Bovis confident of delivering in stable market
8th Jul 2011 07:05
House builder Bovis completed marginally fewer sales in the first half of this year than last, although the underlying picture was brighter and the average sales price increased. Completions eased to 801 from 803 in the first half of last year, but net private reservations in the first half of the
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Prudential, Northbridge, FirstGroup
12th May 2011 06:54
It's not often a company says it wants to slow down a booming business but that's what Prudential said about its US Jackson Life operation yesterday. Prudential remains a great long-run investment in Asia's economic and demographic strengths but for those with a shorter horizon the US may prove some
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 back below 6,000
11th May 2011 16:51
After a calm start following good gains yesterday, shares took a sharp dive into the red as economic worries resurfaced. Despite a strong first start to the year, terrestrial broadcaster ITV, one of today's strugglers, has warned that it is facing tougher comparatives in the current quarter, meanin
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Ocado fails to deliver
11th May 2011 15:25
Online grocery firm Ocado - which has a long-term delivery deal with Waitrose - has seen its share price drop after it said sales growth in the second quarter has, as expected, been lower than the first as a result of capacity constraints and the higher incidence of holidays. Garfunkel's and Frank
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 pauses after rally
11th May 2011 12:13
Shares are seeking direction following yesterday's big gains, with stocks moving in both directions on the back of updates. Despite a strong first start to the year, terrestrial broadcaster ITV has warned that it is facing tougher comparatives in the current quarter, meaning that the firm could und
Read moreBovis Homes says market remains stable
11th May 2011 08:41
Housebuilder Bovis said the market has remained stable with visitor numbers for the year to date remaining over 20% ahead of the prior year. However, the group noted that the housing market continues to operate well below historical activity levels and warned that without improved availability of h
Read moreBovis excels in volatile week
20th Mar 2011 17:12
In a week that saw the FTSE 100 fall 4% at one stage, Bovis Homes stood up pretty well - adding 4% - backed by a well-received set of results on Monday that included a first dividend since 2008 and news of a decent start to 2011. Chief executive David Ritchie was in upbeat mood when I met him for l
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Aggreko, Bovis, Consort Medical...
15th Mar 2011 06:55
Aggreko, the temporary power provider, saw its shares climb 5.5% amid expectations that it will be called in to help supply electricity to Japan's embattled population following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. The company said it stood ready to equip the country with self-contained gas and
Read moreLondon close: Japanese concerns knock Footsie
14th Mar 2011 16:47
London closed near to its low for the day as a decline on Wall Street dragged the market lower later in the day and there were concerns about the possible effects of the Japanese earthquake on financial markets and global economies. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick o
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stuck lower as Japan casts shadow
14th Mar 2011 14:57
London's blue chips have turned lower again following falls on Wall Street as traders continue to mull the possible effects of the Japanese earthquake. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick of the mining sector. Also going well is temporary power solutions provider Aggrek
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Insurers mixed on quake impact
14th Mar 2011 14:07
Insurers Hiscox and Amlin were revealed to be broker Daniel Stewart's preferences within Lloyd's-based insurance stocks. Amlin is making gains, while Hiscox is heading the other way. Sector peer Catlin is also suffering a loss. The broker said that while the scale of the Japanese earthquake is inde
Read moreLondon midday: Blue chips turn lower on volatile day
14th Mar 2011 12:21
London's blue chips have turned lower again as investors await the US markets' reaction to Japan's devastating earthquake. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick of the mining sector. Also going well is temporary power solutions provider Aggreko, which may find its service
Read moreLondon open: Aggreko in demand in wake of earthquake
14th Mar 2011 08:47
Mining stocks are shoring up the Footsie but the blue-chip index is still in the red, despite the price of oil ebbing. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick of the mining sector. Also going well is temporary power solutions provider Aggreko, which may find its services c
Read moreLondon pre-open: Weaker trend continues
14th Mar 2011 07:35
London looks set to start the week slightly lower, with attention focused on the other side of the world and the events following the earthquake in Japan. City traders expect the Footsie to open around 20 points lower than its Friday close of 5,829. Housebuilder Bovis Homes didn't disappoint with
Read moreProfits surge at Bovis Homes
14th Mar 2011 06:41
Housebuilder Bovis Homes didn't disappoint with full-year results towards the top end of forecasts, a first dividend since 2008, and an "encouraging" start to the current year. It made a pre-tax profit of £18.5m, up from £7.5m in 2009, driven by higher volumes, price increases and cost cutting. Rev
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