FTSE 250 movers: Mixed day for commodity stocks
20th Apr 2010 12:54
While it has been a busy day on the company news front in the FTSE 100, there has been little to move shares in the mid-cap index. Resource stocks are mixed, with oil group Wellstream and zinc and nickel miner Talvivaara vying for top spot, but oil and gas group Melrose Resources among the heaviest
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Oil stocks advance
6th Apr 2010 14:31
Oil group SOCO International has gushed higher after it said the second phase of development has begun on the Ca Ngu Vang oil and gas field, offshore Vietnam. The first well in the programme, CNV-6P-ST1, is expected to take around 60 days to drill. Oil-related stocks in general are boosted by stro
Read moreLondon close: Market unmoved by Budget
24th Mar 2010 16:49
The blue-chip index finished marginally higher after a Budget that was light on bells and whistles While there was little in the Budget to excite anyone other than first-time buyers, cider drinkers and British occupants of Dominica, Grenada and Belize, the corporate news scene was busy, with half
Read moreLondon afternoon: Banks bounce after Budget
24th Mar 2010 14:42
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has delivered his Budget speech and the net effect has been to leave the Footsie barely changed on the day. Banks seem to have been the major beneficiaries of the Chancellor's speech, with the absence of any bank bashing leading to firmer prices for part-nationalised
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Bellway builds gains
24th Mar 2010 13:23
Bellway leads the risers. The housebuilder upped its dividend by 10% after moving back into profit in the half year to January 31. Pre-tax profits during the six month period totalled £19m, up from a loss of £48.6m. Turnover climbed to £360.8m from £320.2m, as falling house prices attracted new buy
Read moreMelrose profit slumps 78%
24th Mar 2010 08:31
Oil and gas explorer Melrose Resources reported a 78% decline in annual pre-tax profit, hurt by a drop in commodity prices, but believes 2010 will be a year of significant growth. Profit before tax of fell to $30.9m for the year ended 31 December 2009 from $143.3m in 2008. Turnover fell to $224m fr
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Henderson, Moneysupermarket, Melrose
25th Feb 2010 05:54
Investors have applauded Henderson's New Star deal, more than doubling the share price from 50½p in January 2009 to yesterday's close of 122.1p. The price has eased since January amid predictions of a forthcoming market correction and renewed worries that a double-dip recession will weaken consumer
Read moreOil production rise cheers Melrose
24th Feb 2010 10:31
Shares in Melrose Resources gushed higher after the oil and gas explorer and producer gave an update of its daily production in 2009 that was slightly ahead of guidance. Output during the year amounted to 38.6m barrels of oil a day (Mboepd), compared with guidance of 38.5Mboepd. This is an 8.6% in
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Melrose oil production impresses
24th Feb 2010 10:13
Shares in Melrose Resources gushed higher after the oil and gas explorer and producer gave an update of its daily production in 2009 that was slightly ahead of its latest guidance. Output during the year amounted to 38.6m barrels of oil a day (Mboepd), compared with guidance of 38.5Mboepd. Price co
Read moreLondon close: Banks spooked by higher capital call
17th Dec 2009 16:34
Banks sank on a call for tougher capital requirements and coupled with a weak mining sector it meant a poor day in London. Lloyds Banking took a pasting, while Standard Chartered and Barclays were also among the worst performers. The Basel Committee of central bankers and supervisors called for st
Read moreLondon afternoon: Barclays hit by lawsuit
17th Dec 2009 13:55
Footsie remains deep in negative territory, and with US markets set to open lower, there is no prospect of a boost from Wall Street. Banks and miners are responsible for much of the blue-chip index's fall. Lloyds Banking is leading the fallers, while Standard Chartered and Barclays are also among t
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Capita, Mothercare, Vodafone
19th Nov 2009 06:12
It is too soon to tell whether the City's underlying fear ? that Capita's years of consistent double-digit growth are ending ? will be realised. However, in the interim, professional investors may prove unwilling to pay 721¾p, or 17 times 2010 earnings, if that trajectory is in doubt. For that reaso
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish for FTSE 100
18th Nov 2009 16:33
There was no shortage of market moving news today, but with stocks moving in both directions, Footsie finished little changed. It was day for high profile board room appointments, with the share prices of Marks & Spencer and ITV both responding well to an end to uncertainty over leadership issues.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Hershey & Ferrero size up Cadbury
18th Nov 2009 14:05
It has been a day for high profile board room appointments, with the share prices of Marks & Spencer and ITV both responding well to an end to uncertainty over leadership issues. Retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has poached Marc Bolland, chief executive of supermarket chain Morrisons, to be its new b
Read moreLondon midday: Market cheers M&S appointment
18th Nov 2009 12:02
Retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) moved to the top of the news agenda this morning after it announced it has poached Marc Bolland, chief executive of supermarket chain Morrisons, to be its new boss. While Marks & Spencer's shares responded positively to the appointment, shares in Morrisons fell back o
Read more