London afternoon: Back in the blue
27th Aug 2009 14:27
The London stock market continues its see-saw day, moving back into positive territory over the lunch-time session. Some encouragement was drawn from the CBI's distributive trades survey which found that the balance of retailers expecting a deterioration in their general business situation over the
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie sinks into the red
27th Aug 2009 12:08
Having enjoyed a brief sojourn above the 4900 level Footsie is now in negative territory, weighed down by poor performing financial stocks. Banks, insurers and properties are all being given the cold shoulder though Royal Bank of Scotland is an exception after Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted its pri
Read moreComputacenter profits up despite lower revenues
27th Aug 2009 08:04
Computacenter, the IT infrastructure services provider, saw profits rise for the half-year despite revenues slipping 2.2% due to the challenging economic conditions. The group said it made profits of £12m, up 9%, due to cost reduction, growth in contractual services and exiting from businesses that
Read moreFriday tips round-up: AB Foods, Premier Oil, Croda
10th Jul 2009 06:42
John Bason, finance director at AB Foods, says that Primark has changed the face of retailing on the high street. And who can disagree, after Primark posted a 21% jump in sales in the quarter to 20 June, especially with many competitors slipping into administration. There was similarly good news i
Read moreContractual services drive Computacenter
9th Jul 2009 08:20
Computacenter cheered the City Thursday when it said its interim profits will be ahead of current market expectations. The IT services group said it has seen solid growth of 10% in its Contractual Services revenue, while costs have reduced significantly. On the down side the trend is for its cust
Read moreLondon close: Good gains for FTSE 100
5th Jun 2009 17:00
Footsie finished with good gains Friday as buoyancy in the mining sector and economic optimism from the US cancelled out the effects of continued political uncertainty here. Mining stocks were at the forefront of the advance on the back of strong metal prices and excitement at closer ties between h
Read moreLondon afternoon: Wall Street boost for London
5th Jun 2009 14:22
London's rise has been given extra impetus by expectations of a strong opening on Wall Street in the wake of better than expected US first-time jobless claims. Mining stocks continue to be at the forefront of the advance on the back of strong metal prices and excitement at closer ties between heavy
Read moreLondon close: Footsie ends on low note
15th May 2009 16:29
London closed lower after a lacklustre afternoon session with losses on properties and travel companies outweighing gains on miners. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday still cast a shadow over the real estate investment trusts (REITs). LandSecs leads the sector lowe
Read moreLondon afternoon: Travel companies trip Footsie
15th May 2009 14:10
London continues its gentle downward drift, with losses on properties and travel companies outweighing gains on miners. The market seems unlikely to get any sort of lift from Wall Street which is expected to open moderately weaker. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Renishaw in focus
15th May 2009 13:41
Microscope maker Renishaw says cost cutting will offset the impact of tough market conditions and claims an operating loss for the second half is expected to be "somewhat less" than the £10m flagged in March. The company, which supplies microscopes, scanning probes and other devices, has already a
Read moreLondon midday: Rally stalls
15th May 2009 12:15
Weak properties and oils have pitched the Footsie into the red, despite the continued strength of banks and miners. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday are still casting a shadow over the real estate investment trusts (REITs). LandSecs leads the sector lower but Hammer
Read moreLondon open: Banks give Footsie a boost
15th May 2009 08:48
Banks have helped Footsie make a bright start with reports that Barclays is considering new offers for its iShares arm boosting the whole sector. Barclays may backtrack on a deal to sell its iShares unit to CVC, the private equity group, and instead offload its entire asset management division for
Read moreComputacenter sees higher profits
15th May 2009 07:20
IT services company Computacenter said it expects first half profit to be well ahead of the same period the previous year after seeing strong trading in the first four months of 2009. "While much remains to be done in the remaining eight months of the year we are encouraged by this positive start t
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