Greene King sees general improvement
31st Jan 2011 07:09
Brewer and pub owner Greene King saw healthy trading over the past eight weeks despite the poor weather with all of its divisions in-line or improving from the half-year. The snow hit trade ahead of Christmas, but since then it has been better than last year. The managed pub business saw like-for
Read moreGovernment's low-cost alcohol initiative lacks bottle
18th Jan 2011 14:24
The coalition government is set to announce new measures on Tuesday designed to cut back on the practice of retailers offering deep discounts on alcoholic drinks. Though the new proposals will not prevent shops from selling alcoholic drinks as "loss leaders", it is understood that the government wi
Read moreLondon close: Lower finish after weak US jobs data
3rd Dec 2010 16:51
Footsie closed in the red after a sluggish day's trading, with the calm only briefly interrupted by jitters following weak US jobs data in the afternoon. Non-farm payrolls increased by 39,000 during the month, down from a revised increase of 172,000 in October and well short of expectations that ab
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie dives on US jobs data
3rd Dec 2010 14:30
Jobs growth slowed sharply in the US in November and unemployment unexpectedly rose, which was not the result the market had been hoping for. The data sent shares on this side of the pond into a dive, and pushed Footsie into the red. Non-farm payrolls increased by 39,000 during the month, down fro
Read moreLondon midday: Shares still sluggish ahead of US jobs figure
3rd Dec 2010 12:10
The strong gains of the past couple of days have given way to sluggishness as traders pause for breath and await US jobs data later in the afternoon. Non-farm payrolls in the world's biggest economy are due at lunchtime. In company news here, mining giant Rio Tinto is to be the junior partner in
Read moreLondon open: Lacklustre start ahead of US jobs
3rd Dec 2010 08:52
Footsie has drifted lower with the freezing temperatures and transport chaos keeping many City folk away from work. All eyes will be on the US non-farm payrolls report at lunchtime, but ahead of that data there has been some profit taking after the big gains of the previous two days. Mining giant
Read moreLondon pre-open: Cautious start ahead of US jobs data
3rd Dec 2010 07:33
London is set to creep higher at the outset but with the eagerly awaited US jobs data due out this afternoon investors look to be reluctant to over commit themselves. City traders expect the FTSE 100 will open up with a single digit rise. Mining giant Rio Tinto is to be the junior partner in a joi
Read moreStrong first half at Greene King
3rd Dec 2010 07:13
Pub group and brewer Greene King posted record first half revenues as Scottish subsidiary Belhaven and its retail division stormed ahead. Underlying profits in the half year to Mid-October jumped 17% to £73.1m, from £62.4m, on sales up 4.2% to £484m. Pre-tax profits were £60m against £51.2m. Like-
Read moreFriday preview: Greene King, Berkeley Group, US jobs
2nd Dec 2010 16:12
Thursday's results from brewing and pubs group Marston's were well received, throwing down a "top that" challenge to mid-cap sector peer Greene King,which brings out interim figures on Friday. The Abbot Ale brewer has Goldman Sachs in its corner; the US investment bank thinks the retail numbers wil
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Sports Direct, Greene King, DS Smith...
8th Sep 2010 06:40
The main reasons for the discount on Sports Direct's shares are the two ongoing investigations into the retailer's activities, involving the Serious Fraud Office and Office of Fair Trading. While the retailer is co-operating fully with the inquiries, there remains the prospect of a surprise, such
Read moreLondon close: Winning streak ends
7th Sep 2010 16:48
London's leading share index gave up a winning streak that lasted all last week and continued yesterday. The day started sluggishly and continued in that vein after a lower start on Wall Street. Takeover talk provided much of the excitement, with bid speculation about engineering group Invensys an
Read moreLondon afternoon: Bid rumours relieve the gloom
7th Sep 2010 14:02
It's a case of 'another day, another bid rumour' for London, with bid speculation about engineering group Invensys and oil explorer Tullow Oil providing a bit of cheer to a subdued market. The rumour-mongers are suggesting that the UK engineering conglomerate could be the subject of a 350p per sh
Read moreLondon midday: Winning streak in danger
7th Sep 2010 12:02
Footsie ended the morning making its second attempt of the day at a rally but the blue-chip index remains in negative territory and in danger of seeing its winning streak in September come to an end. Expectations of a lower start on Wall Street as the US returns to work after the Labour Day holiday
Read moreLondon open: Rising streak under threat
7th Sep 2010 09:00
London's seven-day run of gains is under threat as blue chips are struggling in the early exchanges. Barclays is lower after it confirmed Bob Diamond, head of its investment banking arm, Barclays Capital, will take over as chief executive when John Varley steps down at the end of March next year. D
Read moreLondon pre-open: Weak start threatens winning streak
7th Sep 2010 07:31
London's seven-day run of gains could end Tuesday as experts predict a bout of selling when trading starts shortly. Futures prices indicate a 17-point drop for the FTSE 100 when business gets underway. There's little by way of company reports to get traders excited, but all eyes will be on the US l
Read more