FTSE 100 movers: Mining sector boosted by Citi note
27th Jan 2011 13:20
Mining shares are rising today with Fresnillo the biggest mover after Citigroup published a positive note on the sector. Randgold Resources was upgraded from neutral to overweight by HSBC. Satellite broadcaster BSkyB reported a strong rise in profits in the six months to December 2010. Pre-tax p
Read moreLondon midday: Shares still seeking direction
27th Jan 2011 12:07
Shares remain uncertain following a raft of company statements this morning. Updates have been broadly well received, but ratings agency Standard & Poors' downgrade of Japan's credit rating weighing on sentiment. S&P now rates the far eastern nation at AA-, citing worries over its large debt burden
Read moreNon-exec buys after Smiths rejects approach for division
20th Jan 2011 16:42
Bruno Angelici, a non-executive director of Smiths Group, has bought his first shares in the company less than a week after it was revealed that the technology supplier had rejected an approach for its medical division. Angelici paid 1392p a share for the 2,000 shares he acquired - a total outlay
Read moreBroker tips: Next, Jardine Lloyd, Domino's
5th Jan 2011 12:53
Financial services group Matrix highlights the weak sales figures at Next as atypical of the sector and places the target price for the high street fashion chain under review. For the five months to 24 December, the group blamed its poor sales on bad weather and poor availability of best selling li
Read moreBroker snap: Bleak midwinter sales at Next
5th Jan 2011 11:48
Financial services group Matrix highlights the weak sales figures at Next as atypical of the sector and places the target price for the high street fashion chain under review. For the five months to 24 December, the group blamed its poor sales on bad weather and poor availability of best selling li
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips open lower
5th Jan 2011 08:56
London has opened weaker, continuing the softer trend seen towards the end of yesterday's session with retailers and food groups under pressure. The snow lost Next an estimated £22m of full price sales in the run-up to Christmas - about 2.2% of the season's total sales - although the high street fa
Read moreLondon pre-open: Retailers in focus
5th Jan 2011 07:37
London looks set to open weaker, continuing the softer trend seen towards the end of yesterday's session. City traders expect the FTSE 100 index will open down by about 6 points from last night's close. Retailers are in focus in the early going. The snow lost Next an estimated £22m of full price sa
Read moreNext counts cost of snow
5th Jan 2011 07:00
The snow lost Next an estimated £22m of full price sales in the run-up to Christmas - about 2.2% of the season's total sales - although the high street fashion chain remains on target to meet full-year profit forecasts. Like for like sales between 1 August and 24 December tumbled 6.1%, worse than a
Read moreWednesday preview: Next in line to update on Christmas
4th Jan 2011 18:27
Blacks Leisure was the first retailer to update on Christmas trading, posting a strong rise in like-for-like sales in its outdoor stores; a trading statement from fashion group Next will give another indication of the health of the UK High Street. Aside from the rise in VAT to 20% from 17.5% that h
Read moreWeek Ahead: Next, Clinton Cards, Recruiters
4th Jan 2011 08:45
With the January sales in full swing, attention in the first week of the new year will be on retailers with fashion group Next and greetings cards seller Clinton Cards due to update the market. Recruiters Hays and Robert Walters are also due to report. Tuesday UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS M4 Money
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Retailers recover
23rd Dec 2010 12:36
Retailers are recovering on hopes that the last two days trading before Christmas could be a bumper time in the high street. Kingfisher and Next have recovered a portion of their losses earlier in the weak. Chip designer ARM has been hit by profit taking. Miners are also slipping back with Xstrat
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 shrugs off weather woes
20th Dec 2010 16:44
Shares held onto gains to close in positive territory despite the bad weather hitting travel and retail stocks. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers fell. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stay buoyant despite weather hit
20th Dec 2010 15:25
Footsie is still hovering around 5,900 points following a mixed start on Wall Street. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers have trimmed losses. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks & Spencer,
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Retailers fall on weather worries
20th Dec 2010 12:18
Retailers are in decline over worries that shoppers may not be able to reach the stores to spend money because of the snow. Next is the largest faller with Marks & Spencer also down on the day. British Airways has been hit by cancelled flights and the closure of airports. Oil services provider
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 5,900
20th Dec 2010 12:00
Things turned around dramatically in the hour before lunch as the session came alive after a rather dull start, nudging a 2½-year high by midday. Defensive issues are still going well. National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy and British Gas owner Centrica are expected to benefit from the cold sn
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