FTSE 250 movers: FirstGroup plunges after cancelling dividend
20th May 2013 15:51
Transport firm FirstGroup led the fallers after cancelling its final dividend as it restructured its balance sheet and refinanced after a year in which operating profits halved. In results announced two days earlier than scheduled, the company announced a three-for-two rights issue as well as the re
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
20th May 2013 08:32
Alent: Credit Suisse initiates with a target price of 430p and an outperform rating. Amlin: Morgan Stanley ups target price from 428p to 469p, while maintaining an overweight rating. Anite: Espirito Santo cuts target price from 180p to 165p retaining a buy recommendation. Ashtead Group: UBS takes
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 hits new multiyear highs after US data
17th May 2013 16:29
The FTSE 100 rallied in afternoon trade after some better-than-expected economic data from the States, pushing the index to new five-and-a-half-year highs. A strong surge so far this month has now lifted London's equity benchmark to within touching distance of the 2007 high of 6,751. The Footsie ha
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Ocado leaps on Morrison deal
17th May 2013 15:30
Ocado Group shares leapt almost a third on Friday after Morrison Supermarkets confirmed the two are teaming up to launch its first shopping website in January next year. The partnership had been expected as the two have been in talks since Morrison announced it was moving online in its annual result
Read moreLondon midday: Markets rally as banks rise
17th May 2013 11:47
After a subdued start, the FTSE 100 pushed into positive territory ahead of the opening bell in New York with financials leading the rise after a broker upgrade. The Footsie breached the 6,700 mark yesterday for the first time since mid-2007 after 10 consecutive sessions in the blue, before falling
Read moreLondon open: Stocks pull back after strong gains
17th May 2013 08:32
The FTSE 100 registered moderate falls in early trading on Friday in aftermath of a series of disappointing economic figures, as markets pulled back after a strong showing over the last two weeks. London's benchmark index has gained around 4.0% since the start of May, rising to levels not seen sinc
Read moreMorrisons confirms deal with Ocado to launch online grocer
17th May 2013 07:07
Morrison Supermarkets has confirmed it is teaming up with Ocado Group to launch its first shopping website in January next year. The partnership had been expected as the two have been in talks since Morrison announced it was moving online in its annual results in March. Online grocer Ocado will p
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: ICAP rockets despite profits falling 20 per cent
14th May 2013 15:26
ICAP's annual pre-tax profit fell 20 per cent to 284m pounds compared to the previous year as the broker was hit by the weak global economy, low interest rates and regulatory reforms. Nevertheless, that was 'in-line' with consensus expectations given company guidance in its recent trading statement.
Read moreLondon close: Markets extend winning streak despite Fed concerns
13th May 2013 17:04
The FTSE 100 finished with slight gains on Monday, extending the recent winning streak into its eighth day, as markets shrugged off concerns over stimulus measures in the US and disappointing economic data in China. Following a strong rise last week, London's benchmark index reached a closing price
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Petropavlovsk rises on plans for cash savings
13th May 2013 15:54
Petropavlovsk plans to make cash savings and cost cuts in response to volatility in gold prices. The Russia-focused miner said it has approved adjustments to its business plan this year, including estimated cash savings of 160m dollars to strengthen its financial position against falling commodity p
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks snap winning streak as Chinese data disappoints
13th May 2013 11:51
Disappointing economic data from China on Monday put an end to a seven-day winning streak in London which lifted the FTSE 100 to a five-and-a-half-year high last week. London's benchmark index reached a closing price of 6,625 on Friday afternoon, a level not seen since late 2007, meaning that it ha
Read moreLondon open: Markets pause after strong run last week
13th May 2013 08:48
Weakness in the financial sector meant that the FTSE 100 was in the red on Monday morning, with investors pausing for breath after the index reached fresh multi-year highs last week. London's benchmark index reached a closing price of 6,625 on Friday afternoon, a level not seen since late 2007, mea
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Lloyds, ENRC, Ocado...
13th May 2013 06:44
Sir Win Bischoff, the Chairman of Lloyds since September 2009, is expected to announce his resignation ahead of Thursday's shareholder meeting as the bank readies for privatisation, reports The Guardian. The Financial Times says that May 17th is the deadline for a bidding consortium - made of a "tr
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Osborne, Ocado, M&S
12th May 2013 19:16
Energy giant Centrica is eyeing US gas assets jointly with Qatar as it gears up expansion across the Atlantic. The British Gas owner, which is likely to face questions on its growth plans at its Annual General Meeting in London on Monday, wants to build on last month's 650m pound joint deal for Cana
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Ocado leads risers after strong update
10th May 2013 15:26
Ocado rose to the top of the FTSE 250 Friday after the grocery website said it was well placed to take advantage of rapid growth in online sales. The company is currently in talks with Morrison to help the supermarket launch its first online shopping offering and said the deal would be complementary
Read more