Sector movers: Drugs progress boosts Pharma stock
1st Sep 2009 11:12
Positive updates from two big hitters have given the pharmaceuticals sector a shot in the arm. AstraZeneca is one of the FTSE 100's best performers after announcing it is to press ahead with plans to submit its ticagrelor drug, Brilinta, for regulatory approval in the fourth quarter of 2009 after
Read moreJames Fisher banks delivery fee
1st Sep 2009 08:42
Marine services firm James Fisher has received £18m as part of a pre-delivery funding agreement after its submarine rescue service for the Republic of Singapore Navy became operational. The cash payment will reduce James Fisher’s gearing by around 19%. At the end of June 2009 the company’s net debt
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Tullow, Antofagasta, Costain
27th Aug 2009 05:55
Tullow Oil claims 741 million barrels in proven and probable reserves. Adding a very conservative 200 million for the extra potential in Ghana and Uganda gives one billion barrels, which the stock market is currently valuing at $14.5 per barrel. About right, given the Africa risk, but if Tullow does
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rally continues
25th Aug 2009 16:32
After an afternoon of see-sawing between the red and the blue, Footsie finished in positive territory and above the 4,900 point mark, continuing its rally. State-owned lender Royal Bank of Scotland finished with good gains after it said it will cut the level of benefits received by members of its
Read moreLondon afternoon: US data encourages Footsie
25th Aug 2009 15:11
A strong start on Wall Street is keeping London in the blue, just, with investors welcoming a bigger than expected jump in US consumer confidence. The leading index remains on course for a sixth consecutive day of gains after state-owned lender Royal Bank of Scotland said it will cut the level of b
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie still in the red
25th Aug 2009 11:54
Despite threatening to move back into positive territory an hour ago, the Footsie has slid further back down into the red. Miners are still heavily weak with seven out of the top ten losers so far from the sector. Kazakhmys, Xstrata, Antofagasta, Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton
Read moreSector movers: Persimmon cements housebuilder gains
25th Aug 2009 09:35
Housebuilders are going well after Persimmon reported a drop in first half profits but said selling prices have stabilised in most parts of mainland UK. Persimmon legally completed 4,006 units (H1 2008: 5,501) at an average selling price of £155,524 (H1 2008: £181,485). Total sales revenue for the
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Investors toast Punch confidence
25th Aug 2009 09:34
Investors are queuing up to buy into Punch Taverns after the pub group said it is confident of its longer term prospects though it remains cautious over the near-term. Peer Enterprise Inns is also wanted. Instrumentation and controls company Spectris is higher even though it reported a 66% drop in
Read moreLondon open: Miners lead decline
25th Aug 2009 08:15
Miners are leading London's top stocks lower in early dealing after a poor afternoon session in the US and weaker Asian markets. Kazakhmys is the worst performer, down more than 4%, closely followed by Lonmin, Xstrata, Antofagasta, Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, BHP Billito
Read moreJames Fisher specialist technical arm lifts profits
25th Aug 2009 07:42
James Fisher, the leading UK marine services, said strong organic growth overseas led by the Specialist Technical division more than offset the recessionary issues in the UK market. Group revenue from operations rose by 13.9% to £130m during the first half of 2009 and pre tax profit was £13.0m agai
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: 'Robust' performance lifts PV Crystalox
19th Aug 2009 11:35
Silicon wafers supplier PV Crystalox Solar is higher after saying it is confident of a "robust" performance in the second half despite reporting a 57% slump in earnings for the first six months of 2009. James Fisher is buoyant again after the marine services group yesterday said it has bought MB Fa
Read moreWednesday's tips round-up: Mears, Fresnillo, James Fisher
19th Aug 2009 06:29
The experts say buy Mears, but put their target price at 260p, below its current level. With momentum strongly behind the equity markets as confidence slowly returns, The Independent suggests it is the wrong time to buy Mears. If the economy takes a turn for the worst, fill your boots, but if the s
Read moreLondon close: Stocks in late surge
18th Aug 2009 16:36
A late rally driven by early gains in the US had London back up at session highs, with gains among financial plays easily offsetting a weaker property sector. Investors overcame disappointing US housing starts data that had the blue chip index struggling at session lows mid-afternoon. The annual ra
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains pegged after US housing data
18th Aug 2009 14:37
Disappointing US housing starts data took the wind out of London's sales over the lunchtime session, though the blue-chip FTSE 100 index remains in the blue. Housing starts are seen as one of the vital signs of the US economy and July's figures disappointed, with the annualised number of housing sta
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Acquisition buoys James Fisher
18th Aug 2009 12:10
Marine services group James Fisher is buoyant after saying it has bought MB Faber, which provides specialist electrical and engineering services to the nuclear and aerospace industries, for up to £5.25m in cash. Higher crude prices give oil explorer and producer Salamander Energy a lift. Elsewher
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