FTSE 250 movers: Strong smartphone demand lifts ARM
2nd Feb 2010 11:43
Shares in ARM Holdings are going well after market share gains and growing demand for smartphones kept the chip designer ahead of its rivals at the end of 2009, though sales and profits were still lower in the quarter. Engineering support services group Babcock is higher after saying it remains on
Read moreSector movers: Water stocks wanted
1st Feb 2010 15:52
Water companies are the stand-out sector. Northumbrian Water has spurted higher on reports a Canadian pension fund is poised to bid. Sector peers United Utilities, Pennon Water and Severn Trent rise in sympathy. With stocks broadly higher, defensively-oriented tobacco stocks miss out, with Imperi
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Northumbrian gushes ahead
1st Feb 2010 15:51
Northumbrian Water has spurted higher on reports a Canadian pension fund is poised to bid. Fellow water group Pennon rises in sympathy. On the downside, pub groups are out of favour, with Marston's and Greene King among the fallers. FTSE 250 - Risers Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) 288.80p +11.68%
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: SABMiller, Pennon, International Power
20th Jan 2010 06:39
SABMiller shares, off 41p at £17.80 yesterday, are trading on about 18 times full-year earnings. Not cheap, perhaps, but far from stretched, given stronger forecast earnings growth than any of its peers. Hold says the Times. Water utility Pennon's confirmation it will continue with its progressive
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Bunzl, Asos, Pennon
19th Jan 2010 06:42
Boring it may be, but Bunzl ? the distributor of carrier bags, plastic cutlery, protective masks and thousands of other disposable items for grocers, cleaners and caterers ? is one of the stock market's best barometers. Left to its own devices, its sales can be relied upon to grow just ahead of GDP,
Read moreLondon close: Good gains for FTSE 100
18th Jan 2010 16:33
Footsie finished the day in the blue despite a sharp reversal in the fortunes of International Power, which earlier had soared on speculation of a takeover by French power giant GDF Suez. Shares in the energy company slid from their earlier highs after it admitted it held talks with GDF Suez about
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks keep climbing
18th Jan 2010 14:49
Ongoing bid speculation, stronger retailers and buoyant miners have pushed London above 5,500. International Power is top of the pile on press reports that French power giant GDF Suez has made a takeover approach to the group, but there has been no statement from either side over the truth of the s
Read moreLondon midday: Good morning for blue chips
18th Jan 2010 12:20
London's leading share index has enjoyed a good morning on hopes of a bid for International Power and a higher offer for Cadbury. IP is up nearly 5% after press reports that French power giant GDF Suez has made a takeover approach to the group, but there has been no statement from either side over
Read moreLondon open: M&A rumours in focus
18th Jan 2010 08:19
London's blue chips have made a good start to the new week, with International Power leading the way on takeover rumours. International Power is up more than 5% after press reports that French power giant GDF Suez has made a takeover approach to the group. Cadbury is also among this morning's rise
Read morePennon agrees to lower water bills
18th Jan 2010 07:40
Water company Pennon has accepted Ofwat's final determination on how much it can charge customers over the next five years. The South West Water owner has decided not to refer Ofwat's price determination for 2010-2015 to the Competition Commission and also promised real dividend growth over the fiv
Read moreBroker tips: HMV, water firms, insurers
27th Nov 2009 11:39
HMV has been benefiting from the demise of competitors and is likely to continue doing so, says the broker Charles Stanley as it keeps its 'buy' rating on the music, film and video game retailer. Charles Stanley is not signed up to the scepticism about HMV's long term prospects expressed by other o
Read moreBroker snap: Evolution sees greater risk for water firms
27th Nov 2009 10:55
Evolution Securities has downgraded its recommendation on Pennon and Northumbrian from 'buy' to 'add' as it thinks the water firms face greater regulatory risks despite the relaxation of Ofwat's determination on how much they can charge customers over the next five years. Evolution thinks the firms
Read moreLondon Close: Dubai worries knock market
26th Nov 2009 17:25
The London market wasn't helped by a technical glitch at the London Stock Exchange but it was never going to be a good day due to worries about the debt problems of Dubai. The fact that there was no trading for more than three hours just made investors even more nervous. The FTSE 100 fell by more
Read moreLondon afternoon: Trading resumes .. so does the decline
26th Nov 2009 14:18
Trading resumed on the London Stock Exchange at 2:00pm after the exchange's technical glitch, but prices are not looking any healthier than they were before the trading interruption. Banks are under the cosh on concerns over Dubai's debt situation. The government owned Dubai World, which has debts
Read moreLondon midday: Trading suspended on LSE
26th Nov 2009 12:07
Banks shares are leading the market lower today as investors fret about the debt situation in Dubai. The government owned Dubai World, which has debts of $59bn, has asked creditors if it can delay debt repayments due next month until May of next year. HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Lloyds
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