London pre-open: Stocks to creep higher
29th Sep 2009 07:39
Three-figure gains in the US overnight are set to help London add about 5 points early on, according to futures prices. A pick-up in merger and acquisition activity was behind Wall Street's advance, but much of the rally has been priced in over here already. On the companies front, contract cater
Read moreCompass happy with fourth quarter
29th Sep 2009 07:12
Contract caterer Compass reports trading has gone well in the fourth quarter with underlying earnings to be up by around 14% on a constant currency basis. Margins are expected to be up 70 basis points in the fourth quarter to September and approximately 60 basis points in the full year as cost savi
Read moreTuesday preview: Compass, Daily Mail, Close Brothers
28th Sep 2009 14:54
Investors will be looking for signs of life in the advertising market, which contributes around 30% of group revenues, in the trading statement from newspaper publisher Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) on Tuesday. Comparative figures for a year ago are soft so the company should be able to repor
Read moreReckitt appoints Compass chief to board
23rd Sep 2009 15:07
The boss of caterer Compass is joining Reckitt Benckiser as a non-executive director to replace David Tyler who's leaving for the chairman's role at Sainsbury's. Richard Cousins, who was also on the board of HBOS during the credit crisis, will take up his role at the household products firm on 1 Oc
Read moreLondon close: Ten out of ten for Footsie
24th Jul 2009 17:13
The FTSE 100 index made it ten days of rises in a row, despite tailing off towards the close as investors looked to bank profits ahead of the week-end. It capped the best rally by the blue-chip index in five years. The rise was achieved despite dismal gross domestic product data. UK output contract
Read moreLondon afternoon: Financials find favour
24th Jul 2009 14:11
Footsie eased back a little over the lunchtime session but thanks to firm financials the blue-chip index continues to shrug off this morning's gloomy data on gross domestic product (GDP). UK output contracted 0.8% between April and June after a 2.4% decline in the first quarter, according to the Of
Read moreBroker tips: Vodafone, Compass, Housebuilders
24th Jul 2009 11:55
Friday's quarterly trading update from telecoms giant Vodafone contained nothing worrying enough to persuade Morgan Stanley to changes its favourable stance on the stock. The US bank has maintained its "overweight" recommendation for Vodafone, saying the "valuation thesis remains compelling." "Und
Read moreLondon midday: London shrugs off GDP shock
24th Jul 2009 11:54
After a shaky opening the market is moving steadily ahead, despite receiving a jolt from much worse than expected gross domestic product (GDP) figures. Output contracted 0.8% between April and June after a 2.4% decline in the first quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics' flash est
Read moreBroker snap: Margin growth the key at Compass
24th Jul 2009 10:57
Swiss bank UBS is mystified by the adverse reaction to yesterday's trading statement from catering group Compass, and reckons fears over revenue growth are misplaced. Echoing a view expressed yesterday by broker Charles Stanley, UBS believes that margin improvement will enable Compass to hit its pr
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Kingfisher, Colt Telecom, Capita
24th Jul 2009 06:44
Kingfisher issued its second-quarter trading update yesterday, topping most analysts' expectations. With the Office for National Statistics also saying yesterday that retail sales rose in June, the group should be feeling confident about the rest of the year. Kingfisher probably deserves a small pr
Read moreLondon close: US surge extends Footsie's winning streak
23rd Jul 2009 16:32
Footsie's winning streak extended to nine days as US markets surged ahead on better than expected June home sales and forecast-busting results from a number of US household names. Trading had been quiet up until mid-afternoon, but as soon as the US markets started to pick up buyers returned in earn
Read moreBroker tips: Compass, Yell, PartyGaming
23rd Jul 2009 13:11
The share price of caterer Compass Group was looking decidedly soggy Thursday morning after a disappointing interim management statement but broker Charles Stanley reckons the share price fall makes the case for purchasing the shares even more compelling. "The share price has reacted adversely to t
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Compass hit by sales slow down
23rd Jul 2009 12:50
Contract caterer Compass Group slumped after a disappointing interim management statement but broker Charles Stanley reckons the share price fall makes the case for purchasing the shares even more compelling. "The share price has reacted adversely to the Q3 update but we believe that the only disa
Read moreBroker snap: Compass should be pointing north
23rd Jul 2009 12:47
The share price of caterer Compass Group was looking decidedly soggy Thursday morning after a disappointing interim management statement but broker Charles Stanley reckons the share price fall makes the case for purchasing the shares even more compelling. "The share price has reacted adversely to t
Read moreLondon midday: OfWat report dilutes equity strength
23rd Jul 2009 11:54
The Footsie's eight day winning streak is in danger of coming to an end today as utility companies weigh down the blue-chip index after water regulator Ofwat outlined proposals for lower water bills. The water regulator's draft proposals would see the average annual water bill fall by £14 to £330 b
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