FTSE 250 movers: BBA Aviation lower after placing
2nd Mar 2011 13:37
BBA Aviation is providing a drag after the aviation services provider proposed a placing of up to 9.99% to raise cash for acquisitions. Meanwhile, terrestrial broadcaster ITV is surging after promising an interim dividend after bumping up profits by almost 200% in 2010. Not too far behind is stude
Read moreBroker tips: Astra, ITV, Next
2nd Mar 2011 13:14
UBS has downgraded pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca as broker believes the scope for outperformance over a 12-month time frame has been reduced. UBS has shifted from a "buy" rating to "neutral", now that the market has taken account of higher expected returns from Crestor, Astra's cholesterol treat
Read moreBroker snap: ITV upgraded after impressive 2010
2nd Mar 2011 11:50
A strong set of results from ITV is likely to trigger earnings estimates upgrades and has made a believer out of broker Peel Hunt. The terrestrial broadcaster reported 2010 revenue of £2.06bn and pre-tax profit of £321m, beating the broker's forecasts of £1.92bn and £276.2m, respectively. Debt fell
Read moreLondon open: Subdued start as Libya weighs
2nd Mar 2011 08:49
Blue chips have made a subdued start with the ongoing situation in the Middle East/North Africa and possible impact on oil prices weighing heavy. Some shares are making progress. Profits in 2010 from Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were bang in line with forecasts at $6.12bn, while 2011 got of
Read moreLondon pre-open: London to carry on swooning
2nd Mar 2011 07:38
After experiencing a late dive yesterday share prices in London look set to wilt again at the outset, with City traders predicting the blue-chip index will open around 50 points easier. Profits in 2010 from Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were bang in line with forecasts at $6.12bn, while 2011
Read moreITV profits triple
2nd Mar 2011 07:07
ITV has promised an interim dividend after cost cutting and an upturn in the advertising market allowed the terrestrial broadcaster to ramp up profits by almost 200% in 2010. Profit before tax and one-off items leapt to a bigger than expected £321m from £108m in 2009 on revenue up 10% to £2.06bn. N
Read moreWednesday preview: Standard Chartered, Serco, ITV
1st Mar 2011 17:49
With results from HSBC out of the way, it is time for the other London-listed Asia-focused banking giant, Standard Chartered, to take centre stage on Wednesday. Standard Chartered makes around three-quarters of its profits from Asia, and competition has been hotting up in the region, putting margin
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Libya, Oil, HSBC...
27th Feb 2011 11:08
The International Energy Agency, the adviser to developed nations, said this weekend it was ready to dip into emergency stockpiles if the upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa affects oil supplies for a "prolonged" period. Libya shut down 850,000 barrels of production last week ? about 1% of
Read moreLondon close: Shares jump after sluggish start
24th Jan 2011 16:46
Shares put their early indecisiveness behind them to close with good gains after a decent start on Wall Street. Banks were weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms. The political
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks edge higher
24th Jan 2011 14:49
After a morning of indecision, leading shares pushed on over the lunch time session, despite the weakness of the banking sector. Banks are weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms
Read moreLondon close: One-month high for Footsie
13th Dec 2010 16:33
More than £2bn of merger and acquisition activity got pulses racing in City dealing rooms, combining with strong miners and gains on Wall Street to send London to its highest in a month. Oilfield services group Wood Group is forking out $955m (£607m) for rival PSN, which it will merge with its prod
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie maintains lead
13th Dec 2010 15:04
Blue chips are trading not far off their best levels of the day, still led by mining stocks and supported by a decent start on Wall Street. A rash of merger and acquisition activity over here is replicated in the US, getting investors in buying mood in the absence of any major economic news. Oilfi
Read moreLondon midday: Shares still ahead
13th Dec 2010 12:10
Shares remain buoyant, with oilfield services stocks in the spotlight amid some well-received news from the sector. Wood Group expects results this year to be slightly ahead of expectations. The Aberdeen-based firm saw continued progress at most of its key divisions. Its engineering unit secured a
Read moreLondon open: Healthy start for blue chips
13th Dec 2010 08:42
London has made decent progress in early dealings with oil services groups lifting the mood. Wood Group expects results this year to be slightly ahead of expectations. The Aberdeen-based firm saw continued progress at most of its key divisions. Its Engineering unit secured a number of awards durin
Read moreX Factor to smash records for ITV
12th Dec 2010 17:47
A record number of viewers are expected to watch the X Factor final results show on ITV Sunday night, generating an estimated £20-25m in ad revenue for the embattled broadcaster. The price for prime-time slots during the final has hit £250,000, or over £8,000 per second and because the final has be
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