Halma confident of more progress in second half
22nd Nov 2011 19:13
All three divisions at Halma, the safety, health and environmental technology group, increased revenue and profits at the half-way point of the year, though the Infrastructure Sensors business was outshone by the other two divisions. Revenue from continuing operations in the 26 weeks to October 1st
Read moreRevenue rises at Halma, but pre-tax profit falls
22nd Nov 2011 09:19
Halma, the safety, health and environmental technology group, saw its revenue rise 12%, but cost increases led to almost a 50% fall in profit before taxation. Revenue grew from £49.3m to £57.5m on a like-for-like basis, while total pre-tax profit fell from £98.3m to £51.3m. Andrew Williams, chie
Read moreAcquisitions boost Halma's revenue
28th Jul 2011 07:30
Halma, the safety, health and environmental technology group, is to unveil a 14% year-on-year increase in its first quarter revenue at its annual general meeting on Thursday. Company chairman, Geoff Unwin, said: "Trading since the start of the financial year has been in line with the board's expec
Read moreHalma non-exec cashes in
12th Jul 2011 15:31
Non-executive director Richard Stone has offloaded some shares in the engineering conglomerate Halma, taking advantage of strength in the price following last month's full year figures. He sold 10,000 shares at 418.7p each, pocketing a total of £41,870. Following the sale, he still has 10,000 sha
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Ladbrokes, Michael Page, Halma
12th Jul 2011 06:42
Ladbrokes' shares have suffered this year, by comparison with its main quoted peer, William Hill. One reason for this is William Hill's symbiotic relationship with the gaming IT company Playtech, capitalising on its high quality online and mobile gaming services. The shares do not look expensive, sa
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Capita, Halma, Northumbrian Water...
29th Jun 2011 06:36
Capita bosses were doing the Lambeth walk yesterday as they picked up a £60m, 10-year contract with the London borough to deliver a range of services. The scope of the deal could be widened to make it worth up to £300m over time. While others reliant on Government work for revenues have been feeling
Read moreCookson chairman buys after rally
28th Jun 2011 17:49
The chairman of ceramics, electronics and precious metals supplier Cookson Jeffrey Harris has increased his holding in the company by 50%, spending more than £60,000 on shares. He took 10,000 shares at 616.2p a go and now has 30,000. Shares in the company have rallied sharply since his last purchas
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Whitbread, Capital Pub, Chemring
22nd Jun 2011 06:33
Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread had indicated at the time of its preliminaries in April that the pace of growth was slowing. Some brokers hope for a bid from private equity, but others worry about further weakness in the regional hotel trade. On almost 13 times' this year's earnings, fu
Read moreHalma beefs up FY pre-tax profit
21st Jun 2011 07:20
Engineering conglomerate Halma reported a robust set of full year figures and said it will continue to focus on potential acquisitions. The acquisitive engineer said pre-tax profit from continuing operations rose to £104.6m in the year ended 2 April 2011 from £86.2m in 2010. Revenue for the period
Read moreLondon close: Shares fall back as oil rallies
9th Mar 2011 16:53
A drop in the oil price failed to gain ground as the Libya violence continued, sending shares firmly into the red. Attacks against rebel-held towns in western Libya continued, helping oil prices to win back some recent losses. Traders are worried that violence could erupt in other oil-producing Ar
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Restaurant Group rises on profit growth
9th Mar 2011 15:36
The Restaurant Group saw shares jump after the performance at its Garfunkel's outlets helped profits grow by 17% in 2010. Also wanted is acquisitive engineering conglomerate Halma which has its cheque book out again, buying Swiss company Medicel for around £46.6m. Heading the other way is speciali
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downward drift continues
9th Mar 2011 14:16
Blue-chip shares drifted lower still over the lunchtime session though a number of bright spots can be found, particularly among second liners. Insurer Prudential is in demand after saying it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's bigges
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction
9th Mar 2011 12:02
Shares are moving in both directions after updates, but the FTSE 100 sits a few points lower. Insurer Prudential is in demand after saying it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group operating profit before tax on a Eu
Read moreLondon open: Early falls despite Pru show of strength
9th Mar 2011 08:43
London has slipped lower in early dealings, despite good numbers from Prudential and a strong performance on Wall Street overnight as oil prices fell back. Insurer Prudential made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group o
Read moreLondon pre-open: Waiting on the Pru
9th Mar 2011 07:38
The blue-chip index is expected to open barely changed, though things may change when insurance giant Prudential releases results later this morning. Africa-focused oil company Tullow Oil ramped up profits in 2010, broadly in line with City expectations, as oil prices jumped by almost a third. Prof
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