London close: Footsie highest in over a week
8th Oct 2009 16:33
Stocks ran out of steam mid-afternoon, trading as near to Wednesday's close as they had done all day, but strength on Wall Street inspired a late rally here. The top stocks were still mining companies as metal prices continued their march higher. Gold futures neared $1,060 an ounce as the dollar co
Read moreLondon afternoon: Equities in consolidation phase
8th Oct 2009 14:42
London's leading shares continued to trade sideways over the lunchtime session, consolidating the morning's gains. Mining stocks are responsible for much of the Footsie's buoyancy with Xstrata, ENRC, Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Anglo American and BHP Billiton all going well. Vedanta is also on the u
Read moreC&C profits fall as drinkers cut back
8th Oct 2009 08:27
Magners cider maker C&C reported a 10.5% fall in revenues and profits during the six months to August 31 as drinkers saved money during the tough economic climate by imbibing at home rather than in bars. Revenues for the period fell to €257.5m from €287.7m and pre-tax profits dropped to €57.4m from
Read moreLondon close: BAE dives after contract setback
27th Aug 2009 17:15
After dithering for much of the day London ended in arrears, falling for the second day in succession. A weak opening by Wall Street sent the Footsie into decline in the afternoon session and a late swoon by BAE Systems ensured there was no way back to the high ground for the blue-chip index. Shar
Read moreC&C profits to be at upper end
27th Aug 2009 15:06
Long suffering shareholders in slumping Magners cider maker C&C got some good news Thursday when the company said operating profit for the current year will be at the top end of market expectations. The company, which embarrassingly had to own up to an accounting error in June which led to it erron
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 moreNumbers all wrong at C&C
13th Jul 2009 07:40
Magners cider group C&C has revealed the upturn in sales it reported earlier in the month was down to an accounting error and that the real picture is much worse. Instead of the previously stated 3% increase in like-for-like sales in the four months to June, the total was in fact a 5% decline on a
Read moreSector movers: Oil service stocks in demand
30th Jun 2009 10:53
Oil services stocks are going well after Petrofac said it has made a good start to the year and is confident 2009 will be another year of strong growth. Petrofac itself is slightly in the red though. Engineer Bateman Litwin is the top riser, helped by higher oil prices, with the price of a barrel o
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Serco, Babcock, Stobart
13th May 2009 06:52
Outsource group Serco said yesterday that 2009 has started strongly and that it is on track to meet full-year expectations. The group trades at a deserved premium. The shares have come off a little since December, which now makes Serco a better punt. Buy says the Independent. There are some compell
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
12th May 2009 16:28
There was no shortage of company news to give Footsie direction but the index ended the day little changed as downbeat banks offset well-received updates. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclayseased after Credit Suisse suggested the margins of UK banks will come under pressure.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Back in the blue
12th May 2009 14:11
In keeping with the day's topsy-turvy theme, the Footsie is back in positive territory, despite the weakness of banks and miners. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays are all easier after Credit Suisse suggested the margins of UK banks will come under pressure. In the mining
Read moreC&C falls into losses on lower cider sales
12th May 2009 09:41
Magners cider maker C&C Group slumped into losses and cut dividends as it was weighed by exceptional losses and a fall in cider sales in both Ireland and Britain. The group also said trading in the first 10 weeks of the new year was mixed. On a constant currency basis, overall revenues were flat ye
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