London pre-open: Footsie to add to gains
15th Oct 2009 07:40
Footsie is expected to top up yesterday's strong gains after the Dow Jones closed above the psychologically important 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-u
Read moreMothercare Q2 sales up 7%
15th Oct 2009 07:26
Mothercare revealed a 7% rise in second quarter sales and issued a confident outlook for the remainder of the year. UK like-for-like sales during the thirteen weeks ended 10 October 2009 rose 3% while international retail sales during the period surged 23.2%. Direct in Home sales also put in a stro
Read moreThursday preview: WH Smith, Mothercare, SABMiller
14th Oct 2009 17:26
Retailers WH Smith and Mothercare are due to make trading announcements on Thursday. Newsagent chain WH Smith announces full year results that should see profit before tax climb to £81.5m from £76m a year earlier, despite sales that are forecast to dip to £1,327m from £1,352m. Like for like sales a
Read moreSector movers: S&N downgrade hurts healthcare equipment stocks
7th Oct 2009 15:20
Smith & Nephew is leading the health care equipment sector lower after the broker UBS downgraded the hip and knee specialist to 'neutral' from 'buy.' UBS is worried about tightening health budgets in the US. Carphone Warehouse, whose second quarter trading statement is due tomorrow, is helping lift
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Consumer stocks in demand
2nd Oct 2009 13:47
Among the risers are baby products retailer Mothercare, drinks firm Britvic, McBride, which makes household and personal care products for supermarkets to sell under their own name, and pork products supplier Cranswick. Engineer Morgan Crucible is the heaviest faller. FTSE 250 - Risers Rathbone Br
Read moreSunday tips round-up: Wood Group, Wincanton, Mothercare
30th Aug 2009 11:51
Wood Group's shares are trading on a December 2009 earnings multiple of 11.9, but this rises to 12.8 next year when earnings are expected to trough. The company upped its interim dividend by 11pc, but the yield is just 1.8pc after the recent strong gains. The long-term story is intact, but the Teleg
Read moreVodafone director spends £400,000
29th Jul 2009 15:56
Simon Murray, a director at mobile phone giant Vodafone, has more than tripled his stake in the firm with the purchase of £400,000 of shares. He bought 335,000 shares at just under 120p each and now has 492,500. Last week Vodafone said revenue rose 9.3% in the quarter to June, helped by positive e
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Autonomy, Mothercare, Petrofac
17th Jul 2009 06:47
Autonomy's numbers were undoubtedly impressive: pre-tax profits were up a record 64% on this time last year, earnings per share leapt 61%, and revenues jumped 55%. The chief executive Mike Lynch said the group would rather be cautious on the future and build expectations as the year goes on, but w
Read moreLondon close: Footsie continues winning week
16th Jul 2009 16:36
London made it four positive sessions in a row Thursday as some better banks and strength at Petrofac offset largely weaker miners and a big drop at Autonomy. There was little help from Wall Street though, which was trading flat when the City shut up shop. The FTSE 100 has made up about 260 points
Read moreLondon afternoon: Advance gains momentum
16th Jul 2009 15:08
Footsie looks set to make it four days of rises in a row, with a firmer start on Wall Street giving an additional boost in the afternoon session. Risers outnumber fallers by three to one but among the fallers is data search software firm Autonomy, despite registering its 25th consecutive quarter of
Read moreMothercare keeps kids (and shareholders) happy
16th Jul 2009 14:46
Parents are struggling to pay the bills and hang onto their jobs, but bumper sales at children's retailer Mothercare suggest the kids are blissfully unaware that Britain is toughing out the deepest recession in decades. Sales were up 9.4% in the first quarter and rose by 5.1% in the UK on a like-fo
Read moreLondon midday: Market rises but Autonomy disappoints
16th Jul 2009 11:53
London's blue-chip index has limped back into positive territory, despite weakness from the heavily weighted mining sector. Data search software firm Autonomy has registered its 25th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. Citigroup thought the results were "solid" and took "most of the bear a
Read moreLondon open: Winning streak ends
16th Jul 2009 08:12
London's top stocks have fallen back in early dealings on Thursday, ending a three day winning streak. Data search software firm Autonomy is leading the fallers despite reporting record revenues and profits for the second quarter. Adjusted profit before tax rose to $89.6m from $50.8m the year befor
Read moreLondon pre-open: Cautiously firmer start expected
16th Jul 2009 07:38
Having risen for three days in a row London looks set to extend its winning streak following the strong showing last night from US markets. City traders expect the FTSE 100 index to open around 7 points higher at 4,353. Data search software firm Autonomy reported record revenues and profits for the
Read moreSales boost Mothercare revenues
16th Jul 2009 07:15
Mothercare posted a healthy rise in sales over the first quarter as shoppers flocked to the baby products retailer's summer sale. Total sales climbed by 9.4%, with UK like-for-like sales up by 5.1%. The firm said it was helped by strong performances from Early Learning Centre franchises in Motherca
Read more