FTSE 100 movers: Ex-dividends dominate
9th Feb 2011 13:07
Footsie is down today but the fallers are dominated by shares going ex-dividend. They include International Power, GlaxoSmithkline, Royal Dutch Shell and Sage. International Power is paying a 92p a share special dividend as part of the merger with GDF Suez. The share price has fallen less than t
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Imperial Tobacco, Sage, ICAP...
3rd Feb 2011 06:44
There has been a shortage of good news for investors in Imperial Tobacco and other cigarette makers. Shares in the sector were hit recently by claims that the habit could die out within 40 years. There is little sign of that in Imperial's latest figures. Imperial plans to raise the ratio of earning
Read moreLondon pre-open: Buyers to dominate early action
26th Jan 2011 07:34
A late recovery on Wall Street last night and mixed performance in Asia looks like propelling London in the right direction this morning. A stronger than expected US consumer confidence report and some decent company results helped the Dow Jones erase most of its earlier losses, ending just 3 point
Read moreSage maintains momentum in first quarter
26th Jan 2011 07:03
Accountancy software group Sage's first quarter was in line with expectations flagged at last month's full-year numbers, keeping up the momentum in revenue growth seen in the second half. In a rather brief statement, the company said results for each of its regions matched forecasts, "with the impr
Read moreWednesday preview: Sage, WH Smith, BoE minutes
25th Jan 2011 08:34
Accountancy software group Sage issues its first quarter interim management statement on Wednesday. Panmure Gordon thinks it will be a "steady as she goes" announcement. "The company should make a comment on its financial position, (i.e. the pay down of net debt) and CEO Guy Berruyer is likely to
Read moreWeek Ahead: Astra, Sage, Britvic, US rate decision
21st Jan 2011 09:15
The spate of trading updates from retailers has almost dried up, leaving the field open to heavyweights from other sectors. Two of the big names from the utilities sector, United Utilities and Severn Trent, are due to report while from the oil sector Tullow and Cairn report late in the week. Accoun
Read moreBroker tips: Sage, William Hill, Land Securities
19th Jan 2011 11:51
Financial services firm Matrix says that property giant Land Securities looks the best value of the three large cap London/retail plays at present and places the stock in its 'add' category. The property group highlighted steady progress with lettings in its interim management statement on Wednesda
Read moreBroker snap: Sage is 'back in the game'
19th Jan 2011 10:26
Sage is "back in the game," according to Panmure Gordon, after Tuesday's launch of a new product set out its stall as a modern growth-orientated software business. Sage launched Sage One which offers three different services to small- to medium-sized enterprises and their accountants: cashbook (man
Read moreSector movers: Berkeley profit rise boosts housebuilders
3rd Dec 2010 16:24
Berkeley Group's numbers have given the home construction sector a lift. The London and south-east England focused housebuilder, has had a "strong" first half and thinks it can beat original expectations for the full-year. Profit before tax for the six months ended 31 October grew 18.5% to £61.6m
Read moreLondon close: Market jumps 125 points
2nd Dec 2010 16:33
Blue chips staged an impressive late rally to finish more than 100 points higher for the second day running. There was no big bond repurchase programme today from the European Central Bank, but a decision to extend the current one for three months was enough to get buyers in a lather again. "We ex
Read moreTechMARK movers: C&W's Bahamas deal
2nd Dec 2010 14:49
Cable & Wireless Communications is acquiring a 51% stake in mobile phone network operator Bahamas Telecommunications Company subject to due diligence and final contract terms. CWC shares, which have been heading lower for more than two months, have been pushed higher by the news. The deal should c
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: TUI tops the list as profit grows
2nd Dec 2010 14:37
TUI Travel leads the risers Thursday after it increased underlying pre-tax profit by 4% to £337m during the year to September. Profit growth was driven by integration synergies, the recovery of scheduled flying losses in Germany and the strategic venture in Canada. Sage Group, the blue chip accoun
Read moreBroker tips: Sage, Alliance Pharma, JJB Sports
2nd Dec 2010 12:47
Sage's subscription revenue growth has led Nomura to expect solid execution next year from the blue chip accountancy software firm. Sage reported "robust subscription revenues growing at 3%" in the second half versus the broker's expectation of 1%. Nomura notes that a growth of around 4% is achieva
Read moreBroker snap: Good medium-term growth expected for Sage
2nd Dec 2010 12:05
Sage's subscription revenue growth has led Nomura to expect solid execution next year from the blue chip accountancy software firm. Sage reported "robust subscription revenues growing at 3%" in the second half versus the broker's expectation of 1%. Nomura notes that a growth of around 4% is achieva
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Sage, BG, Thomas Cook
2nd Dec 2010 06:32
There are definite signs that the market may be running out of patience with Sage Group. The company, one of our most established software groups, has paid a dividend since its 1989 stock market float. But the emphasis in recent years has been on acquisitions to add to a pedestrian rate of growth, a
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