Broker snap: Lack of operational gearing at SIG
25th Mar 2011 12:36
RBS stays a 'buyer' of construction products supplier SIG and increases the target price, but highlights a lack of operational gearing as a key concern facing the sector. Full year pre-tax profit was £62.5m, ahead of consensus estimates of £62m, on a like-for-like (LfL) year-on-year sales decline o
Read moreLondon close: Strong end to a strong day
17th Mar 2011 16:49
London's blue chips were strong all day and boosted late on by a strong start in the US where the Dow notched up a triple-digit gain in quick time. For once, investors overlooked the ongoing bad news on the Japanese earthquake and turmoil in the Arab world to hunt out a few bargains. Heritage Oi
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Heritage Oil rises on rejected offer
17th Mar 2011 15:26
Heritage Oil is wanted after reports in the FT indicated the company has rejected an informal offer of 425p per share from an Abu Dhabi based investor. "This would represent a 47% premium to yesterday's close and a 25% premium to our current target price of 341p," said resources specialist Westhou
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares kick on as US opens higher
17th Mar 2011 13:57
Share prices kicked on over the lunchtime session, boosted by a firm start on Wall Street, where the Dow has notched up a triple-digit gain in quick time. Though the focus remains on the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and any response to the turbulence it has caused in the financial markets
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie to retake 5,600
17th Mar 2011 07:40
Blue chips are expected to edge high in early trade despite a 1.4% slide in Tokyo. Futures prices indicate an 18-point gain for the FTSE 100 first thing, regaining the 5,600 level. Legal & General is confident, despite a drop in full-year operating profit, as sales rose 28% and the government's de
Read moreGovernment cuts to hold back SIG
17th Mar 2011 07:10
Construction products supplier SIG posted higher profits in 2010 as it recovered from the economic downturn following the 2008-09 global crash, but warned that government cuts will counteract private sector growth this year. SIG, which supplies materials for insulation, roofing and other areas of c
Read moreThursday preview: Legal & General, Premier Farnell, SIG, US inflation
16th Mar 2011 15:22
On Thursday, insurance heavyweight Legal & General issues full-year figures. In a trading update released in November the company said it was on track to beat its £600m cash generation target, having generated net cash of £526m in the first nine months of 2010. It also hinted that the dividend might
Read moreSIG hit by cold spell
13th Jan 2011 12:48
Insulation and construction products group SIG said it was affected by the severe weather in the UK and other parts of Europe in November and December as it predicted total sales for the year will be down. They are expected to be in the region of £2.69bn, a 2% fall from £2.744bn the previous year,
Read moreSIG confident after sales rise
17th Nov 2010 07:49
SIG, a supplier of insulation and construction products, said it is confident of reaching full year profit expectations and posted a modest rise in second half sales. SIG said its end markets had continued to stabilise during the second half with modest like for like sales growth achieved in each o
Read moreWednesday preview: Experian, ICAP, BoE minutes
16th Nov 2010 18:36
Credit checking specialist Experian is set to deliver a solid set of first half results, according to broker Charles Stanley, which reckons pre-tax profit will edge up to $440m from $430m last year. For the first half Experian is targeting mid single-digit organic revenue growth and earnings before
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rises again after strong week
9th Jul 2010 17:07
Footsie finished a very good week on the up again, helped by gains for the miners, life groups and Smith & Nephew. Antofagasta was the stand-out stock in the mining sector after Goldman Sachs issued a "buy" recommendation. Goldman Sach also advocates buying Anglo American ahead of an expected adv
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie condolidates gains
9th Jul 2010 14:39
Shares edged a little bit higher over the lunch time session with little sign yet of investors looking to bank the week's gains. Mining stocks are leading the advance. Antofagasta is the stand-out stock in the sector after Goldman Sachs issued a "buy" recommendation. Goldman Sach also advocates buy
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Bodycote jumps 12%
9th Jul 2010 13:48
Steady and broad based progress is being made at engineering firm Bodycote, leaving it on course to comfortably exceed the highest broker forecast for full year operating profit. The company's shares have jumped more than 12%. Housebuilder Bovis is selling homes in line with its targeted weekly sal
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks becalmed
9th Jul 2010 11:59
After a bright start things in London have tailed off with those traders still chained to their screens probably contemplating an early getaway for the week-end. Constituents of the FTSE 100 index are almost exactly divided between leaders and laggards, with insurers and base metal miners prominent
Read moreLondon open: Footsie up again
9th Jul 2010 08:57
London has started brightly buoyed by another strong performance overnight on Wall Street and a rash of upbeat company announcements. Miners are leading the way following the big gains in the US. Antofagasta, ENRC and Rio Tinto are the best performers. On the downside, National Grid, GlaxoSmithKlin
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