TechMARK movers: Triad leads fallers
12th Aug 2009 14:10
Triad is the biggest faller after the IT firm said its sales pipeline continues to be affected by uncertainty in market conditions caused by the economic crisis. This has continued into the second quarter of the new financial year, impacting the group's operating margins and utilisation levels. Th
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains trimmed
12th Aug 2009 14:10
London is clinging onto positive territory as Wall Street gears up for a slow start ahead of tonight's Federal Reserve policy statement. Banks continue to do well. Royal Bank of Scotland agreed to sell its Pakistan unit to MCB Bank for $87m (£53m). The UK lender, 70%-owned by the British governmen
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Emerald Energy sparkles on bid
12th Aug 2009 13:15
Emerald Energy is leading the risers after emerged Chinese state-run oil company Sinochem Resources has made a bid for the firm. Among the other main risers are housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Barratt. Legacy software specialist Micro Focus has predicted a running twelve-month revenue contribution
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie rallies despite BoE caution
12th Aug 2009 12:16
Footsie has rallied despite a mixed morning for UK economic news with unemployment hitting a new 14-year high and low key comments about UK recovery from the Bank of England. In the central bank's quarterly inflation report, Bank governor Mervyn King said the sustainability and strength of any reco
Read moreLondon open: Dull start for Footsie
12th Aug 2009 08:45
London's leading share index is in reverse gear again as the banks drift lower with miners also weak after BHP Billiton's figures and four Rio executives being charged with bribery by China. Full-year profits have halved at miner BHP Billiton as the recession slashed volumes and sent prices tumbli
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start expected
12th Aug 2009 07:47
A flat start is expected from London's leading share index after yesterday's losses. Full-year profits have halved at miner BHP Billiton as the recession slashed volumes and sent prices tumbling, although restocking and improving demand is brightening the outlook. The world's largest mining company
Read moreMicro Focus spells out acquisition benefits
12th Aug 2009 07:23
Legacy software specialist Micro Focus has predicted a running twelve-month revenue contribution of $150m from recent acquisitions Compuware and Borland. Combined EBITDA margins will be approximately 15% in the first year of ownership, well below the rest of the group, but with the longer term seei
Read moreLondon close: Footsie adds 2%
1st Jul 2009 16:34
Miners were rampant Wednesday on stronger commodity prices, leaving the sector heavyweights dominating the blue chip index. There was healthy demand for gold on the metal markets, while copper also improved. The red metal headed higher following strong Chinese manufacturing data, while decreasing s
Read moreLondon afternoon: Resource stocks lead the way
1st Jul 2009 14:29
Resource stocks lead the market higher after the second half of the year got off to a good start following better than expected factory output data. The CIPS/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 47 in June from 45.4 the month before and a gloomy 34.9 in February. Most of the top
Read moreLondon midday: Marks sparks rally
1st Jul 2009 12:06
A well received set of results from Marks & Sparks and the strength of miners drives London higher today. Marks and Spencer's like-for-like sales fell across its major divisions in the first quarter, though total group sales were up. In the 13-weeks to June, UK like for like sales fell 1.4%, Genera
Read moreLondon open: Footsie strongly ahead
1st Jul 2009 08:50
It is all blue this morning so far with demand for miners adding to well received trading statements from Marks & Spencer and International Power. Bus and rail group National Express is the big story. It has handed back the East Coast franchise after failing to renegotiate terms. The service will n
Read moreLondon pre-open: Slight advance expected
1st Jul 2009 07:47
Footsie is tipped to edge higher in early dealings. Marks and Spencer's saw like-for-like sales fall across its major divisions in the first quarter, though total group sales were up. In the 13-weeks to June, UK like for like sales fell 1.4%, General Merchandise slipped 2.4% and Food was down 0.5%.
Read moreMicro Focus ups Borland bid a second time
1st Jul 2009 07:10
Legacy software group Micro Focus has upped its cash offer for Borland by a second time to see off a potential rival bidder. Micro Focus is now offering $1.50 cash for each outstanding share of Borland Software Corporation, which values it, on a fully diluted basis, at approximately $113m. The new
Read moreLondon close: Stocks finish in the red
26th Jun 2009 16:25
London's leading shares finished in the red by close as Wall Street remained in negative territory. Insurer were down with Friends Provident, Prudential and Legal & General lower while miners Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto and Vedanta were also down. The banks are in a healthier condition
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie in red
26th Jun 2009 14:13
London has slipped into negative territory, led by insurers and some wayward miners, while Wall Street is seen starting lower. Friends Provident, Prudential and Legal & General are among the biggest fallers, joined by Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto and Vedanta. The banks are in a healthier
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