London afternoon: Footsie off the top
29th Jul 2010 14:28
The Footsie drifted lower over the lunch time session though still remained in positive territory, thanks in large part to enthusiastic responses to results from heavy hitters AstraZeneca, BT and Reed Elsevier. AstraZeneca is sharply higher. The group's potential blockbuster heart drug Brilinta has
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Gambling stocks in demand
29th Jul 2010 14:18
PartyGaming is the star performer after announcing a merger with Austrian rival bwin. The online gambling group said the merger would create the world's largest listed online gaming business. Elsewhere in gambling, casino and bingo hall operator Rank is in demand after a rise in profits. Connaugh
Read moreRank profits climb as gamblers splash out
29th Jul 2010 13:13
Shares in Rank moved ahead after the bingo hall and casino operator announced a slight rise in profits and reported strong customer numbers in both businesses. In the half year to June 30, adjusted pre-tax profits climbed to £25.1m from £24.7m over the same period the previous year, as revenues cli
Read moreBroker tips: Trinity Mirror, Rank, Morgan Crucible
29th Jul 2010 13:04
Interim results from Daily Mirror owner Trinity Mirror were ahead of expectations but the publisher faces 'aggressive competitor activity' in the second half of the year, Singer Capital Markets warns. Nevertheless, the broker predicts that the first half performance should see market consensus fore
Read moreBroker snap: Customers return to Mecca at Rank
29th Jul 2010 12:54
KBC Peel Hunt saluted Rank Group's solid interims and expects the stock to continue to outperform. "Grosvenor continues to be the star of the show, but Mecca has also shown its first growth in customer visits for a decade. With debt down to £133m, the group also has the balance sheet to increase in
Read moreUK SMALLCAP ROUNDUP: Antisoma To Return Cash If Programs Fail
29th Jul 2010 12:30
Dow Jones smallcap news is now on Twitter, allowing you to catch up on the news away from your desk. Go to http://twitter.com/DJ_UK_Smallcaps ANTISOMA PLC (ASM.LN), a biotechnology company, said it will return any cash it has left to shareholders if its two lead drug programs fail clinical tria
Read moreLondon midday: PartyGaming jumps on bwin merger
29th Jul 2010 11:57
Company results have given traders plenty to ponder and shares are broadly higher, but online betting group PartyGaming is the star performer after announcing a merger with Austrian rival bwin. PartyGaming said the merger would create the world's largest listed online gaming business. Elsewhere i
Read moreUPDATE: Rank Upbeat About 2H After 1H Profit Soars
29th Jul 2010 10:30
(Adds detail, CEO comment, analyst comment, share price.) By Hannah Benjamin Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES LONDON (Dow Jones)--Rank Group PLC (RNK.LN) Thursday said it is optimistic about its second half despite lingering consumer spending pressures, after it posted a surge in first-half pretax
Read moreUK SMALLCAP ROUNDUP: Connaught Secures GBP15M Overdraft
29th Jul 2010 09:30
Dow Jones smallcap news is now on Twitter, allowing you to catch up on the news away from your desk. Go to http://twitter.com/DJ_UK_Smallcaps CONNAUGHT PLC (CNT.LN) Thursday said it has agreed terms on a GBP15 million short-term overdraft with its lenders, as well as the deferral of interest an
Read moreUK MARKET TALK ROUNDUP: SHARES GAINING
29th Jul 2010 08:46
Stocks on the rise in the UK today. Compiled by Dow Jones Newswires Markets Desk, [email protected] Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9464 [email protected] 0746 GMT [Dow Jones] KBC Peel Hunt upgrades Rank Group (RNK.LN) to buy from hold, saying against a tough backdrop Rank has
Read moreMARKET TALK: KBC Peel Hunt Upgrades Rank Group To Buy
29th Jul 2010 08:46
0746 GMT [Dow Jones] KBC Peel Hunt upgrades Rank Group (RNK.LN) to buy from hold, saying against a tough backdrop Rank has delivered a solid 1H. Says Grosvenor continues to be the star of the show, but Mecca has also shown its first growth in customer visits for a decade. Adds with debt down to GBP1
Read moreMARKET TALK: Investec Lifts Rank Group 2010 EPS Estimate
29th Jul 2010 08:17
0717 GMT [Dow Jones] Rank Group's (RNK.LN) 1H results are in line with previous expectations on an operating basis and slightly ahead on interest and tax, says Investec. It lifts '10 EPS forecast by 2.2% to 9.2p, its fifth EPS upgrade in just over a year. In the medium-term, Investec sees continued
Read moreUK MARKET TALK ROUNDUP: BROKERS COMMENTS
29th Jul 2010 08:17
Broker comments in the UK today. Compiled by Dow Jones Newswires Markets Desk, [email protected] Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9464 [email protected] 0717 GMT [Dow Jones] Rank Group's (RNK.LN) 1H results are in line with previous expectations on an operating basis and slight
Read moreRank 1H Profit Surges As Customers Return; Strong Start To FY11
29th Jul 2010 07:33
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Rank Group PLC (RNK.LN) Thursday posted a surge in first-half pretax profit as it attracted more customers to its bingo and casino halls and said it has continued to grow comparable sales in each of its businesses so far in the new fiscal year. The Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor C
Read moreRank Group Sees GBP2.5M Cost Rise From UK VAT, NI Changes
23rd Jun 2010 08:00
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Rank Group PLC (RNK.LN), which operates bingo clubs and casinos in the U.K. with complementary on-line gaming and bookmaking services, said Wednesday that the increase in the standard rate of VAT and changes to the National Insurance regime announced in Tuesday's budget will resu
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