London midday: Miners bolster Footsie
23rd Oct 2009 12:20
UK share prices have shrugged off unexpectedly bad gross domestic product figures, with mining stocks leading the advance. The economy shrank by 0.4% in the third quarter, confounding analysts' expectations of a return to growth and suggesting that further stimulus measures may be on the cards. It
Read moreProvident Financial to maintain cautious stance
23rd Oct 2009 07:35
Sub-prime lender Provident Financial expects no material improvement in the rate of increase in unemployment until next Spring and will maintain a cautious approach to new lending will remain in place at least until then. The group, which specialises in door-to-door lending, said it deliberately sl
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Sage, Games Workshop, Arm
29th Jul 2009 06:43
Business software group Sage still looks solid enough, with good cash flows, and a cost-cutting drive to salvage margins. The group also pointed out that companies were not yet ditching contracts or trading down. The multiple of 11 times brokers' estimated earnings in 2009 looks about right, with a
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Microsoft, ITV, Rio Tinto
29th Jul 2009 06:16
Microsoft and Yahoo are on the brink of sealing an online alliance that could create a more formidable rival to Google in the search business. The deal had yet to be formally concluded late on Tuesday but the major terms had been agreed in principle and, according to one person close to the discuss
Read moreLondon close: Footsie ends winning streak
28th Jul 2009 16:33
Footsie looked set to continue its 11-day winning streak but soon started a steady downward slide that saw it close sharply in the red. Software giant Sage led Footsie higher in early dealings, staging a relief rally on results that were in line with market expectations though it warned that market
Read moreLondon afternoon: Slide accelerates
28th Jul 2009 14:19
With wall Street expected to open lower, London moved further into the red over the lunchtime session, leaving the Footsie a sizeable deficit to make up if it is to set a new record for consecutive days of rises. Software giant Sage is doing its bit for Footsie, staging a relief rally on results th
Read moreLondon midday: Miners threaten Footsie streak
28th Jul 2009 12:14
If the Footsie is to rise for a record breaking 12th day in succession it looks like it is going to do so without the assistance of the mining stocks which are in retreat today. Software giant Sage is doing its bit for Footsie, staging a relief rally on results that were in line with market expect
Read moreProvident Financial profits slightly up
28th Jul 2009 07:32
Sub-prime lender Provident Financial saw interim pre-tax profit rise 3.5% and said it expects to deliver continued growth for the year despite remaining cautious about new lending. Pre-tax profit for the six months to June rose 3.5% to £53.1m as revenue came in at £401.2m from £370.1m before. "Th
Read moreHelius Energy pair in selling mood
11th Jun 2009 17:17
Two directors at Helius Energy have sold £1¼m of shares in the installer of biomass-powered renewable electricity generation plants. Commercial director Chris Corner made £660,000 from the sale of 2.2m shares at 30p each, while technical director Adrian Bowles offloaded 2m shares at the same price.
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