Sector movers: Smith & Nephew boosts healthcare higher
10th Jan 2011 16:05
Shares in artificial joint specialist Smith & Nephew have pressured the healthcare equipment and services sector higher after widespread reports that it rejected a bid approach from giant US rival Johnson & Johnson just before Christmas. J&J is said to have offered about 750p per share, valuing th
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners a drag
10th Jan 2011 14:20
Footsie moved sideways over the lunch time trading session. Mining stocks continue to weigh the blue-chip index down, but oil stocks provide some cheer. A decline in copper imports into commodity-hungry China sent prices for the red metal lower. Kazakhmys, which transports copper from its Kazakhsta
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 stuck lower
10th Jan 2011 12:11
Shares remain rooted in negative territory in spite of a big jump from artificial joint specialist Smith & Nephew following reports of an offer from Johnson & Johnson. Miners are holding back the top share index. A decline in copper imports into commodity-hungry China sent prices for the red metal
Read moreSmith & Nephew in J&J sights
10th Jan 2011 07:24
Shares in artificial joint specialist Smith & Nephew soared more than 10% after widespread reports that it rejected a bid approach from giant US rival Johnson & Johnson just before Christmas. J&J is said to have offered about 750p per share, valuing the knee joint maker at almost £6.7bn. The shares
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Smith & Nephew, BP, Portugal...
10th Jan 2011 06:42
The healthcare group Smith & Nephew has rejected an offer from its American rival Johnson & Johnson, it emerged last night. The offer is reported to have been pitched at exactly £1 more than the 650p S&N shares closed at on Friday and would have valued the group at almost £6.7bn. A company spokesma
Read moreLondon close: Footsie back below 6,000
29th Dec 2010 17:01
Footsie did not stay above 6,000 for long and it ended the day down 13 at 5,996. A strong performance from mining companies, particularly those involved in gold, was not enough to offset a decline in banks, which are weak on worries over the debt issues facing the eurozone. Royal Bank of Scotland
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Gold miners move ahead
29th Dec 2010 12:56
Gold miners are heading higher on the back of concerns about the bond markets. African Barrick Gold is the best of the risers today alongside Randgold Resources. The US FDA says that testing and validation methods at Smith & Nephew's Tuttlingen plant in Germany violate rules. Banks are weak on
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie falls below 6,000
29th Dec 2010 12:18
Footsie has failed to stay above 6,000 today and it has been heading downwards since just after 9am. Blizzards in the US are driving oil prices to a 26-month high above $91 a barrel. Heating oil prices in particular are rising. Royal Dutch Shell was one of the best performers this morning but it
Read moreTechMARK movers: S&N hit by FDA letter
29th Dec 2010 12:17
There is little news from TechMARK companies today with many rises based on a handful of shares traded. Telecoms firm KCOM is higher after eight trades, all of which are purchases. The US FDA says that testing and validation methods at Smith & Nephew's Tuttlingen plant in Germany violate rules.
Read moreLondon open: Mild gains for blue chips
29th Dec 2010 09:17
It's a quiet start to the shortened trading week with investors seeming content to wait until the real action picks up again next week. Weather continues to make headlines with this time the blizzards in the US driving up oil prices to a 26-month high above $91 a barrel. Heating oil prices in parti
Read moreSunday tips round-up: BG, IMI, Smith & Nephew...
12th Dec 2010 15:33
Shares in energy giant BG Group hit a two-and-a-half year high at the end of last week after it gave an update on operations at its Tupi and Guara fields in Brazil. Based on the new resources estimates for these fields, the three floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels that are
Read moreTechMARK movers: Innovation recovers
9th Dec 2010 13:08
Shares in The Innovation Group are recovering following Tuesday's results. The software and services supplier to the insurance sector has almost completed its restructuring. Loss before tax narrowed to £1.7m for the year ended 30 September 2010 from a loss of £19.8m previously. Revenues during t
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials lead market higher
9th Dec 2010 13:07
Financials dominate the risers on the Footsie as the Bank of England keeps the base rate unchanged and confidence recovers in the global economy. Man Group and RBS are both more than 3% ahead on the day. Cobham is the best performer even though the defence group will be dropped from the index on 2
Read moreLondon close: Footsie slips back on sluggish day
8th Dec 2010 16:56
Shares struggled to snap out of their earlier sluggishness all day, closing just a few points in the red. Bid-related activity was the main source of excitement. Medical devices group Smith & Nephew was swept more than 9% higher by talk of a possible acquisition. US private equity firms are though
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Smith & Nephew bid rumours
8th Dec 2010 15:21
Smith & Nephew is higher on rumours that it could be the subject of a bid. US private equity firms are thought to be considering an offer at 800p a share. There are also rumours that Gucci owner PPR many bid for Burberry. News from the British Retail Council showing shop price inflation fell f
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