Broker snap: FirstGroup's results 'reassuringly in line'
3rd Nov 2010 10:43
KBC Peel Hunt retains a 'hold' on FirstGroup after the bus and train group released its half yearly report Wednesday. Results were closely in line with the broker's forecast with pre-tax profit up 14% at £77.7m (forecast £78m), and earnings per share increase of 16% to 10.4p. "The company remains
Read moreLondon open: Markets waits on Fed decision
3rd Nov 2010 08:50
Leading shares are mixed in London as traders get to grips with the implications of yesterday's US mid-term election results. The Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, but not the Senate, raising the prospect of the next two years of President Obama's tenure in the White House
Read moreFirstGroup drives profit higher
3rd Nov 2010 07:43
Bus and train group FirstGroup revealed a 14% increase in first half profit, driven by continued strength at its UK rail and bus businesses. Pre-tax profit increased to £77.7m for the six months ended 30 September compared to £68m previously. Sales rose 4% to £3.07bn during the period. FirstGroup a
Read moreWednesday preview: Next, FirstGroup, 888, Service PMI
2nd Nov 2010 16:29
Fashion chain Next is scheduled to make an interim management statement on Wednesday. Panmure Gordon is forecasting a year on year decline of 1.0% in like for like retail sales in the third quarter, but the Next Directory should see a rise of about 8.0%. The Next Directory projection "compares w
Read moreLondon close: Footsie shrugs off spending cuts
20th Oct 2010 16:51
A strong performance on Wall Street breathed life back into Footsie after the leading share index suffered a weak spell following the Compehensive Spending Review (CSR). One sector to give the CSR the thumbs up was bus companies such as Stagecoach, Go-Ahead, FirstGroup and National Express. The sub
Read moreFirstGroup allowed to scrap Scottish bus routes
12th Oct 2010 07:22
Bus and train group FirstGroup will be allowed to scrap seven bus routes in Glasgow and Edinburgh and modify eight others after the Competition Commission decided there was little chance of them becoming profitable. FirstGroup took on the routes when it won the Scottish Rail franchise in 2004. The
Read moreSunday press tips: Avocet, FirstGroup, Sage, perpetual bonds
3rd Oct 2010 14:15
Gold is an essential part of any portfolio, suggests the Sunday Telegraph's Questor, but the best time to buy the metal itself is when the price has dipped, which is clearly not the case at the moment. In Questor's view the best way to play gold at the moment is to buy gold companies that are inc
Read moreLondon close: Lower finish after sluggish day
29th Sep 2010 16:39
Footsie closed a few points lower at the end of a dull day's trading that was overshadowed by continuing eurozone debt worries. Ireland was the focus of attention again. The rating agency Standard & Poors says the price of bailing out nationalised bank Anglo Irish could exceed $47bn. Banks Royal B
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Dairy Crest the cream of the crop
29th Sep 2010 15:19
Dairy Crest is the top riser in the FTSE 250 after announcing that it has renewed a contract to supply the supermarket Morrisons with fresh milk through to 2015. Rail and bus operator FirstGroup, also higher, said it is currently trading in line with management expectations and is on track to deli
Read moreLondon afternoon: Dull mood continues
29th Sep 2010 14:15
Leading shares remain mixed but with a lower bias as investors continue to fret over European debt issues. Debt-stricken Ireland is the focus of attention again. The rating agency Standard & Poors says the price of bailing out nationalised bank Anglo Irish could exceed $47bn. Banks Royal Bank of
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie hit by debt worries
29th Sep 2010 12:19
Footsie is now in the red after a bright start, with European debt issues again clouding the mood. Debt-stricken Ireland is the focus of attention again. The rating agency Standard & Poors says the price of bailing out nationalised bank Anglo Irish could exceed $47bn. Banks RBS, Lloyds and Barclays
Read moreLondon open: Transatlantic lift for Footsie
29th Sep 2010 08:51
London has opened handily ahead after the decent close on Wall Street overnight. In company news, British Airways has finally signed its well-flagged transatlantic ticketing and revenue share agreement with American Airlines and merger partner Iberia. It starts in October and is worth a combined $7
Read moreFirstGroup poised for moderate FY growth
29th Sep 2010 07:36
Rail and bus operator FirstGroup said it is currently trading in line with management expectations and is on track to deliver moderate earnings growth target for the full year. FirstGroup said earnings have benefitted from a mix of contract-backed and passenger revenue operations in the UK and Nor
Read moreFirstGroup poised for moderate FY growth
29th Sep 2010 07:21
Rail and bus operator FirstGroup said it is currently trading in line with management expections and is on track to deliver moderate earnings growth target for the full year. FirstGroup said earnings have benefitted from a mix of contract-backed and passenger revenue operations in the UK and North
Read moreLondon close: Stocks close lower as rally fizzles out
22nd Sep 2010 17:00
Footsie gave up a brief rally to close in the red on an uncertain day's trading in the wake of Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's nervous comments on US economic prospects yesterday. Shares in the US moved lower despite having rallied earlier. Similar sentiments to those expressed by Bernank
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