London pre-open: Footsie to open down
1st Feb 2010 07:33
London's blue chips are expected to open slightly lower, with traders forecasting down 24 points in early dealings. Irish no-frills airline Ryanair's third quarter loss came in lower than expected and it upped its profit estimate for the full year as new routes meant yields fall by less than expect
Read morePremier Foods chairman quits
1st Feb 2010 07:17
The chairman of Premier Foods will quit after six years at the helm of the Hovis to Branston Pickle maker. Kappler, the former HMV chairman, plans to step down later in the year, once his successor has been identified. Premier Foods said it has commenced a succession process. 'After six hugely en
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: ITV, GSK, HSBC
31st Jan 2010 11:40
In the coming months, chairman Archie Norman, who was joined by former Royal Mail head Adam Crozier as chief executive, are expected to consider the possibility of a pay-per-view package for ITV 2, 3 and 4 among a range of options as ITV benefits from a slowly improving economic climate, says the Su
Read moreLondon close: Healthy gain for Footsie
14th Jan 2010 16:26
London blue chips rose near the close to finish the day handily ahead, despite a disappointing response to the latest retail updates. Primark and British Sugar owner Associated British Foods was one of the few risers. The group had a better than anticipated end to 2009 and expects a 'significant in
Read moreLondon afternoon: US data hits London
14th Jan 2010 14:28
Disappointing US retail sales for December had repercussions this side of the pond, prompting the morning's gains to be pared. US retail sales fell by 0.3% month-on-month in December, against expectations of a slight rise. Miners remain wanted with Xstrata, Rio Tinto, Kazakhmys and Antofagasta am
Read moreLondon midday: Miners lift Footsie
14th Jan 2010 12:08
Footsie is in the blue as strength in the mining sector offsets weakness among retailers following a stream of updates from the sector. Xstrata, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Kazakhmys, Eurasian Natural Resources and Antofagasta are all among the best performers. Rio Tintohailed another very strong qu
Read moreLondon open: Miners leading the way
14th Jan 2010 08:25
Miners are leading London's top stocks higher in early dealings on a busy day on the company news front. Xstrata, Vedanta Resources, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Kazakhmys, Eurasian Natural Resources and Antofagasta are all among the best performers. Rio Tinto hailed another very strong quarter for ir
Read moreLondon pre-open: Strong performance in store
14th Jan 2010 07:50
It's been a hectic start to the day with mostly favourable trading updates from the big hitters. Share prices look set to follow Wall Street's lead and open higher, with the FTSE 100 index expected to open up 47 points higher at 5,520. Mining giant Rio Tinto hailed 'another very strong quarter for
Read morePremier Foods gains market share
14th Jan 2010 07:02
Hovis to Branston Pickle maker Premier Foods said it expects to report encouraging branded sales growth of 6.4% and market share gains in its key branded categories. Total sales for 2009 are anticipated to be around £2,661m, up 2.2% on 2008, with branded sales for the year of £1,678m representing
Read moreUK close: FTSE 100 closes higher
16th Dec 2009 16:43
Footsie ended with gains as better than expected UK unemployment figures lifted sentiment. The number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell for the first time since February 2008 in November amid further signs the UK economy is beginning to recover from the economic downturn. The claimant
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks lack direction
16th Dec 2009 14:30
Leading shares are mixed, with the Footsie dipping a toe into negative territory despite better than expected UK unemployment figures announced this morning. The number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell for the first time since February 2008 in November amid further signs the UK economy
Read moreBroker tips: Logica, Punch Taverns, Premier Foods
16th Dec 2009 12:55
Recent weakness in the share price of IT contracting company Logica has provided an 'attractive entry point' for those yet to get on board, Morgan Stanley believes. The shares have fallen back by around 15% since mid-October, meaning they once again trade on 9 times Morgan Stanley's projected earni
Read moreBroker snap: Premier back in buying range
16th Dec 2009 09:20
Investors tucked in to Premier Foods after UBS said that after falling by a quarter over the last three months, the shares of the Mr. Kipling cakes and Sharwood sauces firm had come back into buying range. 'We acknowledge a number of arguments for staying on the sidelines; a still stretched balance
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: JPM note boosts Premier Foods
1st Dec 2009 13:29
Investors have an appetite for shares in Premier Foods after JP Morgan upgraded its rating on the stock. The company which makes Branston Pickle and cakes for Cadbury, faces a tough 2010, reckons the broker, but based on recent underperformance of the shares the US broker has upgraded its rating on
Read moreBroker tips: Cable & Wireless, Premier Foods, C&C
1st Dec 2009 13:13
ING has upgraded Cable & Wireless ahead of the telecom firm's demerger, which the broker reckons makes a bid for one or both parts of the company more likely. According to ING, '65% of recent UK demergers have resulted in subsequent acquisitions.' In justifying its upgrade of the stock to 'buy', IN
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