London open: Calm continues after rally
5th Jul 2011 08:27
London's leading share index remains becalmed having rallied strongly last week following the Greek parliament's vote in favour of austerity measures. In company news, most interest is to be found in the mid-cap index. N Brown, the FTSE-250 online and catalogue retail firm is wanted after total gro
Read moreN Brown gets a kick from underwear
5th Jul 2011 07:36
Online and overseas sales are playing an increasingly important part in the growth story of N Brown Group, the FTSE-250 online and catalogue retail firm. Total group revenue increased 5.1 percent in the 18 weeks to July 2nd this year. On a like-for-like basis (adjusting for its new lingerie outfit
Read moreLondon close: Stocks soar past 6,000 points
10th May 2011 16:36
The top share index put its recent jittery performance behind it as hopes the Greek debt situation could move towards a solution buoyed equities. There was also a raft of company updates for traders to digest. Pace plunged after the set-top box maker lowered its full-year profits guidance. The sha
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Profit warnings batter Pace's share price
10th May 2011 15:29
The share price of set-top box maker Pace has taken a battering since the company announced its first quarter results on Tuesday morning, in which it lowered its guidance for the full year. The group said costs have been increased by the need to build up inventory levels ahead of schedule to ensur
Read moreBroker tips: Rank, Thomas Cook, N Brown
10th May 2011 12:33
Credit Suisse highlights an "attractive story" and "sensible valuation" at casino and bingo hall operator Rank, but keeps its 'neutral' stance saying that the stock is lacking near-term catalysts. Last week, Guoco acquired an additional 11.6% shareholding, taking its stake to 40.8% and forcing a ma
Read moreBroker snap: Solid year for N Brown
10th May 2011 12:32
Solid final results from internet and catalogue home shopping company N Brown have led Peel Hunt to raise its target price from 300p to 340p. A 5% year-on-year increase in pre-tax profit to £98.2m was £0.5m ahead of the broker's forecast, "driven by acquisition, organic growth and carrying internat
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 back above 6,000
10th May 2011 12:06
Shares have moved past the 6,000 point mark with well-received company results helping to power the advance. But Pace has plunged after the set-top box maker lowered its full-year profits guidance. The shares are down nearly 40% after it said the board now expects operating profit to be in the rang
Read moreN Brown raises dividend as profits grow 5.5%
10th May 2011 09:58
Full-year profits at internet and catalogue home shopping company N Brown came in ahead of expectations, helped by the first-time contribution from lingerie retailer Figleaves, prompting the group to hike its dividend by 15%. Pre-tax profit (before fair value adjustments to financial instruments) f
Read moreTuesday preview: IMPs, IHG, N. Brown
9th May 2011 20:00
Cigarettes maker Imperial Tobacco (IMPs) has already tipped the wink about revenue growth for the first half of its financial year back in March, so focus will be on earnings and current trading when it releases its interim results. Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation are expected to ris
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Greggs, Vodafone, Moneysupermarket
13th Jan 2011 06:29
Britain's biggest bakery chain Greggs shrugged off the effects of the big freeze, reporting trading over Christmas that was stronger than expected, with a 3.5% rise in sales, or 0.6% on a like-for-like basis, over the five-week period. The current valuation of 11 times 2011's projected profits fairl
Read moreLondon close: More gains for FTSE 100
12th Jan 2011 16:43
Strong financial and mining stocks helped to drive the top share index higher Wednesday, while M&A activity and company updates had some FTSE 250 constituents soaring. HSBC went well, helped by a "buy" recommendation from Barclays Capital, but fellow banks Standard Chartered and Barclays were also
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: SuperGroup powers ahead after impressive Christmas
12th Jan 2011 15:24
Trendy fashion retailer SuperGroup is surging Wednesday following its best ever Christmas, almost doubling retail sales during the nine weeks to 2 January. Retail sales grew 93.6% during the period to £51.7m and wholesale sales were up 77.8% at £13.4m, making a 90.1% increase in total sales to £65
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners and banks lead the advance
12th Jan 2011 14:35
Footsie is continuing to keep its head above water, not to mention 6,000, but it is largely thanks to the strength of miners and financial stocks, with the latter in demand after Portugal's bond auction proved relatively successful. HSBC is the best performing financial, helped by a "buy" recommend
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks add more gains
12th Jan 2011 12:07
Miners continue to keep the FTSE 100 in the blue, adding to yesterday's gains, while three stocks in the FTSE 250 are posting triple-digit gains. Supermarket giant J Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of customers desp
Read moreLondon open: Early gains for blue chips
12th Jan 2011 08:50
London has pushed on again in early dealings with miners leading the way and a mixed morning so far for retailers. Supermarket giant J Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of customers despite the snow. Like for like sa
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