London 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,
Read moreLondon afternoon: Airlines flying high
6th Oct 2010 14:30
Profit takers have skimmed off some of the cream of the gains seen this morning on mining stocks while the two big trading updates of the day have also sparked negative reactions, but Footsie remains comfortably in positive territory. Metals prices have strengthened in line with a weaker dollar, w
Read moreBroker tips: Greggs, Robert Walters, Sportingbet
6th Oct 2010 13:11
FinnCap's full year revenue forecast for sausage rolls and pies seller Greggs is looking a little flaky after a cautious third quarter update from the bakery chain. The broker had been expecting Greggs to achieve 0.5% like for like (LFL) sales growth in the second half of 2010 but with Greggs' thir
Read moreBroker snap: Greggs offering lacks spice
6th Oct 2010 13:08
FinnCap's full year revenue forecasts for sausage rolls and pies seller Greggs are looking a little flaky after a cautious third quarter update from the bakery chain. The broker had been expecting Greggs to achieve 0.5% like for like (LFL) sales growth in the second half of 2010 but with Greggs' th
Read moreLondon midday: Autonomy cuts revenue guidance
6th Oct 2010 12:01
With metals prices on the rise mining stocks were the shares to hold in a morning session that saw Footsie make an assault on the 5700 level before falling away in the hour before noon. Antofagasta, Anglo American, Kazakhmys and Xstrata are still sporting handsome gains. Metals prices have strength
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips power forward
6th Oct 2010 08:52
London's leading index has hit fresh five-month highs after the surge on Wall Street overnight. Footsie is now at its highest since April. Miners are driving the gains this morning with the top five risers all mining companies. Antofagasta, Anglo American, Kazakhmys and Xstrata are the best perform
Read moreLondon pre-open: Rally has legs
6th Oct 2010 07:34
The ripple from last night's leap on Wall Street should hit our shores when trading starts this morning, sending London's leading index to fresh five-month highs. Futures prices currently indicate a gain of around 20 points in early deals following a 193-point surge in the US Tuesday. The FTSE 100
Read moreLFL sales growth thinner at Greggs
6th Oct 2010 07:13
Hungry Britons have been tucking into the bacon rolls sold by Greggs, contributing to continued sales growth for the savoury snacks seller. Greggs said total sales for the 39 weeks ended 2 October 2010 increased by 2.6%, while like-for-like (LFL) sales grew 0.5%. Sales growth slowed some in the th
Read moreWednesday preview: Sainsbury, Marston's, Greggs
5th Oct 2010 16:12
With the half-year trading statement from sector leader Tesco out of the way the path is clear for fellow supermarket group Sainsbury to grab the headlines on Wednesday. Back in June, at the height of the World Cup, Sainsbury was doing a roaring trade in vuvuzelas, whch helped it achieve a like fo
Read moreLondon close: Lower finish for FTSE 100
10th Aug 2010 16:42
A poor reception for updates from the holiday-related stocks TUI Travel and InterContinental Hotels helped ensure Footsie closed in the red, while economic worries also weighed on sentiment. China's trade surplus hit an 18-month high as exports surged and imports slowed. Imports increased 22.7% i
Read moreLondon afternoon: Buyers take a holiday
10th Aug 2010 14:14
Leading equities moved further into the red over the lunch time session as investors remained concerned about slowing growth in the Chinese economy and signs closer to home that the Budget spending cuts are starting to have an effect on the mood of UK consumers. China's trade surplus hit an 18-mon
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