London open: Modest gains for FTSE 100
3rd Jun 2011 08:33
Stocks have moved tentatively higher following some hefty losses lately, though there could be some excitement later in the day when US jobs figures are released. Oil firm Cairn Energy has got cracking on its West Greenland offshore drilling campaign, with drilling commenced on two wells. With su
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: easyJet gains altitude
6th May 2011 14:57
Budget airline easyJet is flying higher after better-than-expected passenger figures for April. The airline carried 4.72m passengers in April, up 35.1% from the 3.49m passengers in April 2010. Hotels group Millennium & Copthorne posted higher revenues and profits in the three months to 31 March, bu
Read moreBroker tips: Lloyds, Mondi, Go-Ahead
6th May 2011 12:43
One-offs and lower margins have prompted RBS to downgrade forecasts at Lloyds, after the bank reported profits that were significantly under consensus estimates. While underlying results were broadly in line, one-off charges caused the group to deliver a pre-tax profit of £1.2bn in the first quarte
Read moreBroker snap: Improving revenue trends at Go-Ahead
6th May 2011 12:07
Nomura nudges up its forecasts for rail and bus operator Go-Ahead, but keeps a 'neutral' stance on the stock noting that its new target price only has a potential upside of 0.3%. Estimated 2011 earnings (before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) have been upgraded by 7% due to better rev
Read moreCall for more competition on the buses
6th May 2011 09:48
The Competition Commission (CC) has spoken out at the UK bus industry, proposing that the market should be opened up to increase competition for the larger operators. The CC said that while there are some 1,245 bus companies across Britain, the majority of routes and local areas experience a "high
Read moreLondon close: Another day of big losses for FTSE 100
5th May 2011 16:51
Stocks fell sharply having started the day well, with banks and miners among the heaviest fallers. First quarter profits fell sharply at part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking, which closed down 8% today, as the bank took an impairment charge that was half a billion pounds larger than it was expec
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Rail and bus groups in demand
5th May 2011 15:44
Go-Ahead, the rail and bus operator, saw shares rise after reporting that trading in the quarter to 2 April was strong, as passenger numbers rose by 7.2%. Sector peer National Express is also firmer after saying that is on track for an improved financial performance in 2011 after seeing good growth
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 back on the slide
5th May 2011 12:07
The top share index has given up its bright start to resume the slide suffered yesterday, with banks leading the fall. The mining sector, which had started brightly, is also lower. First quarter profits fell sharply at part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking, as the bank took an impairment charge t
Read moreLondon open: Banks spoil the party
5th May 2011 08:28
Stocks have rallied following yesterday's slide, but only slightly as the banking sector puts a dampener on the recovery. First quarter profits fell sharply at part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking, as the bank took an impairment charge that was half a billion pounds larger than it was expecting,
Read moreGo-Ahead to beat expectations as drivers abandon cars
5th May 2011 07:42
Rail and bus operator Go-Ahead is benefiting from cash-strapped drivers abandoning their cars to take the bus and expects to deliver a full-year operating profit ahead of expectations. Go-Ahead, which operates city and regional bus services across England, as well as the Southern, Southeastern and
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: C&W Worldwide plummets on 2012 guidance
24th Mar 2011 14:54
C&W Worldwide is doing its best the pull the index lower, falling over 15% after it issued its second profit warning within a year. The telecoms titan now expects flat earnings next year compared with earlier market forecasts of an increase of over £20m from £444m to £470m. The best performing stoc
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market consolidates gains
24th Mar 2011 14:24
Footsie has maintained most of its gains from the morning but there are signs that it is running out of steam even though Wall Street opened in positive territory. Wall Street has been heading lower since the start and it is only just still in positive territory. The two large earthquakes in Bu
Read moreLondon midday: Shares back in fashion
24th Mar 2011 12:25
Footsie burst through the 5800 barrier this morning and continued heading higher, helped by some strong updates from retailers Next and Kingfisher. Both firms made good money last year and increased their dividends accordingly. Next paraded a 9% rise in full-year profit to a new record, exactly wh
Read moreLondon open: Retailers shine in dull market
24th Mar 2011 08:12
Retailers are in focus in London, providing some badly needed interest in a market that has been sleep-walking since the Chancellor of the Exchequer stood up to give his speech yesterday. Next paraded a 9% rise in full-year profit to a new record, exactly what the City was expecting following guida
Read moreDfT reveals franchise runners & riders
24th Mar 2011 07:45
Rail and bus operators are rushing out statements celebrating being on the shortlists for the east and west coast UK rail franchises. Stagecoach Group has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport that its joint venture group, Virgin Rail, has pre-qualified to bid for the new West C
Read more