London close: Strong finish for FTSE 100
29th Jan 2010 16:38
Footsie gave up a recent weak spell to finish the week with good gains. Whitbread was the star performer. Following an investor day yesterday, Barclays Capital raised its price target on the Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner to 1,700p from 1,600p. The broker thinks Whitbread will benefit from new
Read moreLondon midday: RBS unit sued for $8bn
29th Jan 2010 12:10
After a mid-morning dip blue-chips are on the rise again, though it is not the sort of advance that is likely to change investors' view that January was a month to forget. For once, the miners are not moving in lock step with each other. Sector giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are firmer, while go
Read moreLondon open: Footsie tries to break losing streak
29th Jan 2010 08:48
London's blue chips have kicked on this morning despite the bad night for tech stocks on Wall Street. Huge numbers from Microsoft after the US market closed did restore some calm, while a rally by the miners has helped Footsie reverse its recent losing trend. Rio Tinto and Randgold lead the way. A
Read moreLondon pre-open: Small gains expected
29th Jan 2010 07:34
London's blue chips look set to open slightly higher after slumping near the close yesterday mirroring heavy falls in the US. Traders expect Footsie to open around 12 points higher on Friday morning. BP has appointed the former chief executive of mining giant BHP Billiton to the oil company's boar
Read moreMitie makes good start to second half
29th Jan 2010 07:14
Support services and asset management firm Mitie said it has performed well since 1 October and has had a good start to the second half of the year. Earnings continue to grow in line with management expectations and the group said it is confident that earnings for the full year will also meet fore
Read moreUltra boss sells
4th Dec 2009 16:26
Ultra Electronics chief executive Douglas Caster has generated £5.85m from the sale of just over two-fifths of his shareholding in the defence electronics supplier. He states in the announcement that the sale was for "family and tax planning reasons". Caster has also transferred his remaining 63
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Wm Morrison, VT Group, RM
24th Nov 2009 06:38
Wm Morrison shares have hit the skids in recent days as investors grapple with what to do about the curveball thrown at the group by the departure of chief executive Marc Bolland for M&S. Given the uncertainty, Morrison is a speculative buy, not least because the shares will be choppy as speculatio
Read moreLondon close: Footsie 100 points higher
23rd Nov 2009 16:37
Footsie closed more than 100 points higher on Monday thanks to a record price for gold, an early rally on Wall Street and strength across the financial sector. Gold has hit new highs, and that has led to sharp mark-ups in the price of gold miner Randgold and silver and gold miner Fresnillo. Elsewhe
Read moreLondon afternoon: Rally into three figures
23rd Nov 2009 14:49
A record price for gold, an early rally on Wall Street and strength across the financial sector has sent London to its best levels of the day. Gold has hit new highs, and that has led to sharp mark-ups in the price of gold miner Randgold and silver and gold miner Fresnillo. Elsewhere in the sector
Read moreLondon midday: Cadbury hits new high
23rd Nov 2009 12:06
London shares are racing ahead as the dollar's recent strength wanes, prompting renewed interest in mining shares. Gold has hit new highs, and that has led to sharp mark-ups in the price of gold miner Randgold and silver and gold miner Fresnillo. Elsewhere in the sector ENRC, Lonmin, Xstrata, Rio
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Heritage falls after terminating merger talks
23rd Nov 2009 11:17
Shares in Heritage Oil have taken a hit after the company terminated its merger discussions with Turkey's Genel and opted instead to sell some assets to Italian oil giant Eni. The UK exploration and production company has conditionally agreed to sell its interests in blocks 1 and 3A in Uganda for $
Read moreLondon open: Miners propel Footsie higher
23rd Nov 2009 08:51
Miners are driving Footsie higher again, with all of the top ten gainers metals groups. Xstrata, Rio Tinto and Randgold are the top risers, but the gains are sector-wide and strong. There's also good news at Lloyds Banking Group where the bank has the part-nationalised lender enjoyed "strong dema
Read moreLondon pre-open: Lloyds in focus as Footsie targets 5,300
23rd Nov 2009 07:38
It looks like being a bright start to the week, with the leading index predicted to rise 50 points at the start of play and Wall Street showing early indications it will jump later today. There's also good news at Lloyds Banking Group where the bank has the part-nationalised lender enjoyed "strong
Read moreMitie hopeful on outsourcing growth
23rd Nov 2009 07:21
Support services and asset management firm Mitie posted a rise in profits in the six months to September 30 and said efficiency drives in the private and public sector will create further opportunities for growth in the next year. Mitie, whose services include roofing, catering and painting, saw pr
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Compass, Moss Bros, Close Brothers
30th Sep 2009 06:45
Caterer Compass shares trade on a 2009 price earnings rating of 12.7 times, and offering a dividend yield of 3.7%, there are certainly better value stocks around, but Compass is a core holding; an investment to add to the portfolio and not worry about. Investors should take the chance to stock up. B
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