Premier Foods takes FX hit
5th Aug 2009 07:42
Hovis to Branston Pickle maker Premier Foods has reported a first half loss, but remains on course to match full year forecasts. The group posted a loss of £30m before tax from continuing operations for the six months to 27 June 2009 compared with a profit of £2m in 2008. Turnover rose 3.5% to £1.2
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Informa, Serco, Premier Foods
30th Jun 2009 06:42
FTSE 250-listed Informa has a solid business, whose publications tend to be in niche, subscription-based titles that do not suffer as badly as its more commercial counterparts in a downturn. Its Academic and Professional & Commercial divisions are still growing, and management has also kept a tigh
Read moreLondon close: Late gains lift Footsie
29th Jun 2009 16:50
After a rather sluggish start to the day, Footsie ended with chunky gains, helped by buoyancy on Wall Street. Lloyds Banking topped the list of risers after Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the shares from "neutral" to "buy" and added them to its "conviction buy" list. Goldman Sachs has also lif
Read moreLondon afternoon: Financials spearhead the advance
29th Jun 2009 14:21
Banks and insurers lead the way as London continues its steady advance. Lloyds Banking tops the list of risers after Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the shares from "neutral" to "buy" and added them to its "Conviction Buy" list. Goldman Sachs has also lifted its target price from 61p to 107p, af
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds leads banks higher
29th Jun 2009 11:51
Risers outnumber fallers by around three to one among Footsie constituents, as the index pushes ahead despite weakness among miners. Lloyds Banking tops the list of risers after Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the shares from "neutral" to "buy" and added them to its "Conviction Buy" list. Goldm
Read moreSector movers: Vodafone climbs amid talk of bid for T-Mobile
29th Jun 2009 09:55
Vodafone is lifting the mobile telecommunications sector higher amid talk it is mulling a bid for T-Mobile UK, the British wireless unit of Deutsche Telekom, according to press reports. The Financial Times is quoting people familiar with the situation as saying that the company is considering makin
Read moreLondon open: Footsie makes steady start
29th Jun 2009 08:32
London's blue chips have made a steady start with banks pushing on and insurers making gains. Lloyds and Barclays are both ahead with the new government paper on regulation of the sector likely soon and expected to see a defeat for the ideas of Bank of England governor Mervyn King. Outsource gian
Read moreLondon pre-open: Shares to drop
29th Jun 2009 07:38
London's blue chips are expected to open slightly lower with traders forecasting Footsie to drop around 15 points early on. Hovis to Branston Pickle maker Premier Foods's trading this year has continued on track, with sales of bread especially described as excellent. The heavily indebted group, wh
Read moreHovis keeps Premier steady
29th Jun 2009 07:06
Hovis to Branston Pickle maker Premier Foods's trading this year has continued on track, with sales of bread especially described as excellent. The heavily indebted group, which raised £379m through a cash call in March, said sales in May and June were in line with the trends in the first four mont
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Hochschild hit by lower metals prices
12th Jun 2009 12:26
Lower precious metal prices have sent shares in Hochschild Mining, which produces silver and gold. Food stocks are wanted though, with Hovis-maker Premier Foods and butter and cheese firm Dairy Crest among the top-risers. Premier yesterday announced plans to raise £404m, or £379m net, from a placin
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
12th May 2009 16:28
There was no shortage of company news to give Footsie direction but the index ended the day little changed as downbeat banks offset well-received updates. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclayseased after Credit Suisse suggested the margins of UK banks will come under pressure.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Back in the blue
12th May 2009 14:11
In keeping with the day's topsy-turvy theme, the Footsie is back in positive territory, despite the weakness of banks and miners. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays are all easier after Credit Suisse suggested the margins of UK banks will come under pressure. In the mining
Read moreLondon midday: Banks lower on margin worries
12th May 2009 12:13
The market had an indecisive morning, with yesterday's decline after four successive days of gains giving investors pause for thought. Banking is the weakest sector after a cautious review of UK banks by Credit Suisse. The Swiss bank has cut its ratings on Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland, with
Read moreMixed start for Premier Foods
12th May 2009 07:31
Hovis to Bird's Custard group Premier Foods pushed sales up by 3% in the first four months of 2009 helped by price rises last year. Profit expectations for this year are unchanged. The heavily indebted group, which raised £379m through a cash call in March, added that excluding sales of bulk flour,
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