Friday tips round-up: Premier Farnell, IG Group, Begbies Traynor
11th Dec 2009 06:46
Distributor Premier Farnell is not the most exciting company in the world, but it is a solid bet. Given the recovery the company is starting to show and its solid management, there is no reason to desert it now and investors should be rewarded for holding the shares says the Independent. September'
Read moreLondon close: Afternoon rally fizzles out
9th Dec 2009 17:13
The Chancellor's pre-Budget Report speech had little effect on UK equities, with much of its content widely expected while others subscribed to the view espoused by the Shadow Chancellor that it was more of a 'pre-election report' than a pre-Budget report. As expected, banks that pay excessive bonu
Read moreLondon afternoon: Cautious response to Pre-Budget
9th Dec 2009 14:27
London's blue chips have reacted cautiously to the chancellor's pre-Budget speech even though the big numbers were better than feared. The government's borrowing forecast for this year came in ahead of market predictions with a slight upward revison to £178bn, while Alistair Darling stuck to his fo
Read moreLondon midday: Shares hold steady
9th Dec 2009 12:06
With less than half an hour to go before the Chancellor's pre-Budget Report speech, leading equities are back to square one, as investors wait to see what the Chancellor has in store. Speculation is he'll announce the biggest squeeze in public spending for a generation, with only schools, hospital
Read moreSector movers: Standard Chartered lifts banks
9th Dec 2009 11:05
Asia-focused Standard Chartered gives the banking sector a lift after saying it remains on course for a record year with a strong performance in wholesale banking offsetting lower income in consumer banking, while its exposure to Dubai is not 'material'. "With regard to recent developments in the U
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Stagecoach races ahead
9th Dec 2009 11:04
Stagecoach leads the risers in the FTSE 250 after reporting that pre-tax profits fell by more than a quarter in the six months to October 31 after the rail and bus group was squeezed by reduced demand from recession hit travellers and high fuel costs. The group said it had made a good start to the
Read moreLondon open: Better than expected
9th Dec 2009 08:52
London has opened stronger than expected despite three-figure losses in the US overnight and a trickle of bad news on Greece and Dubai. UK investors also have Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget speech to look forward to at lunchtime. Speculation is he'll announce the biggest squeeze in publi
Read moreIG revenues and bad debts improve
9th Dec 2009 07:47
Spread bet firm IG Group expects report revenue of around £143m (2009: £126.5m) and adjusted profit before tax of around £77m (2009: £58.2m) for the first half of the year, but costs will be higher in the second half. "The group's operating costs will be higher in the second half of the financial
Read moreWednesday preview: Pre-Budget speech, Standard Chartered
8th Dec 2009 16:09
All eyes will be on Alistair Darling at 12.30pm Wednesday as the Chancellor starts his Pre-Budget Report. He's thought to have ruled out the giveaway route and will instead focus on recovery prospects and a measured plan to reduce Britain's debts. Previous forecasts that the UK economy will grow b
Read moreWeek Ahead: Tesco, IG Group, BoE QE update
4th Dec 2009 11:52
Supermarket giant Tesco has recovered some of its bounce recently, as the effects of its double-points Clubcard promotional offer feed through to the top line. The company will issue a third quarter trading update on Tuesday. The performance in the third quarter last year was below par which means
Read moreIG warns of new CFD trading rules in Japan
22nd Oct 2009 09:41
Spread betting firm IG Group has alerted the market to possible regulatory changes in Japan relating to contracts for difference (CFDs). The Financial Services Agency in Japan (FSAJ) has announced a public consultation period running to 16 November 2009 on its proposals to restrict gearing on CFDs
Read moreThorntons chairman stocks up
11th Sep 2009 17:13
Thorntons chairman John von Spreckelsen has tucked into another helping of shares in the chocolate retailer, spending £55,000. He paid 110p a time for 50,000 shares, taking his holding to 1.05m, which is 1.54% of the firm. The shares have surged since von Spreckelsen last went on a spending spree
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market in holiday mood
9th Sep 2009 14:22
Footsie made an assault on the 5,000 level over the lunchtime session but fell short, as investors took note of expectations of a flat start on Wall Street. With mergers and acquisition activity back on the agenda British Airways is in demand on hopes of a swift conclusion to its team-up with Spani
Read moreLondon midday: Consumer confidence boost for equities
9th Sep 2009 12:03
After a hesitant start leading shares have turned higher, helped by the August Nationwide Consumer Confidence index which indicated British consumers are more confident than at any time since May last year. Oil and gas explorer BG Group hailed 'excellent' test drilling results from its 30% owned Gu
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Yell jumps 25%
9th Sep 2009 09:16
More positive broker coverage has given directories group Yell something to shout about and the shares are up by nearly 25%, continuing their strong run. Cazenove said it believes the shares could rise further as the firm balances its books and sees trading improve. Sports Direct shares are wanted
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