FTSE 100 movers: Autonomy tops risers on record earnings
21st Apr 2011 13:23
Data search software firm Autonomy is topping the risers after it posted record earnings in the first quarter as it benefitted from the increasing popularity of cloud computing, a means of storing data remotely. Retail giant Next is wanted after UBS hiked up its forecasts on a better margin outloo
Read moreBroker tips: Man, Next, Dragon Oil
21st Apr 2011 12:24
RBS raises the target price for Man Group and moves to a "glass half-full" stance, saying that the hedge fund manager is now trading on more realistic earnings and valuation metrics following recent declines. "Man Group has disappointed the market on fund flows over the past two quarters and thus o
Read moreBroker snap: Better margin outlook at Next
21st Apr 2011 10:28
With a better margin outlook at fashion and homeware retailer Next, UBS hikes up its earnings forecasts and target price, keeping its 'buy' recommendation. The broker expects Next to report a solid first quarter, forecasting Retail like-for-like growth -5%, space contribution of 3% and Directory up
Read moreLondon close: M&S leads FTSE 100 higher
6th Apr 2011 16:47
London's leading share index finished with good gains Wednesday, with high street favourite Marks & Spencer the star of the show. Brokers have been queuing up today to praise the results from the bellwether of the UK retail sector after it delivered a forecast busting trading update. The company
Read moreLondon afternoon: M&S marches higher
6th Apr 2011 14:56
Brokers have been queuing up today to praise the results from Marks & Spencer after the bellwether of the UK retail sector delivered a forecast busting trading update. The high street stalwart saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, t
Read moreSector movers: M&S gives retailers a boost
6th Apr 2011 14:22
Retail giant Marks & Spencer is performing well after strong fourth quarter trading statement, providing a boost to the 'general retail' sector. Blue chips Next and Kingfisher are also higher. Peel Hunt upgraded M&S to a 'hold', from 'sell', after results from both general merchandise and food divi
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: M&S tops the risers
6th Apr 2011 13:12
Retailers are providing a boost on Wednesday, with Marks & Spencer performing best among the blue chips. The group saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, though the fall wasn't as severe as expected and overall sales growth was mainta
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 adds to gains
6th Apr 2011 12:19
Shares have built on their early gains with the retail sector still in the driving seat. Economic news is also influencing traders. Industrial production in the United Kingdom fell by 1.2% in February, according to data published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The figures may make Bank
Read moreLondon open: Retail boost for FTSE 100
6th Apr 2011 08:08
Stocks have edged higher in early dealings, with the retail sector in focus following quarterly sales figures from Marks & Spencer that were not as bad as expected. High street stalwart M&S saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, thoug
Read moreSector movers: Mothercare pressures retailers lower
31st Mar 2011 14:50
Retailers are sharply lower Thursday, with blue chips Next and Kingfisher falling into the red. On the FTSE 250, Mothercare, Dixons, Carpetright, Sports Direct and Dunelm are providing a drag. Baby clothes retailer Mothercare has seen its share price drop by almost a tenth, after margins were sque
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: TUI satisfied with trading
31st Mar 2011 13:52
Tour operator TUI Travel is higher after saying underlying trading has been "satisfactory" during the last six months. Interdealer broker ICAP enjoyed a "solid" fourth quarter thanks to greater market volatility. Further poor figures from retailers have knocked Next and Kingfisher. FTSE 100 - Ri
Read moreLondon close: Retailers and banks pull London to dull finish
30th Mar 2011 17:38
Footsie came off its highs for the day, as retailers and banks did their best to drag the market lower. Nevertheless, the blue chip index finished 16 higher at 5,948. Invensys was sharply lower after RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage of the engineer with an "underperform" rating. That was the
Read moreNext executives add to stakes
30th Mar 2011 16:42
All four of the Next executive directors have bought shares as part of the retailer's share matching plan. Chief executive Simon Wolfson has invested £335,000 by acquiring 16,439 shares at 2038.45p a share. Wolfson owns 1.64m shares, which is 0.91% of Next. Group product director Christo Angelid
Read moreFTSE100 movers: Miners push index higher
30th Mar 2011 12:59
Mining companies are pushing upwards on hopes for economic recovery leading to higher demand for metals. Vedanta Resources, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have all made gains. British Sky Broadcasting and Prudential have both gone ex-dividend. BSkyB has fallen by a similar amount to its 8.74p interi
Read moreLondon midday: Miners drive FTSE 100 higher
30th Mar 2011 12:35
Miners are driving the top share index closer to 6,000 points, though the retail sector is under pressure following a profit warning from Dixons Retail. Vedanta, BHP Billiton, Antofagasta and Kazakhmys are among the big names in the mining sector posting gains. Elsewhere in the FTSE 100, oil compa
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