London close: Footsie nears 52-week high
16th Sep 2009 17:03
London raced ahead today, with the FTSE 100 crashing through the 5100 barrier near to a 12-month high, though it stopped short of racking up a triple-digit rise. Mining stocks were responsible for a large proportion of the index's rise as metals prices headed north following comments from Federal
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie consolidates gains
16th Sep 2009 14:30
The number of FTSE 100 constituents in the red today is in single figures as investors chase up share prices in the wake of relatively upbeat comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last night. Bernanke said the US recession 'is very likely over at this point,' prompting an advance by gl
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tullow Oil jumps on big new find
16th Sep 2009 13:24
Tullow Oil is comfortably the best performer as it joined a growing list of companies announcing huge oil finds in recent weeks. The Irish group is part of a consortium led by US group Andarko, which also includes Repsol and Woodside, which made the discovery on the Venus-B1 well offshore Sierra Le
Read moreBroker tips: Next, Cape, UK banks
16th Sep 2009 12:46
KBC Peel Hunt is contemplating upgrading its target price, earnings forecasts and rating for Next after the fashion retailer's impressive interim results on Wednesday morning. The broker expects consensus forecasts for full year pre-tax profit are likely to rise as a result of the half-year update,
Read moreBroker snap: Next results at top end
16th Sep 2009 12:44
KBC Peel Hunt is contemplating upgrading its target price, earnings forecasts and rating for Next after the fashion retailer's impressive interim results on Wednesday morning. The broker expects consensus forecasts for full year pre-tax profit are likely to rise as a result of the half-year update,
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie breaks through 5100
16th Sep 2009 11:58
Leading shares rose steadily throughout the morning session pushing the FTSE 100 index through the 5100 barrier. Mining stocks are responsible for much of the rise as metals prices head north after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the US recession 'is very likely over at this point' in a s
Read moreLondon open: Bright start for Footsie
16th Sep 2009 08:42
London's blue chips have made a strong start following on from Wall St's rise after US Fed chief Ben Bernanke called the US recession over. Miners are pushing on in sympathy with Bernanke's comments led by the majors Xstrata, Rio Tinto and Anglo American. Tullow Oil is the best performer after the
Read moreLondon pre-open: Higher start expected
16th Sep 2009 07:46
Shares are expected to open higher in early dealings, with the FTSE 100 edging further above the 5,000 point mark. Fashion retailer Next enjoyed better than expected progress in the first half, but kept its 'conservative' forecasts for second half like for like sales unchanged. Pre-tax profit for t
Read moreNext 'cautious' but pleased with progress
16th Sep 2009 07:02
Fashion retailer Next enjoyed better than expected progress in the first half, but kept its 'conservative' forecasts for second half like for like sales unchanged. Pre-tax profit for the six months to July rose 7% to £185.5m, in line with analysts' forecasts, on revenue up a touch to £1.51bn from £
Read moreWednesday preview: Next, UK unemployment
15th Sep 2009 17:46
Fashion retailer Next is tipped by broker Charles Stanley to announce pre-tax profit of £185m for the six months to 25 July 2009, up from £174m the year before. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) should edge higher to £200m from £198m, Charles Stanley predicts, on revenue of £1.52bn, up from £1
Read moreLondon afternoon: Weak retailers out of step
15th Sep 2009 14:18
Leading shares are consolidating the morning's gains, though retailers decline to join the party. Confusion and speculation surrounds the acquisition and fund raising intentions of general insurer RSA. Reports in today's FT suggest RSA indicated at a recent investors conference that it was looking
Read moreWeek Ahead: Kingfisher, Next, Retail Sales
11th Sep 2009 11:52
In a week when UK retail sales figures for August are due to be published it is appropriate that the major company results announcements are from two retailers. DIY retailer Kingfisher issues interim results on Thursday that are likely to see a recovery in profitability, albeit with some help from
Read moreLondon open: Dull start after Dow sell off
2nd Sep 2009 08:46
The gloomy start to September has continued with talk of another big bank fund raising encouraging sellers. Lloyds is the worst performer after the Guardian reported it has won backing from its investors to raise £10bn to allow it make a partial withdrawal from the government's asset protection sch
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Next, Brammer, Rolls-Royce
22nd Jul 2009 06:46
Increasing unemployment could be a real problem for the high street and Next. Chief executive Simon Wolfson disagrees, arguing that the rate of joblessness is not increasing and neither unemployment, nor concerns about swine flu, has had any affect on the group's sales season. Even so, hold for now
Read moreLondon close: Rally continues
21st Jul 2009 16:44
Footsie finished just shy of the 4,500 mark after another day of gains as the rally continues. Wm Morrison led the way after saying it is confident full year results will be ahead of its earlier expectations due to continuing customer growth and the successful implementation of its cost cutting pla
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