Trio take place in top index
18th Sep 2009 17:33
Balfour Beatty, Pennon and Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust spent their last day in London's premier league Friday as demotion to the FTSE 250 comes into effect tonight. The latest quarterly reshuffle, based on closing share prices two weeks ago, sees pest control firm Rentokil Initial, hotel an
Read moreLondon close: BAE dives after contract setback
27th Aug 2009 17:15
After dithering for much of the day London ended in arrears, falling for the second day in succession. A weak opening by Wall Street sent the Footsie into decline in the afternoon session and a late swoon by BAE Systems ensured there was no way back to the high ground for the blue-chip index. Shar
Read moreLondon afternoon: Back in the blue
27th Aug 2009 14:27
The London stock market continues its see-saw day, moving back into positive territory over the lunch-time session. Some encouragement was drawn from the CBI's distributive trades survey which found that the balance of retailers expecting a deterioration in their general business situation over the
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Bid boosts National Express
27th Aug 2009 12:34
National Express shares have motored ahead after announcing a consortium, which includes CVC Capital Partners and the Cosmen family, is prepared to pay 450p a share in cash for the bus and trains operator. Oil service firm Hunting is going strong after it saw profits rise for the half-year due to h
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie sinks into the red
27th Aug 2009 12:08
Having enjoyed a brief sojourn above the 4900 level Footsie is now in negative territory, weighed down by poor performing financial stocks. Banks, insurers and properties are all being given the cold shoulder though Royal Bank of Scotland is an exception after Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted its pri
Read moreSegro losses swell
27th Aug 2009 12:01
Property group Segro gave back some of its recent gains today after revealing interim losses grew to almost half a billion pounds. The firm recorded a pre-tax loss of £493.3m for the six months ended 30 June, more than last year's £315.3m deficit. Property losses hit £514m after a valuation deficit
Read moreSegro receives 86.53% placing take-up
28th Jul 2009 08:15
Property group Segro said it has received 86.53% take-up for its placing and open offer to raise £250m. The group said it had received valid acceptances in respect of 51.5m shares. The remaining 13.47% that has not been taken up will be allocated to the investors with whom they have been condition
Read moreLondon close: Bright finish for FTSE 100
13th Jul 2009 16:26
Footsie put a sluggish start behind it to finish with good gains, helped by a strong showing on Wall Street. Friends Provident was the best performer after Clive Cowdery's new vehicle, Resolution , said it has received "constructive feedback" from the board of Friends over its merger approach and i
Read moreLondon afternoon: Friends leads London higher
13th Jul 2009 14:32
Mergers and acquisition activity is keeping share prices bubbling as London makes a solid start to the week. Friends Provident is the best performer after Clive Cowdery's new vehicle, Resolution , said it has received "constructive feedback" from the board of Friends over its merger approach and i
Read moreLondon midday: M&A activity perks up shares
13th Jul 2009 11:56
The blue-chip index edged higher in the morning sessions despite the weakness of miners and banks, with increased merger and acquisition activity encouraging buyers back to the market. Friends Provident is the best performer after Clive Cowdery's new vehicle, Resolution , said it has received "con
Read moreLondon close: Modest gains as US struggles
9th Jul 2009 16:33
Equities held onto gains despite a lacklustre final session as Wall St struggled to make headway. Mining stocks continue to dominate the list of risers. Silver miner Fresnillo is the best performer after being upgraded to "buy" by Citigroup. In contrast the US bank had downgraded gold miner Rand
Read moreLondon afternoon: Rally gathers pace
9th Jul 2009 14:46
Equities pushed higher over the lunch-time session, boosted by expectations of a firm start on Wall Street. Mining stocks continue to dominate the list of risers. Silver miner Fresnillo is the best performer after being upgraded to "buy" by Citigroup. In contrast the US bank had downgraded gold min
Read moreLondon midday: Mining stocks in the driving seat
9th Jul 2009 12:17
Mining stocks are behind the wheel once again and today they are driving the market higher. Silver miner Fresnillo is the best performer after being upgraded to "buy" by Citigroup. In contrast the US bank had downgraded gold miner Randgold Resources to "hold" from "buy". Elsewhere in the sector An
Read moreLondon open: Miners provide early boost
9th Jul 2009 08:33
Miners are giving London's blue chips a lift in early dealings ahead of the Bank of England's decision on interest rates and the quantitative easing programme later today. Fresnillo is the best performer, up more than 5%, closely followed by Kazakhmys, Anglo American, Vedanta Resources, Antofagasta
Read moreSEGRO confirms Brixton terms, raises £250m
9th Jul 2009 07:56
The boards of property groups SEGRO and Brixton have agreed the terms of their merger, to be effected by an offer by SEGRO for Brixton. Brixton shareholders are being offered 0.175 of a consideration share, equivalent to 1.75 SEGRO shares prior to the SEGRO share consolidation, for each Brixton sha
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