Informa on track in 2011
12th May 2011 11:31
Specialist business publisher and trade events group Informa is on track for the full year, after first quarter revenues grew by 4.6%, helped by strong growth in Events and Training and a better-than-expected performance in Academic Information. Events and Training - which accounts for 45% of the
Read moreIncoming United Utilities boss splashes out
16th Mar 2011 16:28
United Utilities' incoming chief executive has spent £400,000 on shares in the water supplier. Steven Mogford, who will take the reins at United Utilities on 31 March, took 70,814 shares at 564.9p a time, his first purchase of shares in the company. Mogford's appointment was announced in November
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Anglo American, Informa, Devro...
23rd Feb 2011 06:43
Anglo American has a clear growth strategy, with a pipeline of 60 projects requiring $70bn of investment. It plans to double production of its commodities over the next decade. Anglo's Barro Alto nickel project in Brazil will begin production imminently and its Los Bronces copper expansion in Chil
Read moreLondon close: Rally falls short as Libya casts shadow
22nd Feb 2011 17:00
Strong consumer confidence figures in the US sparked an impressive rally from the top share index this afternoon following earlier gloom over the Libyan turmoil and the higher oil price, but worries re-emerged and the FTSE 100 finished below 6,000. BHP Billiton is one of those that has limped into
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Lamprell and Croda lead the risers
22nd Feb 2011 14:47
Engineering services provider Lamprell is a big mover today after announcing a new contract award from Singapore company Greatship Global Energy Services. Not far behind is speciality chemicals group Croda International which more than doubled its 2010 pre-tax profits. Also higher are oil prices a
Read moreLondon afternoon: Modest rally continues
22nd Feb 2011 14:12
Shares continued to pare the morning's losses over the lunch time trading session, and from a position at the mid-morning stage where only five FTSE 100 constituents were in positive territory, by 2pm that number had grown to around 20. BHP Billiton is one of those that has limped into the black. T
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE plunges below 6,000 on Libya worries
22nd Feb 2011 12:10
Shares are under pressure today as the Libya crisis pushes up oil prices, though precious metal miners are benefitting from defensive buying. Oil prices are higher again, with Brent crude for April settlement rising past $108 a barrel, not good news for British Airways owner IAG, which is one of to
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 below 6,000 as Libya casts shadow
22nd Feb 2011 08:24
The FTSE 100 is back below 6,000 points as the ongoing turmoil in Lybia continues to jangle traders' nerves. Oil prices are higher again, not good news for British Airways owner IAG, which is one of today's notable fallers. The high gold price as investors seek a safe haven has lifted African Barri
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie to go sub-6,000
22nd Feb 2011 07:39
Yesterday's Libya-fuelled sell-off looks set to continue this morning with traders predicting the blue-chip index will open below the 6,000 level at somewhere around 5,980, 35 points below last night's close. Higher oil prices won't worry coal-fired power station operator Drax, however, though the
Read moreInforma profits up despite flat sales
22nd Feb 2011 07:18
Specialist business publisher and trade events group Informa posted a sharp rise in profits in the year to 31 December despite flat revenues as it adjusted to the tough climate by consolidating publications, getting rid of marginal ones and reducing the scale of some events. Informa, whose publicat
Read moreTuesday preview: Drax, Informa
21st Feb 2011 15:42
The winter chill will have given a boost to power provider Drax, which brings out full year results on Tuesday. The market has pencilled in a figure of £305.4m for the coal-fired power station owner's pre-tax profits, on turnover of £1,426m. Broker Matrix predicts earnings before interest, tax, dep
Read moreLondon close: Footsie sluggish as Ireland hogs limelight
17th Nov 2010 16:52
Footsie limped to a slightly higher finish on a sluggish day dominated by uncertainty over the Irish debt situation. Ireland appeared close to accepting a European bailout Wednesday ahead of a visit from European Union and International Monetary Fund experts the following day. The discussions shoul
Read moreLondon afternoon: Waiting for the dust to clear
17th Nov 2010 14:35
Investors continue to adopt a wait and see approach, biding their time until the Irish debt situation becomes clearer. UK economic news has been good, but not amazingly so. There was an unexpected fall in unemployment in October and a widely-anticipated three-way split in views on the Bank of Engla
Read moreBroker tips: Burberry, Informa, Mothercare
17th Nov 2010 12:45
Despite Burberry's first half results beating forecasts, Nomura has maintained its neutral stance on the stock, not seeing much in the near term to excite investors. Several elements of the fashion retailer's business have given "confidence in the opportunity for continued profit growth", says the
Read moreBroker snap: Debt worries eased at Informa
17th Nov 2010 12:18
The $729m fund raising through a US placing of loan notes will reduce net debt at Informa and should provide a boost to the shares, KBC Peel Hunt believes. Apart from the news of the fund raising, there was not a lot in the business publisher's interim management statement to get excited about, and
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