Sector movers: M&S heaps more woe on retail
6th Jan 2010 11:45
The retail sector is lower for the second day in a row following Marks & Spencer's Christmas trading update. Sales rose 2.6% in the 13 weeks to 26 December and by 2.3% in the UK, but echoing comments from fellow clothes retailer Next yesterday, M&S chairman Stuart Rose said: 'We expect the trading
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Cadbury, Next, Premier Oil
6th Jan 2010 06:32
Cadbury shares might rise further in what could be a long, drawn-out takeover battle but the risks appear to be increasingly on the downside, the Telegraph suggests. Irene Rosenfeld, Kraft chief executive, is out to play a slow game and would expect a higher offer to emerge. The million-dollar ques
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: RBS still climbing
5th Jan 2010 13:11
RBS adds to the strong gains it posted yesterday, and is the best performer in the FTSE 100. Barclays is another riser, boosted by comments from Deutsche Bank, which says the bank offers both growth and recovery potential. Also among today's big gainers is the hedge fund manager Man Group, which
Read moreSector movers: Next caution holds back retailers
5th Jan 2010 12:37
Retailers are on the back foot after Next kicked off the stream of Christmas trading updates by increasing full-year profit forecasts but saying it was cautious on prospects for 2010. Next's fellow clothing retailer Marks & Spencer, which is due to update tomorrow, is another faller. Other notable
Read moreLondon open: Retailers lead Footsie lower
5th Jan 2010 08:15
London's top stocks have opened lower as retailers fall back at the beginning of the Christmas sales reporting season. High street retailer Next is lower even though it increased full-year profit forecasts again in response to better than expected sales in the run up to Christmas. Sales for the 2
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start in store
5th Jan 2010 07:39
London is expected to open little changed Tuesday as investors pause for breath following yesterday's rally to a 16-month high. High street retailer Next could get a cheer after it increased full-year profit forecasts again in response to better than expected sales in the run up to Christmas. Sal
Read moreNext celebrates Christmas sales surge
5th Jan 2010 07:04
High street retailer Next has increased full-year profit forecasts again after enjoying better than expected sales in the run up to Christmas. Sales for the 22 weeks from 26 July to Christmas Eve jumped 4.6% at Next Retail and by 3.2% on a like for like basis, including direct sales, and by 1.6% ex
Read moreWeek ahead: Marks & Spencer, Next, Hays
31st Dec 2009 12:10
There will be some notable announcements to look out for next weeks as traders return to their desks following the Christmas and New Year's break. On Wednesday, retailers Marks and Spencer and Next will release trading updates, which should also include figures for the holiday period. Millions of
Read moreBroker tips: AMEC, Berkeley, HMV
7th Dec 2009 13:06
Contractor Amec unveiled plans last week to more than double its earnings to over 100p per share by 2015, a feat which UBS thinks is well within reach. 'The new target is inclusive of acquisitions and organic growth, and on realistic assumptions on acquisitions we believe the 100p target is likely
Read moreBroker snap: Pessimistic expectations for HMV
7th Dec 2009 12:14
Morgan Stanley has maintained its 'underweight' recommendation on video games, music and DVD retailer HMV following its consumer survey, which suggests video games demand will remain lacklustre. The broker said its survey indicated that more people plan to conduct their video game shopping at supe
Read moreLondon close: Footsie gleams on commodity strength
4th Nov 2009 16:18
A rush into miners, triple-digit rally on Wall Street and welcome numbers from two of Britain's largest retailers catapulted London higher Wednesday. Fresnillo took the blue chip risers' crown, up sharply as renewed dollar weakness benefited commodity prices. Kazakhmys, Xstrata and Rio Tinto also
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains extended
4th Nov 2009 14:19
Expectations of a firmer start on Wall Street encouraged UK blue-chip prices to kick on over the lunch-time session, with miners and stores still leading the way, In the head to head battle between M&S and Next, shares in the latter are performing slightly better after the fashion chain upped its g
Read moreSector movers: Retail shares fly off the shelves
4th Nov 2009 14:07
Investors have dug deep and picked up large lines of stock in leading retailers after numbers from both Marks & Spencer and Next impressed. Fashion chain Next has raised its guidance for second half sales up to Christmas Eve following better than expected sales in the third quarter. That, and a 2.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Retail boost from M&S and Next
4th Nov 2009 12:08
High street giants Marks & Spencer and Next moved to the top of the FTSE 100 leaders list on better than expected trading updates. M&S is to end its policy of only selling its own branded food products and will start introduce 400 top household brands in its food halls, but it was better than expec
Read moreLondon midday: London enjoys retail therapy
4th Nov 2009 12:05
Retail news dominated the morning trading session with well received results from two major retailers plus a cautiously upbeat trading update from shopping centre owner Liberty. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of expectations, with underlying profits risi
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