FTSE 250 movers: Pub groups in demand
30th Nov 2009 12:40
Pub groups are out of favour, with tenanted pub groups Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns among the heaviest fallers. It emerged today that their rival, the O' Neill's and All Bar One owner Mitchells and Butlers, has approached the Takeover Panel to rule whether a group of shareholders has been try
Read moreSunday tips round-up: Mothercare, James Fisher, Footsie Dogs
22nd Nov 2009 11:51
In India, there are 24m babies born every year. In China, there are 19m. These figures underscore the level of opportunity Mothercare has in its new international growth markets. There are opportunities in Britain too. In the next three years about 60pc of its UK store leases are up for rent revie
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 moreLondon open: Early gains for Footsie
18th Nov 2009 08:48
London's top stocks have opened higher following yesterday's drop, which brought a 4-day winning streak to an end. Troubled broadcaster ITV has confirmed the appointment of former Tory party MP Archie Norman as its new non-executive Chairman. He will take up the role in January 2010, when current e
Read moreMothercare sales rise 7.9%, confident for H2
18th Nov 2009 07:28
Children's retailer Mothercare reported a 7.9% hike in interim sales boosted by new overseas stores, but swung to a pre-tax loss after it was hit by charges. Group sales increased to £387.3m for the 28 weeks ended 10 October 2009 from £359.0m the same time a year before. Mothercare posted a pre-ta
Read moreWednesday preview: Land Securities, Experian, Mothercare
17th Nov 2009 15:13
Following hot on the heels of results from British Land on Tuesday, fellow real estate giant Land Securities issues interim figures on Wednesday. Like British Land it has been disposing of assets, selling its stake in the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham. The firm is still repaying debt but s
Read moreHottest toys won't break the bank this Christmas
30th Oct 2009 13:12
Parents won't have to win the lottery to pay for their children's Christmas presents this year as toymakers flood the shelves with affordable games and gizmos. The Toy Retailers Association (TRA) this week revealed the toys it thinks most kids want to find in their stocking Christmas morning. It s
Read moreWednesday tips round-up; Pearson, Greggs, Bunzl
21st Oct 2009 06:45
Pearson faces pressures in financial advertising at the FT Group while Penguin's performance is flat. However, underpinned by US stimulus spending and the natural hedge between higher US college enrolments and weaker US school budgets, Pearson should continue to prosper in North America while its
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips falter after recent strength
15th Oct 2009 16:38
London closed lower as bumper profits at US investment bank Goldman Sachs failed to spark Wall Street, which has retreated from the 10,000 mark hit last night. Goldman Sachs reported quarterly earnings per share of $5.25 versus the $4.24 predicted. Revenue of $12.37bn was much better than the $11.0
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks stuck in red
15th Oct 2009 15:13
Bumper profits at US investment bank Goldman Sachs have failed to ignite fresh buying interest on Wall Street, leaving London weaker as resource plays struggle. Goldman Sachs pitched in with forecast-busting third quarter numbers, but that's not been enough to extend the Dow's gains above 10,000. T
Read moreLondon midday: Sainsbury's soars on Qatar rumours
15th Oct 2009 12:12
J Sainsbury is the stand-out riser so far on talk that the Qatar investors in the supermarket are looking to build on their current 26% stake, but it is no more than rumours so far. Otherwise Footsie is marking time, but that could change after bumper figures from Goldman Sachs. The banking giant r
Read moreLondon open: Shares add to stellar gains
15th Oct 2009 08:19
London's top stocks are adding to yesterday's gains in early trading after the Dow Jones closed above the key 10,000 barrier for the first time in over a year. Miner Xstrata said today that it has no intention of making an offer for rival Anglo American. The announcement came after a put-up or shu
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