London afternoon: Footsie bursts through 4800
21st Aug 2009 14:15
Trading remains very thin in London but that has not stopped the Footsie from moving above the 4,800 level for the first time since October of last year. Insurance companies, with their huge investment portfolios, are naturally big beneficiaries of the continued market revival and they lead today
Read moreLondon midday: London's streak continues
21st Aug 2009 12:04
The wobble by global stock markets on Monday following last Friday's dismal US consumer sentiment figures seems a long time ago now as London looks well set to advance for the fourth day in a row. Insurance companies lead the advance in the wake of yesterday's surge by fallen US insurance giant AI
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Intuit knocks stuffing out of Sage
21st Aug 2009 11:14
Intuit, a major US rival to accounting software firm Sage Group, announced a net loss of $70.7m for the three months to 31 July yesterday but, perhaps more importantly from the perspective of a Sage shareholder, it painted a gloomy picture of prospects for this year and next. Intuit's chief executi
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Sage, Games Workshop, Arm
29th Jul 2009 06:43
Business software group Sage still looks solid enough, with good cash flows, and a cost-cutting drive to salvage margins. The group also pointed out that companies were not yet ditching contracts or trading down. The multiple of 11 times brokers' estimated earnings in 2009 looks about right, with a
Read moreLondon close: Footsie ends winning streak
28th Jul 2009 16:33
Footsie looked set to continue its 11-day winning streak but soon started a steady downward slide that saw it close sharply in the red. Software giant Sage led Footsie higher in early dealings, staging a relief rally on results that were in line with market expectations though it warned that market
Read moreLondon afternoon: Slide accelerates
28th Jul 2009 14:19
With wall Street expected to open lower, London moved further into the red over the lunchtime session, leaving the Footsie a sizeable deficit to make up if it is to set a new record for consecutive days of rises. Software giant Sage is doing its bit for Footsie, staging a relief rally on results th
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Wise heads give Sage the nod
28th Jul 2009 13:32
Sage is the top riser on the FTSE 100 today on comments market conditions in the quarter ended 30 June 2009 have remained challenging but largely unchanged. Broker Evolution Securities was reassured by the trading update and has raised its rating from "sell" to "neutral" and upped its price target
Read moreBroker tips: BP, Sage, Pearson
28th Jul 2009 13:04
BP produced better than expected second quarter headline numbers but Panmure Gordon remains a seller, saying that the underlying numbers appear to be merely in line with market expectations. "Overall, the operating divisions' aggregate earnings were in line with expectations. However, the company b
Read moreBroker snap: Sage reassures
28th Jul 2009 12:43
Accountancy software giant Sage was the best performing FTSE stock on Tuesday morning though the rise appears to have been spurred by relief that the results were not worse than expectations. "There has been no significant change in market conditions during the quarter ended 30 June 2009 and we are
Read moreLondon midday: Miners threaten Footsie streak
28th Jul 2009 12:14
If the Footsie is to rise for a record breaking 12th day in succession it looks like it is going to do so without the assistance of the mining stocks which are in retreat today. Software giant Sage is doing its bit for Footsie, staging a relief rally on results that were in line with market expect
Read moreSector movers: Sage cheers software sector
28th Jul 2009 09:54
Software giant Sage gives the whole sector a lift after it said results for the year ended 30 September 2009 are in-line with market expectations but warned that markets remain testing. The group said market conditions in the quarter ended 30 June 2009 have remained challenging but largely unchange
Read moreLondon open: Footsie on course for record
28th Jul 2009 08:33
All eyes today will be on Footsie and whether it can set a new record of twelve consecutive daily gains. Currently, it is comfortably on course despite some mixed results on another big day for company announcements. Oil giant BP announced second quarter replacement cost profits towards the top e
Read moreLondon pre-open: Hesitantly firmer
28th Jul 2009 07:44
Interest is focused on whether the Footsie can set a new record for consecutive gains today, and the initial signs are promising with the blue-chip index set to open up 8 points higher at 4,594. Oil giant BP announced second quarter replacement cost profits towards the top end of market expectation
Read moreSage in line but markets remain testing
28th Jul 2009 07:02
Software giant Sage said results for the year ended 30 September 2009 is in-line with market expectations but warned that markets remain testing. The group said market conditions in the quarter ended 30 June 2009 have remained challenging but largely unchanged. Subscription revenues continue to
Read moreTuesday preview: BP, ARM, Sage
27th Jul 2009 17:18
BP, Royal Dutch Shell and US oil major Exxon Mobil all release results this week with BP starting the ball rolling on Tuesday with its second quarter update. Expectations for headline earnings range from $2.4bn to $3.3bn, versus a first quarter figure of $2.39bn, as the company benefits from higher
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