London close: Stocks fall as nervousness sets in
28th Jan 2011 16:51
Shares were nursing big losses by the end of the day as more gloomy economic figures stoked nervousness. Consumer stocks were under the cosh after UK consumer confidence in January slumped in January, as the VAT rise kicked in. Insipid weekly trading figures from department store group John Lewis h
Read moreLondon afternoon: Confidence blow for equities
28th Jan 2011 14:50
Leading shares are lower, with consumer stocks under the cosh after UK consumer confidence in January slumped in January, as the VAT rise kicked in. Insipid weekly trading figures from department store group John Lewis have not helped sentiment. The GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index dropped eight p
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie stabilises at lower level
28th Jan 2011 12:19
London fell sharply in early dealings on the back of weak overseas markets but it has spent most of the day around the 5,920 mark. S&P's decision to cut its credit rating for Japan and some poor company results hurt the Nikkei in Tokyo on Friday and this has spilled over into London. The market i
Read moreLondon open: Poor start as miners slip
28th Jan 2011 08:54
London has slipped back in early dealings after a dull day on Wall Street and weak showing in Asia overnight. S&P's decision to cut its credit rating for Japan and some poor company results hurt the Nikkei in Tokyo on Friday and this has spilled over into London. Miners are dragging Footsie lower.
Read moreLondon pre-open: Another step back for Footsie
28th Jan 2011 07:40
Weakness in the Far East and a close below 12,000 in the US last night are set to point London lower in early action. S&P's decision to cut its credit rating for Japan and some poor company results hurt the Nikkei Friday, while mixed results and disappointing data capped gains on Wall Street. It co
Read moreMarston's enjoys merry Christmas
28th Jan 2011 07:03
Though its trading statement contained the now familiar grumble about the miserable weather in December, pubs owner and ale brewer Marston's said profitability was in line with expectations in the 16 weeks to 22 January. In the group's managed pubs division like for like (LFL) sales over the period
Read moreFriday preview: Pub owners discuss winter trade
27th Jan 2011 15:58
The weekend starts early for two of the pub sector's biggest names when they bring the market up to speed on developments. Snow before Christmas in the Midlands and North West is expected to have stopped drinkers getting to pubs run by Marston's, though the weather cleared up in time for New Year w
Read moreBroker tips: Marston's, Serco, ASOS
24th Jan 2011 13:31
Pub group and brewer Marston's share price has taken a hit in the last couple of months making what Peel Hunt described as the best operator in the modern pub industry an even bigger bargain. Snow disruption, an "overwhelming exposure" to places with average public sector employment, and the north
Read moreBroker snap: Marston's well-placed to recover
24th Jan 2011 13:15
Pub group and brewer Marston's share price has taken a hit in the last couple of months making what Peel Hunt described as the best operator in the modern pub industry an even bigger bargain. Snow disruption, an "overwhelming exposure" to places with average public sector employment, and the north
Read moreGovernment's low-cost alcohol initiative lacks bottle
18th Jan 2011 14:24
The coalition government is set to announce new measures on Tuesday designed to cut back on the practice of retailers offering deep discounts on alcoholic drinks. Though the new proposals will not prevent shops from selling alcoholic drinks as "loss leaders", it is understood that the government wi
Read moreLondon close: Market jumps 125 points
2nd Dec 2010 16:33
Blue chips staged an impressive late rally to finish more than 100 points higher for the second day running. There was no big bond repurchase programme today from the European Central Bank, but a decision to extend the current one for three months was enough to get buyers in a lather again. "We ex
Read moreLondon afternoon: ECB inaction deflates market
2nd Dec 2010 14:28
The absence of any mention of plans to launch a bond purchase in the European Central Bank (ECB) press conference this afternoon has taken some of the glow off equities. "We expect the governments to follow what they are committed to, they all have their adjustment and stabilisation programmes," E
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Investors toast Marston's profit rise
2nd Dec 2010 14:04
Shares in Marston's rose after the pub group and brewer posted a rise in profits despite tough trading in the year to October 2, helped by its shift towards food-oriented pubs. The company, which operates centrally managed pubs such as the Pitcher and Piano chain as well as leasing premises to lan
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stay strong as updates impress
2nd Dec 2010 12:02
Company announcements have mostly been well-received today, helping to keep the leading share index in positive territory. All eyes will be on European Central Bank President (ECB) Jean-Claude Trichet at this afternoon's press conference following the interest rate decision for the eurozone, which
Read moreLondon open: More gains for FTSE 100
2nd Dec 2010 08:25
Shares have got off to a good start as traders continue to hope for action on the eurozone debt crisis. All eyes will be on European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet at this afternoon's press conference following the interest rate decision for the eurozone. Company updates have also bee
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