Broker snap: Nomura scales back earnings estimates for FirstGroup
17th Aug 2011 12:11
While Nomura has kept hold of its current-year numbers for transport firm FirstGroup, the broker has scaled back its medium-term earnings estimates and in turn the target price, from 363p to 345p. Following the company's decision not to activate its extension period, the Great Western rail franchis
Read moreTransPennine franchise boost for FirstGroup
5th Aug 2011 08:49
Train and bus operator FirstGroup has had its franchise over the TransPennine Express rail route extended until April 2015. "We are delighted that the DfT (Department for Transport) has taken the decision to extend the First TransPennine Express franchise to 1 April 2015," chief executive Tim O' T
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Charter snubs Melrose's sweetened bid
15th Jul 2011 15:52
Upbeat earnings data helped boost investor sentiment, at a time when the financial markets were jittery over the outcome of the European banking stress test but the FTSE 250 fluctuated amid volatile trading and was largely in the red. Retailers and leisure companies dragged the index lower. Premier
Read moreRail growth just the ticket for Firstgroup
15th Jul 2011 08:21
Rail and bus company FirstGroup is quietly enjoying seeing the price of petrol go through the roof, as it is persuading more people to use its rail services. The group saw 8.5% year-on-year (yoy) like-for-like (lfl) growth in passenger revenues in its UK rail business in the second quarter of 2011,
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: SuperGroup's profits sparkle
13th Jul 2011 16:06
Trendy fashion retailer SuperGroup's shares rocketed on Wednesday in London after profits surged in the year ended 1 May. The group, famous for the Superdry brand, soared more than 19% and was the top performer on the FTSE 250 index. Also, engineering firm Morgan Crucible added more than 10% to it
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Prudential, Northbridge, FirstGroup
12th May 2011 06:54
It's not often a company says it wants to slow down a booming business but that's what Prudential said about its US Jackson Life operation yesterday. Prudential remains a great long-run investment in Asia's economic and demographic strengths but for those with a shorter horizon the US may prove some
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 back below 6,000
11th May 2011 16:51
After a calm start following good gains yesterday, shares took a sharp dive into the red as economic worries resurfaced. Despite a strong first start to the year, terrestrial broadcaster ITV, one of today's strugglers, has warned that it is facing tougher comparatives in the current quarter, meanin
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 pauses after rally
11th May 2011 12:13
Shares are seeking direction following yesterday's big gains, with stocks moving in both directions on the back of updates. Despite a strong first start to the year, terrestrial broadcaster ITV has warned that it is facing tougher comparatives in the current quarter, meaning that the firm could und
Read moreGreat Western exit hits FirstGroup
11th May 2011 10:43
Rail and bus operator FirstGroup has decided not to take up an option to extend the First Great Western franchise that operates between London and the west. The decision, which sees First Great Western exiting the franchise in 2013, three years early, results in a £59.9m charge that appears in its
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: easyJet gains altitude
6th May 2011 14:57
Budget airline easyJet is flying higher after better-than-expected passenger figures for April. The airline carried 4.72m passengers in April, up 35.1% from the 3.49m passengers in April 2010. Hotels group Millennium & Copthorne posted higher revenues and profits in the three months to 31 March, bu
Read moreCall for more competition on the buses
6th May 2011 09:48
The Competition Commission (CC) has spoken out at the UK bus industry, proposing that the market should be opened up to increase competition for the larger operators. The CC said that while there are some 1,245 bus companies across Britain, the majority of routes and local areas experience a "high
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Rail and bus groups in demand
5th May 2011 15:44
Go-Ahead, the rail and bus operator, saw shares rise after reporting that trading in the quarter to 2 April was strong, as passenger numbers rose by 7.2%. Sector peer National Express is also firmer after saying that is on track for an improved financial performance in 2011 after seeing good growth
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: NHS reforms, Japanese car firms ...
3rd Apr 2011 18:10
Prime Minister David Cameron is drawing up key changes to the flagship Health and Social Care Bill which will see his reorganisation of the National Health Service (NHS) watered down. As the Sunday Telegraph explains, Cameron´s new approach may see a moderation in the pace at which market forces a
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: C&W Worldwide plummets on 2012 guidance
24th Mar 2011 14:54
C&W Worldwide is doing its best the pull the index lower, falling over 15% after it issued its second profit warning within a year. The telecoms titan now expects flat earnings next year compared with earlier market forecasts of an increase of over £20m from £444m to £470m. The best performing stoc
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market consolidates gains
24th Mar 2011 14:24
Footsie has maintained most of its gains from the morning but there are signs that it is running out of steam even though Wall Street opened in positive territory. Wall Street has been heading lower since the start and it is only just still in positive territory. The two large earthquakes in Bu
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