London open: Investors raise a glass to RBS's pub sale
2nd Dec 2011 08:51
The equity bandwagon is back on the road after pulling over into a lay-by for repairs yesterday, after French President Nicolas Sarkozy said last night it is necessary 'to put an end to all doubts' over the European Union's commitment to sorting out the region's debt crisis. In what may be a sneak
Read moreSDL in proposed acquisition of Alterian
2nd Dec 2011 08:11
Document and patent translation specialist SDL has reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of Alterian, the Bristol based firm which makes content creation software. The Alterian independent directors have said they consider the terms of the acquisition to be fair and r
Read moreSDL ups offer for Alterian, talks begin
10th Nov 2011 13:46
Computer translation company SDL has upped its indicative offer for Alterian, the Bristol based firm which makes content creation software. The new offer is for 110p per share, up from the original 80p offer made in October. Alterian now says it is "prepared to engage" with SDL although emphasises
Read moreQuarterly progress at SDL
29th Sep 2011 10:30
Document and patent translation specialist SDL said third quarter revenue and operating profit was in line with management expectations, as it makes solid progress towards the operational and strategic priorities set for the year. On a cautionary note SDL noted, "We continue to view the economic o
Read moreSDL confident of H2 growth
2nd Aug 2011 07:20
Document and patent translation specialist SDL posted forecast busting half year earnings and said despite the variable economic outlook it is confident of delivering further growth in the second half. Pre-tax profit rose to £15.8m for the six months ended 30 June 2011 from £12.9m the year before.
Read moreLondon close: Company updates lift FTSE 100
26th Apr 2011 16:33
Shares were boosted by well-received earnings news at home and overseas. Shares sprang into life after a sluggish start, helped by well-received updates from US giants such as carmaker Ford and conglomerate 3M. There were also a few big risers here in the FTSE 250. Shares in Heritage Oil jumped af
Read moreLondon midday: Calm before the storm
26th Apr 2011 12:07
Shares are little changed on a quiet beginning to a week that will spark into life tomorrow with a stream of updates and preliminary first quarter GDP figures. There are some interesting movers today though. Shares in Heritage Oil jumped after the oil explorer announced that it is buying back $100
Read moreLondon open: Miners under pressure
26th Apr 2011 08:29
Trading has got off to a quiet start after the Easter break, though the mining sector is suffering from falling metals prices. However, it is news of a strike at its main mine that is hurting Hochschild Mining. The Argentine Mining Labour Association initiated the action at the San Jose silver and
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start expected
26th Apr 2011 07:49
London is expected to open moderately lower as traders ease back into action after the Easter break. City sources predict the Footsie will open around 10 points down from Thursday's close. Mining titan Rio Tinto has come to an agreement with the government of Guinea, paving the way for work to begi
Read moreDemand conditions remain robust at SDL
26th Apr 2011 07:22
Translation software firm SDL said its performance for the first quarter of 2011 was in line with management expectations for both revenue and operating profit. The group, which provides patent translation software services for Ford, Canon and Dell, said demand conditions overall remain strong. "W
Read moreTechMARK movers: AstraZeneca drops SkyePharma product
7th Mar 2011 12:04
Shares in drug discovery company SkyePharma have slumped following news that AstraZeneca has decided to stop production of one of its drugs using SkyePharma's drug delivery technology. There were manufacturing problems because of technical aspects of the PULMICORT (budesonide) 100 and 200 µg/dose
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Smiths, Alterian, BP...
18th Jan 2011 06:40
Philip Bowman's decision to turn down a £2.4 bn cash offer for the medical division of Smiths Group, where he is chief executive, is understandable for any number of reasons. The sale of medical services, which enjoys margins in excess of 20% and provides Smiths with about a third of its earnings,
Read moreLondon close: Shares close lower despite M&A buzz
17th Jan 2011 16:39
London's leading share index is back below the 6,000 point mark after a sluggish day which saw downbeat miners offsetting mergers and acquisitions excitement. Miners such as Kazakhmys and Fresnillo were out of favour amid lower metals prices after China increased reserve requirements for banks in a
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie dips
17th Jan 2011 14:40
Leading shares lost ground over the lunchtime session, taking the Footsie back below the 6,000 level, with financials and miners featuring prominently among the losers. Miners such as Kazakhmys and Fresnillo are out of favour amid lower metals prices after China increased reserve requirements for b
Read moreLondon midday: Shares still seeking direction
17th Jan 2011 12:11
The top share index remains little changed despite the M&A excitement. US markets are closed today, so shares will have to look elsewhere for inspiration if they are to burst into life. BP is in demand after the oil giant announced a controversial landmark deal with Rosneft, the Russian state oil c
Read more