London close: Strong finish to bad month
31st Aug 2011 16:39
The top share index finished the worst month since the financial crisis broke out in late 2008 with strong gains as strong economic data in the US whetted investors' appetite for battered shares. The purchasing managers' index, which measures industrial sentiment for the Chicago area, came in ahead
Read moreLondon midday: Smith & Nephew leads rally
31st Aug 2011 12:01
Shares have built on their earlier gains, though the rally is unlikely to be enough to prevent the biggest monthly fall since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008. Among today's big gainers is bid rumour-mongers' favourite Smith & Nephew. Latest talk has it that peer Stryker could be inter
Read moreFTSE 100 Movers: Reheated bid rumours boost Smith & Nephew
31st Aug 2011 10:44
Shares in replacement hip manufacturer Smith & Nephew moved sharply higher on Wednesday amid renewed talk of a bid for the company. Shares in the company were higher yesterday and rose again today bringing them back to the levels at which they sat ahead of the recent market decline. Morgan Stanle
Read moreBid talk boosts Smith & Nephew again
31st Aug 2011 10:33
Shares in replacement hip manufacturer Smith & Nephew moved sharply higher on Wednesday amid renewed talk of a bid for the company. Shares in the company were higher yesterday and added more than 7% today, bringing them back to the levels at which they sat ahead of the recent market decline. Accord
Read moreLondon open: Bwin, 888 lead the rise
31st Aug 2011 08:48
The Footsie edged higher in early trading on the back of a rally in New York last night after minutes from the last meeting of the Federal Reserve showed policymakers considered stimulus measures to kickstart the world's biggest economy. In London, online gaming firm bwin.party surged higher on the
Read moreSmith & Nephew sales rise but margins disappoint
5th Aug 2011 08:03
Medical devices firm Smith & Nephew reported higher revenues and profits in the quarter to 3 July, but said margins were "disappointing" due to higher sales of lower margin products and other factors. Revenue climbed to $1.077bn (£659m) from $959m over the same period the previous year, while opera
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Man Group rises after impressive quarter
7th Jul 2011 15:30
Man Group is the high riser of the day, gaining over 3.5% in the afternoon, after reporting record sales in its first quarter. Funds under management at the hedge fund manager rose to $71bn at the end of June, from $69.1bn at the end of March, as the group racked up sales of $9.0bn to record a net
Read moreSmith & Nephew shares tread water
7th Jul 2011 11:59
Shares in artificial joint specialist, Smith & Nephew, were off slightly after rumours of a takeover teased the market yesterday. Its shares moved 11.5p higher to 684p on Wednesday after talk of a 850p approach by United States's Stryker. However, any further details of the alleged cash offer were
Read moreLondon close: Another day of big losses for FTSE 100
5th May 2011 16:51
Stocks fell sharply having started the day well, with banks and miners among the heaviest fallers. First quarter profits fell sharply at part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking, which closed down 8% today, as the bank took an impairment charge that was half a billion pounds larger than it was expec
Read moreSector movers: Smith & Nephew bolsters heath care sector
5th May 2011 16:06
Medical devices firm Smith & Nephew is propping up the heath care equipment and services sector, after a strong first quarter performance. Revenues during the three months ended 2 April rose to $1.06bn, from $995m the year before, boosted by progress at its US knee franchise. Few seemed to be disap
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Schroders drops after profit misses targets
5th May 2011 15:26
Asset management firm Schroders has taken a tumble as profits came short of expectations in the first quarter. The group's profit before tax rose to £103.8m, from £93.2m in the first quarter of 2010, but that wasn't enough for investors who were hoping for a figure closer to £117m. Lloyds has also
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 back on the slide
5th May 2011 12:07
The top share index has given up its bright start to resume the slide suffered yesterday, with banks leading the fall. The mining sector, which had started brightly, is also lower. First quarter profits fell sharply at part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking, as the bank took an impairment charge t
Read moreLondon open: Banks spoil the party
5th May 2011 08:28
Stocks have rallied following yesterday's slide, but only slightly as the banking sector puts a dampener on the recovery. First quarter profits fell sharply at part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking, as the bank took an impairment charge that was half a billion pounds larger than it was expecting,
Read moreKnee growth puts S&N on solid footing
5th May 2011 07:17
Medical devices firm Smith & Nephew said first quarter revenue was boosted by progress at its US knee franchise while net profit fell. During the first quarter ended 2 April 2011 revenue rose to $1.055bn from $995m the year before. Trading profit fell to $241m from $250m after it incurred higher ad
Read moreThursday preview: BoE rate decision, Lloyds, Morrisons ...
4th May 2011 18:36
It is a big day for central banks on Thursday with the Bank of England and the European Central Bank both set to announce their interest rate decisions, though neither is expected to alter course ... yet. For the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the pressure to lift interest rates
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