London open: Upbeat start for Footsie
30th Oct 2009 08:18
London's blue chips have opened higher thanks to upbeat economic and company news out this morning. Economic data released Friday shows that UK consumers are more confident now than at any time in the last 21 months. The GfK/NOP consumer confidence index improved to -13 in October, the best number
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early gains expected
30th Oct 2009 07:26
Footsie is expected to top up yesterday's gains in early dealings, following a big rise on Wall Street last night. Advertising giant WPP expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and said overall conditions are "less worse". In the third quarter reported revenues rose b
Read moreRolls-Royce wins $720m Virgin order
30th Oct 2009 07:07
Rolls-Royce has won a $720m order to supply Trent 700 engines for ten Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 aircraft. Deliveries for the planes, six of which have been ordered by Virgin Atlantic and four by aircraft leasing company AerCap, will begin in 2011. The contract includes long-term TotalCare service
Read moreBritish American finance boss sells shares
22nd Sep 2009 16:16
British American Tobacco finance boss Ben Stevens has pocketed nearly £200,000 after offloading some of his stake in the Lucky Strike maker. He sold 5,000 shares at 1,981p a share and 5,000 at 1,969p. He now has just more than 95,000. Stevens has been with British American since 1990. He joined th
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Rolls-Royce, G20, Lloyds
20th Sep 2009 10:52
Rolls-Royce is fighting a last-ditch battle to stop Barack Obama axing a military-engine contract that could see it share an estimated $50bn (£30.7bn) in sales over the next two decades. The aero-engine maker was last week lobbying in Washington to prevent funding being withdrawn for its engine for
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Kingfisher, Kier, Unite
18th Sep 2009 06:45
While Kingfisher's shares are not cheap and trade on a forecast 2010 price-to-earnings ratio of 16.3, they have actually fallen back recently from their peak over the past year. Given that trading in the second half is likely to be kinder in the UK and other markets, compared with last autumn, Kin
Read moreLondon close: Footsie nears 52-week high
16th Sep 2009 17:03
London raced ahead today, with the FTSE 100 crashing through the 5100 barrier near to a 12-month high, though it stopped short of racking up a triple-digit rise. Mining stocks were responsible for a large proportion of the index's rise as metals prices headed north following comments from Federal
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie consolidates gains
16th Sep 2009 14:30
The number of FTSE 100 constituents in the red today is in single figures as investors chase up share prices in the wake of relatively upbeat comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last night. Bernanke said the US recession 'is very likely over at this point,' prompting an advance by gl
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie breaks through 5100
16th Sep 2009 11:58
Leading shares rose steadily throughout the morning session pushing the FTSE 100 index through the 5100 barrier. Mining stocks are responsible for much of the rise as metals prices head north after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the US recession 'is very likely over at this point' in a s
Read moreRolls-Royce and EDF in nuclear build tie-up
16th Sep 2009 11:40
Rolls-Royce and French power company EDF Energy are collaborating on a project to help build four new nuclear power plants in the UK. The tie-up covers engineering and technical support during both the pre and post construction phases, according to a statement Wednesday. 'In addition, joint develo
Read moreLondon close: Stocks finish ahead
24th Aug 2009 16:23
London's leading shares have finished the day with comfortable gains as miners and banks stole the limelight. Mining giant Rio Tinto is reportedly in talks with the Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) over co-operation in bauxite and alumina production. The Australian Financial Review newspap
Read moreLondon afternoon: Centrica claims victory
24th Aug 2009 14:33
The Footsie regained some of its momentum over the lunch-time session, helped by expectations of a firm start on Wall Street. Centrica is wanted after it declared victory in its battle to take over Venture Production. The British Gas owner bought another 8.4% of Venture shares this morning, taking
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie backs off from 4900
24th Aug 2009 12:06
London's blue-chips are off the top but still predominantly in the blue. Strong miners and financials helped push the FTSE 100 index above 4900 shortly before 11:00am but this just encouraged profit-takers to make their move. Advertising firm WPP was the morning's best performer ahead of results o
Read moreLondon open: Miners on the rise
24th Aug 2009 08:21
Miners are leading the way in early dealings on Monday, with silver miner Fresnillo the best performer. Fresnillo is up almost 3%, with Eurasian Natural Resources, Randgold Resources and BHP Billiton also going well. Oil services group Petrofac lifted its dividend for the six months to June 30 as
Read moreMore Rolls-Royce RB211s for PetroChina
24th Aug 2009 07:43
Power systems developer Rolls-Royce has won two more contracts from PetroChina relating to the West to East Gas Pipeline Project (WEPP). The total value of the orders is in excess of $120m. Three RB211-powered gas compressor packages and a single motor-driven compressor have been ordered for Line
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