London pre-open: Early strength expected
3rd Dec 2009 07:35
London looks set for a push higher in early deals as metal prices continue to rise and with US futures pointing to a stronger start on Wall Street later. Indications are that the FTSE 100 will add about 30 points this morning, adding to yesterday's 15-point gain. In company news, Xstrata has appro
Read moreHalma says order intake ahead of revenue
3rd Dec 2009 07:01
Engineering conglomerate Halma reported slightly lower half year profits but said order intake was lightly ahead of revenue. Pre-tax profit from continuing operations was down 2% at £38.1m in the 27 weeks to 3 October from £39m after incurring £1.7m of restructuring costs. Statutory pre-tax profit
Read moreThursday preview: Kingfisher, Halma, Marstons
2nd Dec 2009 17:57
DIY group Kingfisher, owner of the B&Q brand, gives an update on Thursday on third quarter sales. The situation at the half-year stage was not as bad as might have been expected given the moribund state of the UK housing market. Indeed, the company may have benefited from the trend for householder
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips surge continues
30th Jul 2009 16:42
Corporate newsflow and resurgent miners sent Footsie to within a whisker of its highest close this year. Investors piled into blue chips after a string of household names reported earnings this morning. Triple-digit gains for the Dow added to the upward momentum in the afternoon. Telecoms giant
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners push Footsie higher
30th Jul 2009 14:48
Corporate news-flow and resurgent miners are driving Footsie higher today, with the benchmark index adding to its gains over the lunch-time session. Telecoms giant BT racked up a double-digit percentage gain in the morning after quarterly figures that were not as bad as feared. EBITDA (earnings b
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 4600
30th Jul 2009 11:54
Footsie has broken through the 4,600 barrier, helped by well received results from index heavyweight BT and strong demand for miners. Telecoms giant BT racked up a double-digit percentage gain in the morning after quarterly figures that were not as bad as feared. EBITDA (earnings before interest, t
Read moreHalma trading in line
30th Jul 2009 08:58
Health and sensor group Halma said trading during the first quarter of the financial year has been in line with expectations. Weekly revenues are averaging 3% below prior year levels but order intake has been slightly ahead of revenue in absolute terms. The group said Health and Analysis is showin
Read moreBooker directors cash in
8th Jul 2009 16:52
A number of directors at Booker have sold millions worth of shares the same day as the cash and carry group said profits and net debt remain in line with expectations. Finance director Jonathan Prentis and operating director Bryn Satherley each made £2.63m, selling 7.5m shares at 35.00p. Commercia
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Tesco, Whitbread, Halma
17th Jun 2009 06:46
First-quarter results from supermarket group Tesco were very good but the shares are sitting at a prospective February 2010 multiple of just 12.2 times, a discount to its rivals. This discount is unwarranted. Shares in Tesco were first recommended at 329¾p in December. They remain a buy and are sti
Read moreLondon close: Footsie clings to gains
16th Jun 2009 16:39
London's benchmark index finished just above flat, reversing earlier gains, as Wall Street started in a lacklustre fashion. Tesco's first quarter trading update was well received. Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth came in at the top end of expectations, helped by a resumption of growth in non-food
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares crawl higher
16th Jun 2009 14:19
London's blue-chip index edged higher over the lunch-time session, helped by expectations of a moderately firmer start on Wall Street. Tesco's first quarter trading update has been well received. Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth came in at the top end of expectations, helped by a resumption of gro
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds leads rally
16th Jun 2009 12:04
Footsie is making a valiant attempt to claw back yesterday's losses but its progress is being impeded by a weak mining sector. Tesco's first quarter trading update has been well received. Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth came in at the top end of expectations, helped by a resumption of growth in n
Read moreLondon open: Steady start for Footsie
16th Jun 2009 08:39
London's blue have made modest progress despite a tough day on Wall St yesterday with good figures from Tesco giving a boost. Property group's British Land and Hammerson are the best performers this morning, but it is Tesco's figures that catch the eye. Tesco's like-for-like sales growth came in a
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start in store
16th Jun 2009 07:41
The UK market is set to start little changed Tuesday as most of last night's gloom on Wall Street had already been felt by the time London closed yesterday. There's bound to be heavy focus on Britain's biggest supermarket chain Tesco following its latest sales update. UK like-for-like (LFL) sales
Read moreHalma profits as expected
16th Jun 2009 07:12
Full-year profit from health and sensor group Halma came in as expected, towards the bottom end of forecasts, following weaker order intake during the second half. Profit before tax and amortisation of acquired intangibles on continuing operations rose to £79.1m in the 12 months to 28 March 2009, u
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