Broker snap: Acquisitions shine at Micro Focus
11th Nov 2009 11:16
Broker Charles Stanley has described the turnaround in the performance of Compuware and Borland under the new ownership of Micro Focus as 'stunning'. The market appears to agree, with the share price of the UK legacy software specialist rising sharply in early trade on Wednesday. The broker says t
Read moreLondon open: Stocks advance early on
11th Nov 2009 08:34
Buyers have piled into mining heavyweights again as metal prices continue to surge, while trading updates and results give International Power and Sainsbury's a boost. Sainsbury's has posted a healthy rise in profits in the 28 weeks to October 3, but repeated a warning that lower food price inflati
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early rise expected
11th Nov 2009 07:35
Footsie is expected to rise in early dealings, with supermarket Sainsbury's in focus after releasing its interim numbers. Sainsbury's posted a healthy rise in profits in the 28 weeks to October 3, but repeated a warning that lower food price inflation will affect growth in the second half. Pre-tax
Read moreAcquisitions prompt Micro Focus upgrade
11th Nov 2009 07:04
Micro Focus's two recent acquisitions, Borland and Compuware, have performed much better than expected and the legacy software specialist has upped its forecasts for both interim sales and underlying profits. After a "strong close to the first half" the group now expects to report total revenues of
Read moreWednesday preview: Sainsbury, Balfour Beatty, Microfocus
10th Nov 2009 15:50
Supermarket chain Sainsbury issues half-year results on Wednesday, having already warned that it is unlikely to be able to maintain its impressive sales growth, due to the effects of reduced inflation. Excluding the impact of the fuel and the VAT cut announced last November, like-for-like sales wer
Read moreLondon close: US data sinks Footsie
24th Sep 2009 16:46
Footsie turned down sharply in the last couple of hours of trading as US shares retreated on weak home sales and lower commodity prices, especially oil. Property companies led the UK lower after Canary Wharf property owner Songbird announced it would issue 62bn shares at a penny each as part of a
Read moreMicrofocus outlook remains the same
24th Sep 2009 16:39
Software firm Micro Focus International said the trading outlook across the group remains consistent with its first quarter trading statement. The acquisitions of Borland and the Testing/ASQ assets of Compuware have now been completed, which the group said gives it a strong position in the compleme
Read moreLondon afternoon: Property stocks a drag
24th Sep 2009 15:03
After spending the lunchtime session in positive territory the Footsie has fallen back into the red, with property companies leading the way down. Land Securities, British Land, SEGRO and Hammerson are all under the cosh as investors cool on the sector following huge cash calls this week by Liberty
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market in holiday mood
9th Sep 2009 14:22
Footsie made an assault on the 5,000 level over the lunchtime session but fell short, as investors took note of expectations of a flat start on Wall Street. With mergers and acquisition activity back on the agenda British Airways is in demand on hopes of a swift conclusion to its team-up with Spani
Read moreLondon midday: Consumer confidence boost for equities
9th Sep 2009 12:03
After a hesitant start leading shares have turned higher, helped by the August Nationwide Consumer Confidence index which indicated British consumers are more confident than at any time since May last year. Oil and gas explorer BG Group hailed 'excellent' test drilling results from its 30% owned Gu
Read moreLondon open: Dull start for Footsie
9th Sep 2009 08:43
London has opened lower despite another good day on Wall Street as Nasdaq hit an eleven-month high. Oil and gas explorer BG Group revealed more good news from Brazil an excellent test drill on its 30% owned Guara discovery in the Santos Basin off the coast of Brazil. The discovery is estimated to c
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie to surrender Tuesday's gains
9th Sep 2009 07:40
A softer start is foreseen for London with traders expecting the FTSE 100 to open down by around 13 points at 4,934 despite some generally favourable news flow on the corporate front this morning. Sportswear retailer Sports Direct said trading levels since July have been ahead of last year and expe
Read moreMicro Focus chief steps down
9th Sep 2009 07:35
Stephen Kelly, chief executive of legacy software specialist Micro Focus is to step down for personal reasons. The firm said a search for a successor will commence immediately, adding that Kelly will work with the board and the broader management team to ensure a smooth and well managed transition
Read moreAquarius non-exec makes purchase
18th Aug 2009 16:21
David Dix, non-executive director of Aquarius Platinum, has acquired 100,000 shares in the miner. He acquired 89,943 shares at A$5.58 a share and subsequently purchased 10,057 shares at A$5.31 each. Dix, who was appointed to the board in 2004, now holds 100,000 shares in the group. Last week, the
Read moreLondon close: Stocks near session high
12th Aug 2009 16:14
Footsie closed near a session high on Wednesday as London's top stocks continued to add to gains in afternoon trade, with banks among the best performers. Lloyds Banking finished up more than 6%, closely followed by fellow part-nationalised lender Royal Bank of Scotland . The FSA unveiled a new co
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