FTSE 100 Movers: Kingfisher bucks the trend
12th Sep 2011 13:00
Kingfisher, the company behind the DIY chain B&Q, has unveiled plans to open nine news stores in Russia in a move to cash in on the recent trend among the country's middle class for DIY home improvement. The company was joined higher by just one other company, satellite operator Inmarsat. Fresn
Read moreWeek Ahead: Next, Kingfisher, Ashmore
9th Sep 2011 13:51
Two stalwarts of the UK high street are reporting next week, namely fashion chain Next and DIY retailer Kingfisher. Charles Stanley is expecting Next to report a solid set of interim results, with profit before tax of £240m, up from £214m at the halfway stage last year. Earnings before interest, t
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish after late rally, RBS and Barclays lag
6th Sep 2011 16:44
London's leading share index rediscovered its earlier buoyancy to close with good gains after another choppy day. Shares had given up early gains after a weak start on Wall Street, but rallied in late trading, though banks RBS and Barclays were left behind. Company updates were the main cause for
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds leads banking rally
6th Sep 2011 12:13
The top share index is posting big gains now as banks recover and company updates get the thumbs up. Lloyds Banking leads banks higher after a bad day for the sector yesterday amid talk that ratings agency Moody's is set to downgrade the sector. Company updates are the main cause for excitement th
Read moreBroker snap: Money's too tight too mention for retailers, says Citi
6th Sep 2011 10:32
So gloomy is broker Citigroup about British retailers that it has resorted to quoting a Mancunian soul band to express its feelings on the sector. In a note that takes its title from the Simply Red cover "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)", Citi has lowered its rating on the UK retail sector to "neutr
Read moreLondon open: Whitbread leads the rise
6th Sep 2011 08:29
The Footsie opened moderately higher in early trading, helped by strong gains by coffee shop, restaurant and hotel owner Whitbread. Whitbread was the high riser on the blue chip index, gaining over 5%, after it was able to accelerate revenue growth during the first half, posting a 12.9% improvement
Read moreLondon close: European hopes boost Footsie back to 5,900
21st Jul 2011 16:34
London equities rallied to a strong finish - recouping the losses experienced over the last week - on hopes of a solution to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. At midday, shares offset early losses as reports surfaced that Europe's leaders have agreed on a new aid package for Greece and an overh
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials soar on Eurozone hopes
21st Jul 2011 15:02
Financials were leading the recovery on Thursday afternoon following a fall earlier in the day, on hopes of a solution to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. European leaders agreed a new aid package for Greece and an overhaul of the Eurozone sovereign rescue fund. Among the proposals are a reduct
Read moreBroker tips: Kingfisher, Mitchells & Butlers, Britvic
21st Jul 2011 12:48
Singer Capital Markets said that despite DIY retailer Kingfisher reporting broadly weaker-than-expected trading over the last ten weeks, full-year forecasts are likely to remain intact. "KGF was slightly ahead of plan after Q1 and although the UK has been weak, this is not bad enough to more than
Read moreBroker snap: Forecasts to remain intact at Kingfisher, says Singer
21st Jul 2011 12:47
Singer Capital Markets said that despite DIY retailer Kingfisher reporting broadly weaker-than-expected trading over the last ten weeks, full-year forecasts are likely to remain intact. During the first 11 weeks of the second quarter to 16 July, group sales grew by 1%, with sales in France and 'Ot
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks give up gains ahead of summit
21st Jul 2011 12:03
This morning's bright start seems a distance memory, with stocks are deep in the red ahead of the EU summit on the sovereign debt crisis. Latest reports say Germany and France intend to let Greece default temporarily as part of a programme of buying back bonds. They have also ruled out bank levies.
Read moreKingfisher suffers in the UK but France sales strong
21st Jul 2011 07:23
Kingfisher, the FTSE 100 DIY retailer, saw sales down 0.5% in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year. Total sales including new stores were up 1% if adjustments are made for currency fluctuations. The French operation performed strongly; Castorama was up +1.9% on a like f
Read moreThursday preview: Kingfisher, Capita, Astra, retail sales
20th Jul 2011 15:18
Do-it-yourself retailer Kingfisher has become something of a two-speed company, with the UK operations holding back the French business; Thursday's trading update may reveal whether that is still the case. "We expect UK LFL [like-for-like] sales at B&Q to be down strongly in the second quarter, gi
Read moreWeek Ahead: BoE notes, Kingfisher, Capita
15th Jul 2011 12:22
Wednesday sees the release of the minutes of the most recent minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and though it is assumed that voting on interest rate policy has become a bit of a non-event, Dr. Howard Archer, the seemingly omnipresent economist of forecasting agency IHS
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Chinese data fuels demand for miners
13th Jul 2011 14:09
A better-than expected rise in Chinese gross domestic product spurred a rally in metals prices, helping gains for the miners. Fresnillo, Randgold Resources and Kazakhmys were among the highest risers on Wednesday afternoon. Mining titan Xstrata was also in demand after taking full control of the P
Read more