FTSE 250 movers: QinetiQ on the attack
18th Nov 2010 13:50
Shares in QinetiQ rocketed as the high-tech defence group shrugged off the squeeze in defence spending to lift underlying interim profits and promise a return to dividends at the year-end. Bike and car parts retailer Halfords pedals forward after it reported a healthy rise in sales and profits in t
Read moreLondon midday: Shares buoyant as updates impress
18th Nov 2010 12:05
With some kind of resolution to the Irish crisis in sight and many of today's updates impressing the market, shares have moved sharply higher. The Bank of Ireland chief has confirmed a loan is likely with brokers suggesting it could be as much as €85bn, including €20bn to provide support for the co
Read moreLondon open: Strong start for FTSE 100
18th Nov 2010 08:25
Shares have got off to a strong start as traders avert their eyes from the ongoing Irish debt saga and pay attention to today's stream of company updates. SABMiller is fizzing after a strong performance in all regions but Europe helped the brewing giant post a rise in profits in the half year to Se
Read moreHalfords profits rise, like-for-like sales under pressure
18th Nov 2010 07:30
Bike and car parts retailer Halfords reported a healthy rise in sales and profits in the 26 weeks to 1 October, but trading remains tough, with like-for-like sales under pressure. Pre-tax profits jumped to £68.7m from £60.9m over the same half year period the previous year as revenues rose to £456.
Read moreThursday preview: SABMiller, Investec, Halfords
17th Nov 2010 16:41
South Africa-focused investment bank Investec has put in a bit of mixed performance of late, according to broker Charles Stanley. "On the one hand Investec has benefited from a solid recurring income base as well as a strong performance from the Asset Management and Private Wealth businesses. Howe
Read moreHalfords names Findlay FD
15th Nov 2010 08:49
Car parts and bikes seller Halfords today named Andrew Findlay as its new finance director. Findlay will join the company on 1 February 2011, Halfords said in a company statement. He is currently director of Finance, Tax and Treasury at Marks and Spencer, "where he played a key role in programme
Read moreLondon close: Footsie closes on low note
7th Oct 2010 16:52
Footsie turned down in the afternoon session despite better than expected US jobs and retail sales figures. US shares did not respond to the economic data and by midday the Dow was showing strongly red. In Europe, interest rates were left on hold by both the Bank of England and European Central ba
Read moreLondon afternoon: BoNY-M stalking Man
7th Oct 2010 14:37
Better than expected US jobless figures have given the UK market a lift, with the Footsie now knocking on the door of 5700. Mining stocks are, by and large, still refusing the join the party. Copper miners Kazakhmys and Antofagasta lead the sector lower. Indian miner Vedanta is holding up though
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Uphill struggle for Halfords
7th Oct 2010 14:10
Halfords is back-pedalling today after the car parts and bicycle retailer said like for like sales fell 5.8% during the second quarter following a 4.5% drop at the retail business and 1.5% decline at Autocentres. Shares in Victrex have melted away despite the fast growing plastics group's trading
Read moreBroker tips: Barclays, Halfords, Mulberry
7th Oct 2010 12:45
Nomura Securities has reiterated its neutral stance on banking giant Barclays , arguing that the potential for a re-rating remains limited while the bank faces regulatory pressures in the form of the Basel III guidelines for capital and banking regulations. By Nomura's reckoning Barclays Capital, t
Read moreLondon midday: Status quo maintained
7th Oct 2010 12:14
The Bank of England announcement on interest rate and quantitative easing (QE) policy was a non-event, with the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) electing to maintain the status quo. Leaving the base lending rate unchanged was no surprise but there was a slight possibility that QE would be res
Read moreBroker snap: Wheels may be coming off at Halfords
7th Oct 2010 09:21
It could be time to get the puncture repair kit out for the deflated share price of car parts and bikes seller Halfords after Thursday's trading update raised, in KBC Peel Hunt's words, more questions than answers. Like for like sales in the company's second quarter fell, as widely expected, by 4.9
Read moreHalfords sales slip accelerates
7th Oct 2010 07:52
Car parts and bikes seller Halfords is finding it an uphill struggle at the moment and slightly harder than analysts had imagined following recent warehouse disruption. Like for like sales fell 5.8% during the second quarter following a 4.5% drop at the retail business and 1.5% decline at Autocentr
Read moreThursday preview: M&S, Halfords, BoE QE decision
6th Oct 2010 16:04
It's been a big week for retailers and the trend continues with high street bellwether Marks & Spencer giving a trading update on Thursday covering the company's second quarter. Panmure Gordon predicts UK like for like (LFL) year on year sales growth of 2.5%, with the general merchandise arm growin
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: JD Sports in fashion before results
20th Sep 2010 18:02
JD Sports Fashion was sharply higher ahead of tomorrow's half-year results from the trendy sportswear retailer. Elsewhere in retail, Carpetright was in demand but bike and car parts group Halfords was left on the shelf. Insurer Brit Insurance was wanted after Friday's late announcement that the co
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