FTSE 100 Movers: BAE flies high after dividend boost
28th Jul 2011 08:23
Shares in BAE Systems were wanted after the firm boosted its interim dividend and announced a £500m share repurchase program. For the six months ended 30 June, the defence group reported a 13% drop in sales, saying that the fall was in line with expectations. Headline revenue was £9.2bn, compared
Read moreCompass's profit hit by Japan, sales strong
28th Jul 2011 08:04
Catering giant Compass has maintained its expectations for the full year after "another good performance" in the third quarter, after absorbing the impact of the tragic events in Japan. Revenues at constant currency grew by over 8% in the three months ended 30 June (including the contribution from
Read moreThursday preview: Shell, Astra, Compass
27th Jul 2011 17:46
Investment analysts are going to need a plentiful supply of pencils and rubber erasers on Thursday for what is possibly the busiest day of the year so far for big company updates. Companies scheduled to update the market include AstraZeneca, BAE Systems, BT Group, Centrica, Croda International, Inc
Read moreCompass completes Turkish acquisition
13th Jul 2011 16:30
The world's largest caterer, Compass, has completed the acquisition of the remaining shares in its Turkish joint venture Sofra. In May Compass group announced it had agreed to acquire the remaining 50% of the issued share capital which it did not already own in Sofra subject to the go-ahead from Tu
Read moreLondon close: Footsie finishes well below 5,700
23rd Jun 2011 16:39
The Footsie steadily declined to finish below the 5,700 level on Thursday after last night's message from the Federal Reserve which highlighted its caution over the economic recovery in the US. While also cutting his forecasts for US growth, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke signalled the end of its second
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners unwanted as metals prices drop
23rd Jun 2011 16:14
Miners dominated the fallers of the FTSE 100 on Thursday afternoon as commodity prices took a tumble. Vedanta Resources, ENRC, Kazakhmys and Xstrata are among the top ten worst performers, tracking copper, gold and silver futures lower. Just five stocks are making gains, British Sky Broadcasting b
Read moreCompass buys Hong Kong caterer
23rd Jun 2011 07:04
Catering giant Compass Group has strengthened its existing food services business with the Education and Business & Industry sectors in Hong Kong with a bolt-on acquisition. The UK firm is acquiring Shing Hin Catering Group from Au-Yeung Kwan for an undisclosed sum. Shing Hin Catering generated an
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Compass, Oilex, Experian...
19th May 2011 06:40
There is little to complain about in Compass's first-half figures, which indicate that the world's biggest caterer is moving forward on all fronts. But it is fast approaching a point where it has to take some strategic decisions over the balance sheet. Britain and continental Europe are looking deci
Read moreLondon close: Strong finish as stocks recover
18th May 2011 16:38
Stocks rebounded sharply from the previous day's losses and remained strong at trading's close. Property giant Land Securities towered above the rest of the FTSE 100 after it posted a sharp rise in profits and net asset value in the year to 31 March and predicted continued growth as the recovery pr
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Real estate stocks on the rise
18th May 2011 14:54
Property giant Land Securities is towering above the rest of the FTSE 100 after it posted a sharp rise in profits and net asset value in the year to 31 March and predicted continued growth as the recovery proceeds. Pre-tax profits climbed to £1.227bn from £1.069bn the previous year, while the net as
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks keep gains
18th May 2011 12:10
Stocks are holding onto their gains after a strong start. Property giant Land Securities towering above the rest of the FTSE 100 after it posted a sharp rise in profits and net asset value in the year to 31 March and predicted continued growth as the recovery proceeds. Pre-tax profits climbed to £1
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rally after Wall Street recovery
18th May 2011 08:40
The top share index has rallied following the recovery on Wall Street ahead of the close last night. Property giant Land Securities towering above the rest of the FTSE 100 after it posted a sharp rise in profits and net asset value in the year to 31 March and predicted continued growth as the recov
Read moreCompass beats expectations
18th May 2011 07:30
Catering giant Compass posted a sharp rise in pre-tax profits in the six months to 31 March as it expanded in overseas markets while continuing to implement margin-boosting efficiency measures. Pre-tax profits climbed to £531m from £462m the previous year on revenues that climbed to £7.873bn from £
Read moreWednesday preview: Compass, Cineworld, BoE minutes
17th May 2011 17:59
Contract caterer Compass hopes to be turning up the heat with its interim results on Wednesday. Broker Charles Stanley forecasts pre-tax profits of £510m, up from £462m last year, and EPS of 20p, up from 18p at the interim stage in 2010. The broker has pencilled in 6p for the interim dividend, up
Read moreWeek Ahead: Vodafone, Compass, BoE minutes
13th May 2011 11:49
Vodafone has edged ahead of BP as Britain's third largest company by market value, after a good run over the last year, driven by the company's programme of selling off minority stakes in non-core businesses. On Tuesday, the telecoms giant brings out full year results, with the market expecting pro
Read more