London midday: Early gains are consolidated
14th Jul 2009 12:11
The Footsie is trading sideways, holding on to gains after a bright start. Inflation data was much as expected, with the inflation rate falling below the Bank of England's 2% target for the first time since September 2007 last month. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a drop in consu
Read moreSector movers: Engineering stocks climb after updates
14th Jul 2009 10:37
Positive trading updates from industrial engineering stocks help lift the sector higher. Engineering conglomerate Melrose is trading in line with expectations for the full year and said cash generation during the first six months of 2009 has been 'excellent'. Metals group Delta said it enjoyed a
Read moreLondon open: Early gains for Footsie
14th Jul 2009 08:41
London's blue chips have made early gains after the hundred-point plus surge on Wall St overnight. Miners are leading the way with Fresnillo, Lonmin, Xstrata and Rio Tinto all going well. Defensive stalwarts are the weak spots with Diageo, Imperial Tobacco and Reckitt Benckiser all lower. Enginee
Read moreLondon pre-open: Bright start expected
14th Jul 2009 07:40
Footsie is expected to rise after last night's good showing on Wall Street. Engineering conglomerate Melrose is trading in line with expectations for the full year and said cash generation during the first six months of 2009 has been 'excellent'. Net debt has reduced by £127m since 31 December 2008
Read moreBritvic to beat top end estimates as UK guzzles
14th Jul 2009 07:09
Drinks group Britvic posted a strong rise in revenues in the 12 weeks to July 5 and said full year results would exceed expectations as UK consumers slaked their thirst with fizzy drinks during the hot weather. Total revenues were £249.1m for the three month period, an increase of 5.9% on the prior
Read moreLondon close: Footsie limps back into positive territory
27th May 2009 17:02
The movements of London's blue-chip index looked as if they were being directed by the grand old Duke of York today, with the index starting the day on the up, then heading lower over the lunchtime session before finishing roughly where it started. Sterling moved above $1.60 for the first time sin
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie drifts into the red
27th May 2009 14:58
London's leading shares are mixed in quiet trading. Hopes of receiving a lift from a strong start on Wall Street have been dashed, with the US market trading indecisively as London as traders await the release of US existing home sales data. Water companies receive a boost ahead of the sector's res
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: ITV well-received after Goldman note
27th May 2009 13:28
ITV is getting a good reception from investors today after Goldman Sachs upgraded the broadcaster to 'buy' from 'sell'. The US bank anticipates that forward advertising data will start to sow signs of levelling off over the second and third quarters. But Britvic is lacking a bit of fizz after priva
Read morePermira sells Britvic stake
27th May 2009 13:04
Shares in Britvic fell back after private equity group Permira sold its 14% stake in the soft drinks maker. Permira, which invests in sectors such as consumer products and media, bought into Britvic in December 2006. Last week, Britvic, which makes Tango and distributes Pepsi and 7UP in the UK, sa
Read moreLondon midday: Water companies keep Footsie afloat
27th May 2009 12:10
The Footsie is barely keeping its head above water, despite expectations of a moderately firm start on Wall Street. Water companies receive a boost ahead of the sector's results season which starts this week, with Credit Suisse claiming the sector's rally is set to continue. The Swiss bank has upgr
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Experian, Britvic, Cape
21st May 2009 06:07
Experian may sit in the support services sector but its share price - up 80 per cent from last year's low - makes it look more like a bank. At 493p, up 7p, or 12 times current-year earnings, the shares have begun to price in recovery but should advance further as economic signals improve. Buy on wea
Read moreComment: Core brands keep drinks groups fizzing
20th May 2009 18:10
The exotic array of soft drinks offered to consumers has probably never been wider, but judging by two company updates today, thirsty but cash-strapped drinkers are turning back to the fizzy favourites they know and love. Britvic, which makes Tango and distributes Pepsi and 7UP in the UK, saw pre-t
Read moreLondon close: Jittery Footsie finishes lower
20th May 2009 16:36
Footsie failed to sustain a slight rally that came after a positive US opening and finished in the red after an indecisive day's trading. Miners Lonmin, Rio Tinto, Vedanta, Randgold, Antofagasta and Kazakhmys all went well, while silver and gold producer Fresnillo was wanted after it said it has su
Read moreLondon afternoon: Wall St. sparks London rally
20th May 2009 14:49
A buoyant opening on Wall Street has encouraged UK shares to claw back the morning's losses and the FTSE 100 is now virtually back up to its overnight level. Banks are leading the revival, with Lonmin, Rio Tinto, Vedanta, Randgold, Antofagasta and Kazakhmys all going well, while silver and gold pro
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Britvic fizzing despite Irish setback
20th May 2009 12:47
Investors have raised a glass to an impressive set of results from soft drinks group Britvic which shrugged off a profits collapse in Ireland to lift underlying interim profits by over 16% as sales in the UK gathered momentum. Business communications firm Colt Telecom has landed a contract to provi
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