Broker snap: Mixed outlook for Smiths
19th Nov 2009 12:00
There were encouraging aspects to the recent quarterly trading update from Smiths Group but after the shares have risen by more than a fifth over the last three months, broker Charles Stanley rates the shares no more than a 'hold'. 'We like SMIN's [Smith Group's] recurring revenue streams (2/3 sale
Read moreSmiths on track after first three months
17th Nov 2009 15:36
Technology firm Smiths Group said trading after the first three months is in line with expectations with headline profit ahead of last year on an underlying basis despite lower revenues. Smiths said it has continued to make good progress in delivering its cost-saving programme and other operational
Read moreSpouse cashes in CSR chips
5th Nov 2009 16:32
CSR chief technology officer James Collier's wife has sold 377,750 shares in the bluetooth and Global Position System chips maker at prices between 422.5p and 439.4p a share. That cuts Collier's stake to 1.02m shares, or 0.56%. On 2 March 2009, Collier exercised an option over 382,002 shares at 5.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners a drag
21st Oct 2009 14:38
Mining stocks and a couple of blue-chips going ex-dividend today pushed the Footsie below 5200 in the morning session though the index showed some signs of recovery over the lunch-time session. Smiths Group and BSkyB are the highest profile stocks in the red as a result of trading in ex-dividend st
Read moreLondon midday: Blue chips turn lower
21st Oct 2009 12:03
Footsie's early drift has given way to more substantial falls as US futures point to a lower opening on Wall Street. Smiths Group and BSkyB are the highest profile stocks in the red as a result of trading in ex-dividend status today. Also on the downturn is London Stock Exchange, after Goldman Sach
Read moreLondon open: Quiet start in London
21st Oct 2009 08:54
London's top stocks are moving sideways pretty much despite a late burst on Wall Street and better than expected results after hours from US web giant Yahoo! UK company news is less dramatic. Home Retail reported a 3% rise in half year sales and said trading at both Argos and Homebase exceeded its
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Smiths Group, Man, FirstGroup
1st Oct 2009 05:53
Smiths says that it has felt a pick-up in some markets since the end of its financial year. Second, cost-saving measures, including tighter management of working capital, have done much to mitigate recession. It was relief that full-year profits were no worse that sent the shares up 6 per cent. But
Read moreLondon close: Best ever quarterly gain for Footsie
30th Sep 2009 17:00
Wall Street fell out of bed at the start of its trading day after the release of disappointing business activity data and London quickly followed the US market downwards. However, a rally in the last half hour ensured that the FTSE 100 enjoyed its best ever quarterly percentage gain since the index
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still lacking direction
30th Sep 2009 14:20
Footsie has continued its recent sluggish run, with company updates pulling the leading share index in both directions, but remains set for a record quarterly gain. Hedge fund manger Man is the best performer after a bullish trading update. "Investor sentiment is continuing to improve across the in
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 on course for record quarter
30th Sep 2009 12:13
Footsie still looks on course for a record quarterly gain, but early strong rises have been whittled away ahead of the US open. Hedge fund manger Man is the best performer after a bullish trading update. "Investor sentiment is continuing to improve across the industry, the performance outlook is h
Read moreSector movers: Retailers out of fashion
30th Sep 2009 10:57
Retailers are lower, most notably Marks & Spencer, which posted another fall in quarterly like-for-like sales, although these were better than expected, suggesting consumer confidence may be creeping back. Alexon Group, the ladies clothing specialist, was the heaviest faller in the sector after sa
Read moreLondon open: Early gains for Footsie
30th Sep 2009 08:47
Footsie has shrugged off a sluggish performance in the US overnight and is now pushing ahead again. Hedge fund manger Man is the best performer after a bullish trading update. "Investor sentiment is continuing to improve across the industry, the performance outlook is healthy and the prospects for
Read moreLondon pre-open: Slight fall expected
30th Sep 2009 07:45
Footsie is expected to fall by a couple of points in early dealings, continuing its rather sluggish performance of recent days. Fashion and food retailer Marks & Spencer posted a 0.5% fall in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to 26 September as recession-hit shoppers stayed frugal. Chairman Sir S
Read moreSmiths stalls, but tops forecasts
30th Sep 2009 07:21
Technology outfit Smiths Group's profits stalled last year as a number of divisions were hit by the economic downturn, but the numbers still beat forecasts, sending the shares sharply higher. The firm, which makes medical equipment and airport X-ray scanners, said headline pre-tax profit dropped to
Read moreWednesday preview: Marks & Spencer, Smiths Group, Misys
29th Sep 2009 17:43
High Street giant Marks & Spencer issues a second quarter update on Wednesday which will illuminate whether the strong run by the company's shares in the third quarter - they are up by a quarter over the period - has been justified by trading performance. For the second quarter Societe Generale is
Read more