London pre-open: Bright start expected
14th Jul 2009 07:40
Footsie is expected to rise after last night's good showing on Wall Street. Engineering conglomerate Melrose is trading in line with expectations for the full year and said cash generation during the first six months of 2009 has been 'excellent'. Net debt has reduced by £127m since 31 December 2008
Read moreFerrexpo trades profitable in second quarter
14th Jul 2009 07:11
Iron ore firm Ferrexpo said it produced at full capacity and traded profitable in the second quarter. Total pellet production in the second quarter rose by 21.1% compared with the previous three month period and was up by 3.8% compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Higher grade 65% Fe pell
Read moreTelford quartet act on optimism
18th Jun 2009 16:35
Telford Homes shares have rallied in recent weeks as the developer responsible for affordable homes in East London gave a "cautiously optimistic" view of its prospects. Founder and chief executive Andrew Wiseman has topped up his holding with the purchase of 25,000 shares at 55p. Other directors Ja
Read moreSector movers: Miners jump despite caution
10th Jun 2009 10:53
Mining stocks are going strong despite cautious updates from two sector heavyweights. BHP Billiton said it agreed to cut the price of metallurgical coal, which is used by steelmakers, by 58% for the current shipping year. Kazakhstan-based Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC) anticipates that pressure
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Charter falls after warning
10th Jun 2009 10:51
Engineer Charter International falls back after warned that if difficult conditions seen in May persist, it anticipates the outcome for 2009 will be materially lower than its previous expectations. Turning to the risers, IG Group is going well for the second day in a row after yesterday saying it e
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Lloyds, Barclays, Ferrexpo
8th Jun 2009 06:17
Lloyds Banking Group is expected to repay about £2.3 billion to the Government this week, becoming the first lender in Europe to return bailout money to the taxpayer. The £2.3bn cheque addressed to the Treasury could not have come at a better time for Gordon Brown. The repayment is being made far s
Read moreSector movers: Metals stocks rise again
20th May 2009 12:48
The industrial metals sector is shrugging off a gloomy trading update from International Ferro Metals to climb for the second day in a row. The ferrochrome producer said it remains focused on preserving cash and cutting costs as it reported falling sales of the alloy used to make stainless steel. I
Read moreSector movers: M&S gives retailers the blues
19th May 2009 11:57
Clothes and food chain Marks and Spencer is leading the retail sector lower after cutting its dividend amid sliding profits. While sales in the year to March 28 were up by 0.4% from the previous year, they fell by 5.9% without the impact of new store openings and pre-tax profits fell to £706.2m fr
Read moreFerrexpo at full capacity despite downturn
19th May 2009 08:20
Iron ore firm Ferrexpo said it is continuing to produce at full capacity and selling all of its output, albeit at lower prices. The firm said prices of iron ore sold to China are being pressured by high freight rates from the Black Sea. However, it added that a slight recovery in demand from Ukrain
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