London close: Resurgent Footsie breaches 5,500 points
3rd Mar 2010 16:52
A good start on Wall Street helped jolt Footsie out of its sluggish start, helping the leading share index close above 5,500 points for the first time since January. Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered, the only FTSE 100 company to deliver results today, led the way after it defiantly said it will
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie ambles into positive territory
3rd Mar 2010 13:56
The blue-chip index moved into positive territory over the lunchtime trading session helped by expectations of a firm start on Wall Street. Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered, the only FTSE 100 company to deliver results today, defiantly said it will pay its executives bonuses after another recor
Read moreLondon midday: Market remains mixed
3rd Mar 2010 11:51
The market's indecision this morning was typified by the insurance sector where the blue-chip index's best and worst performers were to be found. RSA Insurance is the weakest blue-chip after the company said yesterday that it expects to make around £30m in payouts as a result of the Chilean earthqu
Read moreCare UK rises after Bridgepoint offer
3rd Mar 2010 08:54
Shares in Care UK surged over 7% after Bridgepoint Capital said it would buy the health and social care provider for £281m or 450p per share. Commenting on the offer Senior Independent Director of Care UK Michael Averill said, "The Proposals represent an opportunity for Care UK Shareholders to rea
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Enterprise Inns, Serco, Wellstream
18th Nov 2009 06:36
It has been a fairly depressing year for the pub industry and one of the sector's biggest operators, Enterprise Inns, did little to lift the gloom yesterday. The UK's second-biggest pub operator, which has 7,399 leased and tenanted pubs, said pre-tax profits tumbled by 95% to £11m for the year to
Read moreCare UK posts 7% rise in full-year profit
17th Nov 2009 13:01
Health and social care provider Care UK reported a 7% rise in full-year operating profit and a 13% drop in net debt. Adjusted operating profit, before non-recurring items and amortisation and impairment charges, increased to £38.9m compared with £36.4m last time on revenue, including share of joint
Read moreLondon close: Best ever quarterly gain for Footsie
30th Sep 2009 17:00
Wall Street fell out of bed at the start of its trading day after the release of disappointing business activity data and London quickly followed the US market downwards. However, a rally in the last half hour ensured that the FTSE 100 enjoyed its best ever quarterly percentage gain since the index
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still lacking direction
30th Sep 2009 14:20
Footsie has continued its recent sluggish run, with company updates pulling the leading share index in both directions, but remains set for a record quarterly gain. Hedge fund manger Man is the best performer after a bullish trading update. "Investor sentiment is continuing to improve across the in
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 on course for record quarter
30th Sep 2009 12:13
Footsie still looks on course for a record quarterly gain, but early strong rises have been whittled away ahead of the US open. Hedge fund manger Man is the best performer after a bullish trading update. "Investor sentiment is continuing to improve across the industry, the performance outlook is h
Read moreLondon open: Early gains for Footsie
30th Sep 2009 08:47
Footsie has shrugged off a sluggish performance in the US overnight and is now pushing ahead again. Hedge fund manger Man is the best performer after a bullish trading update. "Investor sentiment is continuing to improve across the industry, the performance outlook is healthy and the prospects for
Read moreBridgepoint confirms Care UK talks
30th Sep 2009 08:12
Care UK could be on the end of a management buy-out after private equity firm Bridgepoint confirmed this morning it was in talks. 'Bridgepoint Capital Limited notes the recent press speculation in relation to its interest in Care UK and confirms that it has had preliminary discussions with the Boar
Read moreLondon close: Late rally leaves Footsie little changed
19th Aug 2009 17:14
Share prices of London's leading stocks closed mixed, thanks to a late rally, after the market had spent most of the day in retreat. ENRC was the day's star performer despite reporting a 63% slide in pre-tax profits for the first half of 2009. The dividend has been cut in half but investors were e
Read moreLondon afternoon: Lloyds provides some cheer
19th Aug 2009 14:14
The bears are back in command today with the blue-chip index in the red, though the size of the decline has been exacerbated by a number of index constituents trading in ex-dividend form. Former Bank of Ireland governor Richard Burrows is to be the new chairman of Lucky Strike maker British Americ
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stable at lower levels
19th Aug 2009 11:54
Equities are back on the slide again today with little hope of a boost from the other side of the Atlantic where the Dow Jones 30 is expected to open around 80 points lower. ENRC is a bright spot despite reporting a 63% slide in pre-tax profits for the first half of 2009. The dividend has been cut
Read morePublic sector squeeze hits Care UK
19th Aug 2009 08:52
Health and social care provider Care UK is feeling the pinch of local authorities and primary care trusts adapting to the tough economic climate by tightening criteria for the placement and funding of services. The firm said its Community Care division has not seen the usual increase in activities
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