London afternoon: Brokers boost banks
15th Apr 2010 14:25
Footsie is keeping its head above 5800, climbing a bit further over the lunch time session despite expectations of a soft start on Wall Street. After better than expected results from US investment bank JP Morgan yesterday investors are keen on UK banks such as Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and
Read moreLondon midday: Flat Footsie
15th Apr 2010 11:50
Leading shares remain mixed , with laggards among FTSE 100 constituents now marginally outnumbering leaders. Experian is the worst performing blue-chip. The credit checking firm saw revenues from continuing operations rise for the six months to March but revenues at its UK operations fell in the pe
Read moreLondon open: Modest gains
15th Apr 2010 08:43
London's benchmark index has kicked off with modest gains with banks proving popular early on. Investors are keen on the likes of Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC Holdings But they seem unsure about Rio Tinto, which released a first quarter update. The group said its operation continued
Read morePZ Cussons says FY scrubbing up well
15th Apr 2010 07:33
Soap maker PZ Cussons said its full year trading outlook remains positive and is in line with company expectations despite challenging trading conditions in some territories and rising input costs. The maker of Carex hand soap said trading in Europe and Asia has been strong. "In the UK, revenue a
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Severn Trent, De La Rue, Gulfsands
27th Jan 2010 06:56
Severn Trent's chief executive, Tony Wray, has now confirmed the water utility has no plans for a rights issue, although it is cutting the dividend by 10%. The Independent generally is bearish about the water sector, but Severn Trent, which trades at about 1.5 times next year's earnings and yield mo
Read moreLondon close: Footsie snaps 4-day losing streak
26th Jan 2010 16:25
Top stocks staged a recovery late afternoon as Wall Street reacted well to US consumer confidence at a 16-month high. Standard Chartered was a bright spot after Nomura said the recent share price fall represents a buying opportunity. The Japanese broker upgraded the Far East focused bank to 'buy'
Read moreLondon afternoon: Losses pared
26th Jan 2010 14:19
Leading shares cut back their losses over the lunch time session but resource stocks remain under the cosh on fears that the Chinese authorities will step up its campaign to cool down its overheating economy and lift interest rates. Fresnillo, Xstrata and Kazakhmys lead the mining sector lower, wh
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: De La Rue update fails to impress
26th Jan 2010 14:18
Banknote group De La Rue may have a license to print money, but the shares are lower even though it posted strong trading in recent months. The cash processing solutions division has continued to experience difficult trading conditions, it said. Bookies William Hill and Ladbrokes are benefitting f
Read moreLondon midday: GDP figures no comfort
26th Jan 2010 12:03
News that the UK economy limped out of recession in the fourth quarter has failed to cheer equities, which remain more concerned about China and the possibility its government will slam the economic brakes on. The UK economy grew just 0.1% in the fourth quarter, far less than expected. Economists h
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips struggle
26th Jan 2010 08:49
Footsie has fallen again in early dealing with miners again under pressure on worries about overheating in China and the possibility its government will slam the economic brakes on. The big mining names are all lower this morning. Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Lonmin are the worst affected, but fal
Read moreLondon pre-open: More losses expected
26th Jan 2010 07:35
Footsie is expected to continue the decline that began last week in early dealings. The decline in consumption by non-residential customers tailed off in the fourth quarter, water company Severn Trent said. The company, which said it has been trading in line with expectations since 1 October, estim
Read morePZ Cussons profits jump 28%
26th Jan 2010 07:05
Soap manufacturer PZ Cussons managed to post a sharp rise in profits despite flat revenues in the year to November 30. Pre-tax profits climbed by 28% to £44.7m from £34.8m the previous year as revenues edged up to £369.9m from £367.2m. Performance was particularly strong in Europe, where revenues
Read moreTuesday preview: Sage, PZ Cussons, UK GDP
25th Jan 2010 13:36
The share price of Newcastle-based accountancy software firm Sage is floating around its 52-week high ahead of tomorrow’s first quarter interim management statement. The company saw market conditions stabilise in the second half of its previous financial year and broker Panmure Gordon, a long time
Read moreJardine Lloyd brings in old Aviva boss
18th Dec 2009 07:50
Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has appointed former Norwich Union and Aviva CEO Richard Harvey as a non executive director at the insurance broker with immediate effect. Harvey, who led Norwich Union from 1998 then Aviva between 2001 and 2007, is a non exec and chairman elect at Imperial Leather soap
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Upbeat DS Smith leads the pack
10th Dec 2009 10:43
Packaging and office products wholesaler DS Smith leads the risers after saying it expects to exceed full-year expectations after a 'relatively good first half'. Electronic components distributor Premier Farnell reported a 37% fall in third quarter profits but the shares are higher after it said th
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