FirstGroup still on track
14th Jan 2010 07:49
Rail and bus operator FirstGroup said it remains on course to achieve earnings targets after seeing trading in line with expectations since its last update on November 4, with money the company receives from the government for operating franchises helping offset reduced passenger numbers. In UK bus
Read moreOFT refers bus market to Competition Commission
7th Jan 2010 08:22
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has referred local bus services to the Competition Commission (CC) after concluding that low levels of competition in many bus markets may be resulting in poor outcomes for bus users and taxpayers. The decision comes after a market study and public consultation car
Read moreFirstGroup FD buys initial stake
12th Nov 2009 15:43
Recently appointed FirstGroup finance director Jeff Carr has not let the industrial dispute at the bus and train operator's Thameslink subsidiary put him off buying his first shares in the group. Carr spent £58,198 on 15,000 shares. Carr was previously finance director of budget airline easyJet. H
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Logica, Rightmove, Aviva
5th Nov 2009 06:01
Most companies are looking at any way to cut costs during the downturn, which puts a company like Logica, one of the biggest UK-listed IT service providers, in a strong position. Yet, analysts fear that profit growth will not be huge next year and Evolution Securities rates the stock at 11.7 times p
Read moreLondon close: Footsie gleams on commodity strength
4th Nov 2009 16:18
A rush into miners, triple-digit rally on Wall Street and welcome numbers from two of Britain's largest retailers catapulted London higher Wednesday. Fresnillo took the blue chip risers' crown, up sharply as renewed dollar weakness benefited commodity prices. Kazakhmys, Xstrata and Rio Tinto also
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains extended
4th Nov 2009 14:19
Expectations of a firmer start on Wall Street encouraged UK blue-chip prices to kick on over the lunch-time session, with miners and stores still leading the way, In the head to head battle between M&S and Next, shares in the latter are performing slightly better after the fashion chain upped its g
Read moreBroker tips: Cadbury, Wetherspoon, FirstGroup
4th Nov 2009 13:09
The share price of Crème Egg maker Cadbury was looking a little runny on Wednesday morning as hopes of US predator Kraft Foods upping the terms of its proposed offer for the UK company faded. The US company announced a dip in third quarter earnings after the bell yesterday and lowered its full-year
Read moreLondon midday: London enjoys retail therapy
4th Nov 2009 12:05
Retail news dominated the morning trading session with well received results from two major retailers plus a cautiously upbeat trading update from shopping centre owner Liberty. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of expectations, with underlying profits risi
Read moreBroker snap: FirstGroup undervalued
4th Nov 2009 10:55
Results from bus and train firm FirstGroup were marginally better than expected, in the view of Panmure Gordon, which has reiterated its 'buy' recommendation on the shares. 'The company has secured financing through to 2012 and good cash flows should allow net debt to fall steadily in the coming ye
Read moreFirstGroup H1 profit down 44%
4th Nov 2009 07:52
Bus and rail company FirstGroup said first half profit dropped 44% as it was hit by higher fuel costs and sluggish sales at its North American Greyhound bus business. Pre-tax profit for the six months to 30 September declined to £30.3m from £54.4m the year before. Revenue rose to £2.90bn from £2.7
Read moreWednesday preview: M&S, Next, Firstgroup
3rd Nov 2009 16:20
The Investor Day presentation by High Street giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) on 13 October backfired, with investment analysts underwhelmed by the presentations from senior executives, some of whom are jostling for position in the contest to succeed Sir Stuart Rose as chief executive officer next year.
Read moreLondon close: Oil fired Footsie
19th Oct 2009 17:10
Boosted by a bright start on Wall Street equities finished the day with a flourish in London with the FTSE 100 index close to racking up a triple digit gain. Energy stocks saw some late interest as the price of oil moved higher. At midday in New York the price of the most widely traded oil futures
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares consolidate gains
19th Oct 2009 14:39
After racing off to a fast start leading equities have largely consolidated the gains made in the first hour of trading. Property stocks are among the best performers after a positive note on the sector from Evolution Securities, which has upped its ratings for British Land, Liberty International
Read moreLondon midday: More gains for Footsie
19th Oct 2009 12:14
Mining and property stocks have sparked another strong morning for the FTSE 100 index. Miners Fresnillo, Kazakhmys, Vedanta, Anglo American, Xstrata and Antofagasta are leading the way. Property stocks are lifted by a positive note on the sector from Evolution Securities, which has upped its rat
Read moreLondon open: Bright start as buyers keep at it
19th Oct 2009 08:34
London's blue chips are storming forward again helped by another possible bid emerging for National Express and a lack of anyone selling. Only five Footsie stocks are currently in the red with Cable & Wireless the worst performer, but it is down less than 1%. Fresnillo,Vedanta and British Land are
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