenue up 20%
27th Jan 2011 07:17
Soft drinks firm Britvic said total first quarter revenue increased 20% from the same period a year earlier and it remains confident about the outcome for the full year. The maker of Fruit Shoot, Tango and Robinsons said revenue increased to £288.2m in the quarter ended 26 December and it expects
Read moreThursday preview: Astra, BSkyB, Britvic
26th Jan 2011 15:55
Drugs giant AstraZeneca reports fourth quarter and full year results on Thursday. Consensus forecasts are for full year pre-tax profits of £7.48bn on sales of £20.96bn. "In the face of a looming off-patent cliff attention is likely to focus, initially at least, on confirmation of an enhanced share
Read moreWeek Ahead: Astra, Sage, Britvic, US rate decision
21st Jan 2011 09:15
The spate of trading updates from retailers has almost dried up, leaving the field open to heavyweights from other sectors. Two of the big names from the utilities sector, United Utilities and Severn Trent, are due to report while from the oil sector Tullow and Cairn report late in the week. Accoun
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Britvic goes flat again
3rd Dec 2010 16:23
Soft drinks group Britvic, which yesterday saw its shares fall after its full year numbers, is lacking fizz again. Sector peer AG Barr, the company behind IRN-BRU, is also in the red. Barratt, Taylor Wimpey and Redrow move ahead after their fellow housebuilder Berkeley Group said it thinks it ca
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