London open: Footsie starts down
24th Sep 2009 08:15
London's top stocks are posting losses in early dealings on Thursday, tracking declines in the US and Asia after downbeat comments by the Federal Reserve about the US economy. The Fed said the US economy is improving but consumer spending has remained under pressure due to the tough jobs market and
Read moreHomeserve offloads emergency services unit
24th Sep 2009 07:30
Home maintenance specialist Homeserve said it has sold its emergency services division for up to £11m as it focuses on its higher margin, higher growth membership businesses. Homeserve said it has sold the business, excluding the HomeServe Property Repairs businesses, to a newly incorporated compa
Read moreThursday tips round-up: United Utilities, Yell, Game
24th Sep 2009 06:01
Even at eight times next year's forecast earnings, United Utilities is not a stock to be buying, and is probably not even one to hang on to for investors looking to cash in any time soon. Water is a decent backbone for a portfolio, but United Utilities looks the weakest link among its peers. Sell, s
Read moreLondon close: Footsie dips into the red
23rd Sep 2009 17:05
A late swoon saw London's blue-chip index give up the gains of the morning to close marginally lower on the day, as investors banked profits ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision this evening on US interest rates and its quantitative easing (QE) programme. The morning's gains had been achieved on
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie nears intra-day high
23rd Sep 2009 14:01
The market's climb regained momentum over the lunchtime session. Investors have been put in the mood to buy by the prospect of the Bank of England increasing its quantitative easing programme some time in the future. The minutes to the most recent meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy co
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Cool reception for Yell cash call plans
23rd Sep 2009 12:07
Directories group Yell is one of a handful of companies announcing its intention to raise cash from shareholders today and the market is unimpressed. The Yellow Pages publisher's shares are down 11% after it said it is mulling a £500m share issue to repay debt and strengthen the group's capital stru
Read moreLondon midday: Market rises despite cash calls
23rd Sep 2009 11:55
The market is off the top but still in positive territory, despite a flood of fund raising announcements this morning. Property group Liberty International shares have been hit by a placing today of up to 56.1m new shares, increasing its shares in issue by just under 10%. The fund raising comes l
Read moreProperty repairs cost Homeserve
23rd Sep 2009 07:42
Homeserve expects interim profits to be on track with an improved performance in its core home maintenance business offset by losses in emergency services. UK Emergency Services, particularly Property Repairs, continues to suffer from reduced volumes which will be reflected in this division reporti
Read moreLondon close: Meek end to bumper week
31st Jul 2009 16:23
Blue chips ended a near-record breaking week on a low note. Footsie closed down sharply after disappointing second quarter consumer spending figures in the US. Insurers lead the market lower ahead of the sector's results season. Standard Life, Old Mutual, RSA Insurance, Friends Provident and Leg
Read moreLondon afternoon: US consumer spending casts pall
31st Jul 2009 14:10
The Footise dropped sharply after disappointing second quarter consumer spending figures in the US. Insurers lead the market lower ahead of the sector's results season. Standard Life, Old Mutual, RSA Insurance, Friends Provident and Legal & General are the worst performers among life assurance s
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Rank and UBM boosted by interims
31st Jul 2009 13:26
Rank and UBM, both posting double digit percentage gains, are jostling for top spot in the FTSE 250. Casino and bingo hall operator Rank said it would not pay an interim dividend, but shares in the gambling firm rallied as half year results came in better than expected. Business publisher United B
Read moreLondon midday: Equities move sideways
31st Jul 2009 12:06
Leading shares remain mixed but with a slight bias to the upside, helped by improved sentiment towards travel stocks. British Airways is a bright spot after making some positive noises to accompany its first quarter results. "While traffic volumes are down considerably compared to last year, they h
Read moreLondon open: More gains for blue chips
31st Jul 2009 08:51
London's top stocks have pushed on again helped by British Airways sounding slightly more upbeat than in recent weeks and more gains for the miners. British Airways said it will further cut capacity, parking a total of 22 aircraft during winter 2010, as it swung to a loss in the first quarter. "Whi
Read moreHomeserve on track
31st Jul 2009 07:41
Homeserve said the year has started well with continuing policy growth and high renewals rates across its three core membership businesses. The home maintenance specialist's expectations for the full year remain unchanged. The group said it remains well funded with low levels of debt and signifi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Small drop likely
31st Jul 2009 07:32
London's top stocks are expected to open slightly lower on what is another relatively busy day on the company news front. Traders expects Footsie to drop 6 points early on. British Airways said it will further cut capacity, parking a total of 22 aircraft during winter 2010, as it swung to a loss in
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