TechMARK movers: Micro Focus slightly lower
26th Jun 2009 12:49
The bid by Micro Focus for legendary software company Borland may have hit a snag after the US company informed Micro Focus it has received an approach from a third party. It is the second time that Micro Focus's pursuit of Borland has been joined by a potential rival. The previous preliminary app
Read moreLondon midday: Shares crawl higher
26th Jun 2009 12:18
Risers outnumber fallers by two to one among Footsie constituents but the benchmark index is barely in positive territory, as some of the heavily weighted constituents feature among the laggards. The banks are in a healthier condition than six months ago but are still vulnerable to more economic sh
Read moreMicro Focus may have rival in Borland bid
26th Jun 2009 08:13
The bid by Micro Focus for legendary software company Borland may have hit a snag after the US company informed Micro Focus it has received an approach from a third party. It is the second time that Micro Focus’s pursuit of Borland has been joined by a potential rival. The previous preliminary appr
Read moreTechMARK movers: Micro Focus profits rise
25th Jun 2009 13:47
Acquisitive legacy software specialist Micro Focus reported a 30.8% rise in full year pre-tax profits but warned that the impact of the recent Compuware acquisition is expected to reduce the overall group margin. Adjusted pre-tax profit increased to $115.9m in the year ended 30 April compared with
Read moreBroker tips: RBS, DSG, Micro Focus
25th Jun 2009 11:21
Royal Bank of Scotland, a day after The Banker magazine named it the worst performing bank in the world during 2008, has been given a boost by broker Cazenove, which has turned positive on the bank. Subscribing to the "less is more" dictum, Cazenove says the appeal of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) i
Read moreBroker snap: Micro Focus beats expectations
25th Jun 2009 11:18
Legacy software replacement specialists Micro Focus delivered full-year results ahead of pre-close period guidance, prompting broker KBC Peel Hunt to reiterate its recommendation to buy the shares. "Our FY10 forecast, pre the acquisitions, was for 6% revenue growth and EBITDA [earnings before inter
Read moreMicro Focus reports 31% rise in profits
25th Jun 2009 07:03
Acquisitive legacy software specialist Micro Focus reported a 30.8% rise in full year pre-tax profits but warned that the impact of the recent Compuware acquisition is expected to reduce the overall group margin. Adjusted pre-tax profit increased to $115.9m in the year ended 30 April compared with
Read moreThursday preview: DSG International, Micro Focus, DS Smith
24th Jun 2009 15:10
Shareholders in Currys and PC World owner DSG International will be bracing themselves for bad news when the company declares its full-year results on Thursday, after its rival, Kesa Electricals, announced a near 50% cut in underlying profits on Wednesday. DSG is expected to announced adjusted pre-
Read moreLondon close: Footsie closes flat
18th Jun 2009 16:34
A late afternoon rally fizzled out to leave Footsie little changed after a volatile day. Economic stories dominated the news with mixed data in the UK offset by better than expected intial jobless figures in the US. UK mortgage lending eased in May from the month before and was 58% lower than the
Read moreLondon afternoon: US rally lifts Footsie
18th Jun 2009 15:03
Better than expected US dole queue figures have lifted Footsie in the afternoon session, despite very mixed economic data here at home. Mortgage lending eased in May from the month before and was 58% lower than the same time last year, figures showed today. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) s
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Micro Focus cheered as Borland bid raised
18th Jun 2009 12:12
News that Micro Focus has improved the terms of its offer for legendary US software company Borland had shares in the software company higher Thursday. The UK firm is now offering $1.15 per Borland share, up from its previous offer of $1 per share, valuing the business at about $88m. Today's incre
Read moreLondon midday: Economic data knocks retailers
18th Jun 2009 12:02
Leading shares drift lower after disappointing retail sales and weaker mortgage lending in May. The economic data proved to be a double-whammy for DIY retailers Home Retail and Kingfisher, which feature prominently among the main fallers. Elsewhere in the retail sector fashion chain Next and Currys
Read moreLondon open: Miners and banks on the rise
18th Jun 2009 08:17
Miners and banking shares are leading London's top stocks higher in early dealings following recent heavy falls. In the mining sector, Xstrata is the strongest performer, closely followed by Kazakhmys, Fresnillo and Antofagasta. Banks are also in demand, with both Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds
Read moreLondon pre-open: Modest rally expected
18th Jun 2009 07:43
The recovery in equity prices seen late in the afternoon session on Wall Street yesterday has encouraged traders in London to expect a modestly firm opening on this side of the pond, with the FTSE 100 tipped to open around 16 points higher. Dairy Milk chocolate maker Cadbury has left its revenue gr
Read moreMicro Focus ups Borland bid terms
18th Jun 2009 07:16
Software company Micro Focus has improved the terms of its offer for legendary US software company Borland. Micro Focus is now offering $1.15 per Borland share, up from its previous offer of $1 per share. The terms value the entire issued share capital of Borland at about $88m. The increased offer
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