London open: Dull start to the week
13th Jul 2009 08:43
London's blue chips have made a slow start to the week despite a small burst of takeover activity. A deal could be on the cards between insurance group Resolution and Friends Provident after Clive Cowdery's new vehicle said it has received "constructive feedback" from the board of Friends over its
Read moreLondon pre-open: Losses on the cards
13th Jul 2009 07:37
Investors remain nervous following further losses on Wall Street Friday and as the US earnings season starts to hot up. Futures prices indicate an early deficit of about 14 points for the FTSE 100. Oil and gas firm Venture Production today rejected last Friday's 845p-a-share hostile cash bid from
Read moreExperian hit by UK slide
13th Jul 2009 07:09
A slump in the UK and Ireland sent revenues tumbling by 8% in the three months to June at credit checker Experian. Sales in Britain and Ireland crashed by 22%, with falls also recorded in North America (2%), Latin America (9%), and emerging markets (8%). The picture was better stripping out the im
Read moreLondon midday: Miners give Footsie a leg-up
24th Jun 2009 11:59
Leading shares remain mixed with a moderately firmer bias, thanks largely to a buoyant mining sector. Anglo American is the best performer on rumours that Xstrata's merger approach has alerted Vale from Brazil and Rio Tinto's erstwhile partner Chinalco to the possibility that a deal could be done.
Read moreLondon open: Footsie marks time
24th Jun 2009 08:34
Early gains for the blue chip index have been pulled back by the combination of ex-dividend reductions and a gloomy results statement from Comet owner Kesa. Anglo American is the best performer on rumours that Xstrata's merger approach has alerted Vale from Brazil and Rio Tinto's erstwhile partner
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Experian, Britvic, Cape
21st May 2009 06:07
Experian may sit in the support services sector but its share price - up 80 per cent from last year's low - makes it look more like a bank. At 493p, up 7p, or 12 times current-year earnings, the shares have begun to price in recovery but should advance further as economic signals improve. Buy on wea
Read moreBroker tips: Experian, pub groups, Debenhams
20th May 2009 12:40
Credit checking group Experian's own credit-worthiness is looking better after the company surprised the market with the amount of cash it generated in the second half of its financial year. Broker Charles Stanley said the pre-tax profits of $843m were ahead of market consensus of $805m, but 'the b
Read moreBroker snap: Cash flow a pleasant surprise at Experian
20th May 2009 12:36
Credit checking group Experian's own credit-worthiness is looking better after the company surprised the market with the amount of cash it generated in the second half of its financial year. Broker Charles Stanley said the pre-tax profits of $843m were ahead of market consensus of $805m, but 'the b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Experian boosts its own credit-worthiness
20th May 2009 11:44
Credit checking group Experian has pushed on after brokers' warmed to its latest trading update, saying that its own credit-worthiness is looking better than expected on the the amount of cash it generated in the second half of last year. Broker Charles Stanley said the pre-tax profits of $843m wer
Read moreLondon opening: Footsie opens quietly
20th May 2009 08:40
Wall Street's weaker tone is being echoed in London with blue chips struggling to make headway. Credit checking firm Experian hailed its revenue and profit growth last year despite exceptionally difficult market conditions. Revenue rose to $3,873m in the year to 31 March 2009 from $3,789m a year ea
Read moreLondon pre-open: Equities to follow Wall St. lower
20th May 2009 07:43
Wall Street's weaker tone looks set to be echoed in London at the outset, with City sources expecting the FTSE 100 index to open around 18 points down from last night's close of 4,482. Credit checking firm Experian hailed its revenue and profit growth last year despite exceptionally difficult marke
Read moreOrganic growth slows at Experian
20th May 2009 07:18
Credit checking firm Experian saw revenue and profit growth last year despite exceptionally difficult market conditions. Revenue rose to $3,873m in the year to 31 March 2009 from $3,789m a year earlier. Revenue from continuing activities was up 8% at constant exchange rates, while organic revenue g
Read moreWednesday preview: Mothercare, Experian, Britvic
19th May 2009 15:28
Back in the last century Mothercare was an ailing brand, lumbering along as part of Storehouse, the group which also included British Home Stores. Since returning to the stock market as an independent entity the babycare products retailer has transformed itself into a high flyer, with the shares tra
Read moreLondon close: Footsie ends on low note
15th May 2009 16:29
London closed lower after a lacklustre afternoon session with losses on properties and travel companies outweighing gains on miners. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday still cast a shadow over the real estate investment trusts (REITs). LandSecs leads the sector lowe
Read moreLondon afternoon: Travel companies trip Footsie
15th May 2009 14:10
London continues its gentle downward drift, with losses on properties and travel companies outweighing gains on miners. The market seems unlikely to get any sort of lift from Wall Street which is expected to open moderately weaker. Shocking figures from property giant Land Securities on Wednesday
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