Good trading over Easter for Marston's
19th May 2011 07:05
Food sales continue to drive growth at brewing and pubs group Marston's, though drinkers are putting their hands in their pockets more often, too. Revenue in the 26 weeks to April 2nd rose to £317.9m from £309.2m at the interim stage last year. Marston's Inns and Taverns, the group's managed pub
Read moreThursday preview: National Grid, Marston's, Retail Sales
18th May 2011 18:25
Power provider National Grid's full year results are expected to unveil profits before tax of £2.43bn on revenue of £15.14bn. Earnings per share (EPS) are tipped to be 49.25p while market consensus for the full year dividend if 36.57p. "Despite a major macro tailwind in the UK, we would expect the
Read moreBG finance director cashes in some chips
25th Mar 2011 18:26
BG has been a star performer among the giant oil and gas companies, thanks to its stake in the huge oil finds being made offshore Brazil and its finance director has decided to take profits on his stake in the company. Barely a week goes by without any new discovery in the Santos basin, with BG's
Read moreBroker tips: Greggs, Vodafone, Marston's
17th Mar 2011 13:32
Greggs made good progress in 2010 against its shop roll-out and cost control plans, and this is expected to continue into 2011 despite a challenging retail environment, according to UBS. The popular bakery chain announced 2010 results Wednesday that were broadly in line with the broker expectations
Read moreBroker snap: Lack of catalyst at Marston's
17th Mar 2011 10:49
Credit Suisse raises forecasts at brewing and pubs group Marston's but remains cautious saying that there is a lack of near-term catalysts, given potential consumer headwinds. Estimates for 2011 remain unchanged but the 2012 and 2013 earnings forecasts are raised by 4% and 8%, respectively. "This r
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Imagination Technologies, Mecom, Marston's
17th Mar 2011 06:29
Imagination Technologies is a British-based company that designs chips for smartphones such Apple's wildly popular iPhone and tablets like the California-based tech-giant's iPad. Smartphones and tablets is clearly the place to be. Yet, the Independent has picked Arm as our preferred stock out of the
Read moreLondon close: Market closes at low for the day
16th Mar 2011 17:07
An attempt at an early afternoon rally was short-lived and Footsie ended at its low for the day as investors continue to worry about the situation in Japan and sovereign debt in Europe after the downgrade of Portugal's debt by ratings agency Moody's. A sharp fall on Wall Street did not help sentime
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks pare losses
16th Mar 2011 14:06
Stocks pared losses over the lunch time session leaving the overall picture looking mixed, though the Footsie is slightly easier on balance, as investors continue to fret about the fall-out from the Japanese disaster, while sovereign debt concerns in Europe have been revived by the downgrade of Port
Read moreLondon midday: Market remains in the red
16th Mar 2011 11:50
The decline in the FTSE 100 appears to have bottomed out although there are continuing worries over the post-earthquake situation in Japan. A fire at the plant's fourth reactor sent radiation levels soaring and forced what few workers are left battling the potential disaster to retreat. Japan's Emp
Read moreLondon open: Footsie struggles as Japan news worsens
16th Mar 2011 08:54
Hopes of a rally after a bounce in Tokyo overnight have been dashed by more worrying news from the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. A fire at the plant's fourth reactor sent radiation levels soaring and forced what few workers are left battling the potential disaster to retreat. Japan's E
Read moreLondon pre-open: Buyers expected to return
16th Mar 2011 07:37
It looks like prices have fallen low enough to attract buyers back into the market with traders saying the Footsie index is expected to open higher, possibly by as much as 30 points. There has been a brace of executive departures in the leisure industry with the chief executives of hotels group Int
Read moreTenanted division back in the black at Marston's
16th Mar 2011 07:16
The food offering at brewing and pubs group Marston's is defying consumers' attempts at belt tightening, while even beer sales are up this year. The company said it has "delivered an encouraging and robust performance despite the continued economic uncertainty" in the 23 weeks to 12 March, with pro
Read moreWednesday Preview: Greggs, Marston's, Hikma
15th Mar 2011 17:19
Results from Greggs will help give us a clearer picture of the state of the British High Street. Shore Capital is predicting a 7% rise in pre-tax profits from the baked snacks retailer, though the broker is less cheery over trading so far this year. One interesting aspect to look out for is what Gr
Read moreTravis Perkins chairman shows confidence
24th Feb 2011 17:02
Travis Perkins chairman Robert Walker has invested nearly £150,000 in the builders' merchants. He has bought 15,000 shares at 994.75p each, which takes his stake to 80,000 shares. Walker is also chairman of WH Smith and a non-exec at Tate & Lyle. The share purchase came after Travis Perkins an
Read moreSwann raises £1.6m from WH Smith sale
17th Feb 2011 16:42
Kate Swann, the boss of WH Smith has raised more than £1.6m from selling shares in the retailer. Swann sold shares in November and the latest sale means that she has raised nearly £3m in three months. On 16 February, Swann sold 345,846 shares at 476.09p each. That raised £1.65m. In November, the
Read more