London pre-open: Sizzling start in store
24th May 2010 07:40
The sun is shining in London and it looks like the stock market will make a similarly bright start to the week with traders expecting the FTSE 100 to open around 30 points higher. South African platinum miner Lonmin's plans to get its Number One furnace back fully on line have hit a snag that will
Read moreCranswick serves up tasty profits
24th May 2010 07:13
Pork products supplier Cranswick delivered a 26% surge in annual pre-tax profit and said it is encouraged by the positive start made in the current financial year. The group, which is focusing on food production after the sale of its pet business, said pre-tax profit rose to £43.8m for the year end
Read moreWeek Ahead: M&S, Invensys, Cranswick
21st May 2010 09:23
The last week of May sees the two parts of recently demerged Cable & Wireless report as independent entities for the first time while the trickle of results from utility companies continues with Pennon Group and Severn Trent, but it is the results announcement from retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S)
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Compass, Chesnara, Topps Tiles
1st Apr 2010 06:56
It is caterer Compass's push into running more than just canteens for its customers that could provide the next leg-up. It wants to handle other support services, too, such as cleaning, laundry and reception services, and with annual cash generation of £500 million and net debt of less that £1bn,
Read moreLondon close: Footsie takes a late tumble
30th Mar 2010 16:55
A late dive in line with a slide into the red on Wall Street sent shares lower ahead of the close. US stocks were hit by worries over the sovereign debt situation. The retreat came as rating agency Standard & Poors cut Iceland's rating and after subdued demand for an auction of 12-year Greek debt.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie seeking direction
30th Mar 2010 14:20
Footsie is still marking time as gains in the mining sector struggle to offset losses among banking stocks. Mining giant BHP Billiton is higher after saying it has successfully persuaded several of its iron ore customers in Asia to move to shorter term contracts. The renegotiated contracts cover th
Read moreLondon midday: Equities mark time
30th Mar 2010 12:01
Footsie finished the morning little changed despite a strong showing from the mining sector. Mining giant BHP Billiton is higher after saying it has successfully persuaded several of its iron ore customers in Asia to move to shorter term contracts. The renegotiated contracts cover the majority of B
Read moreLondon open: Miners push Footsie higher
30th Mar 2010 08:55
London has started on a firm footing and is heading for its best month in decades with mining stocks in focus with BHP Billiton and Kazakhmys both making announcements. Mining giant BHP Billiton has successfully persuaded several of its iron ore customers in Asia to move to shorter term contracts.
Read moreCranswick sees results at upper end
30th Mar 2010 07:51
Sausages, bacon and pork maker Cranswick expects its full-year trading performance to be towards the upper end of market forecasts. Total sales for the year were 22% higher than last time, excluding sales from the pet business which was sold in April 2009. The increase reflects organic growth of 11
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Ryanair, Xstrata, Cranswick
2nd Feb 2010 06:54
Fares on flights will have to rise if the company is going to hit its targets, that's the warning issued by Michael O'Leary's Ryanair yesterday. This is, obviously, better news for investors than it is for its customers. Currently, 11% of intra-European traffic is transported on the Ryanair fleet a
Read moreLondon close: Water groups lift Footsie
1st Feb 2010 16:43
Bid speculation helped Footsie to a good start to the week, with water groups in focus. Northumbrian Water spurted higher on reports a Canadian pension fund is poised to bid. Sector peers United Utilities, Pennon Water and Severn Trent rise in sympathy. JP Morgan, which was named two weeks ago as
Read moreLondon afternoon: Blue chips boosted by bid chatter
1st Feb 2010 14:19
US futures point to a good start on Wall Street, with the Dow tipped to add over 60 points in early trading. It's helped London's blue chips move ahead further with water companies the stand-out sector. Northumbrian Water has spurted higher on reports a Canadian pension fund is poised to bid. Secto
Read moreLondon midday: Water companies float higher
1st Feb 2010 11:57
The FTSE 100 ended a quiet morning session marginally in positive territory, helped by some speculative attention focused on utility companies. Northumbrian Water has spurted higher on reports a Canadian pension fund is poised to bid. Sector peers United Utilities, Pennon Water and Severn Trent ris
Read moreLondon open: Footsie starts flat
1st Feb 2010 09:07
London's blue chips have opened flat with utilities and airlines the bright spots on bid and recovery talk respectively. Irish no-frills airline Ryanair's third quarter loss came in lower than expected and it upped its profit estimate for the full year as new routes meant yields fall by less than
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie to open down
1st Feb 2010 07:33
London's blue chips are expected to open slightly lower, with traders forecasting down 24 points in early dealings. Irish no-frills airline Ryanair's third quarter loss came in lower than expected and it upped its profit estimate for the full year as new routes meant yields fall by less than expect
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