London midday: Market remains in the red
16th Mar 2011 11:50
The decline in the FTSE 100 appears to have bottomed out although there are continuing worries over the post-earthquake situation in Japan. A fire at the plant's fourth reactor sent radiation levels soaring and forced what few workers are left battling the potential disaster to retreat. Japan's Emp
Read moreLondon open: Footsie struggles as Japan news worsens
16th Mar 2011 08:54
Hopes of a rally after a bounce in Tokyo overnight have been dashed by more worrying news from the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. A fire at the plant's fourth reactor sent radiation levels soaring and forced what few workers are left battling the potential disaster to retreat. Japan's E
Read moreLondon pre-open: Buyers expected to return
16th Mar 2011 07:37
It looks like prices have fallen low enough to attract buyers back into the market with traders saying the Footsie index is expected to open higher, possibly by as much as 30 points. There has been a brace of executive departures in the leisure industry with the chief executives of hotels group Int
Read moreGreggs makes record money in 2010
16th Mar 2011 07:06
Sausage roll fans filed into Greggs in record numbers during 2010, pushing profits up almost 8%, and like for like sales growth so far in 2011 is double what it was for all of 2010. The Newcastle-based company, which runs over 1,480 value bakers shops up and down the country, made £52.5m in the 52
Read moreWednesday Preview: Greggs, Marston's, Hikma
15th Mar 2011 17:19
Results from Greggs will help give us a clearer picture of the state of the British High Street. Shore Capital is predicting a 7% rise in pre-tax profits from the baked snacks retailer, though the broker is less cheery over trading so far this year. One interesting aspect to look out for is what Gr
Read moreFriday tips round-up: BT, Balfour Beatty, Booker...
14th Jan 2011 06:44
BT bulls have had little to complain about recently as the stock has climbed 20% in two months and broken through the 190p barrier for the first time in two and a half years. The company is due a re-rating this year if the management team keeps ticking all the right boxes. A return to growth is sti
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Greggs, Vodafone, Moneysupermarket
13th Jan 2011 06:29
Britain's biggest bakery chain Greggs shrugged off the effects of the big freeze, reporting trading over Christmas that was stronger than expected, with a 3.5% rise in sales, or 0.6% on a like-for-like basis, over the five-week period. The current valuation of 11 times 2011's projected profits fairl
Read moreLondon close: More gains for FTSE 100
12th Jan 2011 16:43
Strong financial and mining stocks helped to drive the top share index higher Wednesday, while M&A activity and company updates had some FTSE 250 constituents soaring. HSBC went well, helped by a "buy" recommendation from Barclays Capital, but fellow banks Standard Chartered and Barclays were also
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners and banks lead the advance
12th Jan 2011 14:35
Footsie is continuing to keep its head above water, not to mention 6,000, but it is largely thanks to the strength of miners and financial stocks, with the latter in demand after Portugal's bond auction proved relatively successful. HSBC is the best performing financial, helped by a "buy" recommend
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks add more gains
12th Jan 2011 12:07
Miners continue to keep the FTSE 100 in the blue, adding to yesterday's gains, while three stocks in the FTSE 250 are posting triple-digit gains. Supermarket giant J Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of customers desp
Read moreLondon open: Early gains for blue chips
12th Jan 2011 08:50
London has pushed on again in early dealings with miners leading the way and a mixed morning so far for retailers. Supermarket giant J Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of customers despite the snow. Like for like sa
Read moreMince pie sales boost Greggs
12th Jan 2011 07:17
Bakery chain Greggs said like for like sales rose 0.6% over the Christmas trading period while total sales climbed 3.5% as shoppers snapped up hot coffee and mince pies. "The last-minute rush by many shoppers, combined with a more favourable trading pattern where Christmas day fell on Saturday, dro
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Michael Page, UK Mail, Premier Oil...
8th Oct 2010 06:59
Recruiter Michael Page released an impressive trading statement and has more than repaid the faith of those who stuck by management's fierce resistance to an attempted takeover by Swiss rival Adecco two years ago. At 30 times 2010 forecast earnings, yielding 1.7%, the shares are hardly cheap, and s
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Marston's, Greggs, Cranswick
7th Oct 2010 06:51
Marston's is for those who enjoy an old-fashioned pint and an old-fashioned pub company. Marston's shares sell on about ten times' earnings for the year to end-September and have the buttress of a 6 per cent yield. In a battered sector, a "hold" at least, says the Times. Greggs, the bakery chain, a
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish for Footsie as miners march ahead
6th Oct 2010 16:48
It was the surge in US shares yesterday rather than today's nervous performance that provided a lead for Footsie, helping London's top share index close with good gains. A nasty jobs report sent jitters through US markets. Private sector employers cut 39,000 jobs in September, against a gain of 10,
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