Wednesday preview: Standard Chartered, Serco, ITV
1st Mar 2011 17:49
With results from HSBC out of the way, it is time for the other London-listed Asia-focused banking giant, Standard Chartered, to take centre stage on Wednesday. Standard Chartered makes around three-quarters of its profits from Asia, and competition has been hotting up in the region, putting margin
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips rally near close
24th Feb 2011 16:40
Shares rallied near the close despite the ongoing turmoil in Libya as Saudi Arabia indicated it would boost production to meet any shortfall caused by the unrest. Libya only produces about 2% of global output, but traders are worried the turmoil could spread to bigger oil producers, such as Algeri
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Bumper profit from Capita
24th Feb 2011 15:27
Outsourced services provider Capita is the best performer after its figures. Capita lifted revenues and profits in 2010 despite the coalition government's cost-cutting drive. Pre-tax profits climbed to £364.2m from £325.1m on revenues that rose to £2.74bn from £2.69bn. Serco has risen on the back
Read moreMouchel in advanced talks, shares jump
24th Feb 2011 13:03
Shares in Mouchel jumped after the outsourced services provider said it is in 'advanced discussions' with a potential bidder. Engineer Costain has bid for Mouchel, whose activities include providing CCTV-equipped cars used by local authorities to nab traffic offenders, twice in the past three month
Read moreSerco breaks into NZ gaol market
1st Feb 2011 08:12
Support services giant Serco has picked up the £140m contract to manage Mt Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland, New Zealand. Serco was selected as preferred bidder last year for the ten-year contract, which is valued at around NZ$300m, approximately £140m. The full contract will commence in Augus
Read moreLondon close: Shares jump after sluggish start
24th Jan 2011 16:46
Shares put their early indecisiveness behind them to close with good gains after a decent start on Wall Street. Banks were weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms. The political
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks edge higher
24th Jan 2011 14:49
After a morning of indecision, leading shares pushed on over the lunch time session, despite the weakness of the banking sector. Banks are weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms
Read moreNGnooncall:Equity markets fairly quiet on slow day for data
24th Jan 2011 13:40
UK UK markets have traded fairly quietly today with the banking sector leading the fallers after the report at the weekend by Sir John Vickers, chairman of the Independent Commission on Banking, said the financial crisis had exposed a "damagingly rickety structure" at the heart of the financial syst
Read moreBroker tips: Marston's, Serco, ASOS
24th Jan 2011 13:31
Pub group and brewer Marston's share price has taken a hit in the last couple of months making what Peel Hunt described as the best operator in the modern pub industry an even bigger bargain. Snow disruption, an "overwhelming exposure" to places with average public sector employment, and the north
Read moreBroker snap: Serco plays down speculation
24th Jan 2011 12:37
Outsourcing giant Serco has confirmed that it is not in talks over acquiring US group SRA International, much to the disappointment of Panmure Gordon, which described it as a missed opportunity for the group to become the "biggest foreign company providing services to the US government." The Teleg
Read moreLondon midday: Banks hold back FTSE 100
24th Jan 2011 12:13
Shares are still seeking direction as banks fall back. The sector is weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms. The political problems in Ireland have also unsettled the mood. RBS
Read moreLondon open: Cautious start to week
24th Jan 2011 08:51
London is muddling along in the early exchanges despite the decent finish to last week on Wall Street. Banks are weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms. The political problems i
Read moreLondon pre-open: Week to start well
24th Jan 2011 07:36
A mixed performance in Asia this morning isn't going to upset London, which looks like posting modest gains early on following a decent finish to last week on Wall Street. Futures prices point to a 16-point lead for the FTSE 100 when trading gets underway. In company news, Standard Chartered has a
Read moreSerco not buying SRA International
24th Jan 2011 07:09
Outsource giant Serco has played down weekend reports it wants to buy US homeland security firm SRA International. In a statement Sunday evening, the UK firm said it was "not in any discussions regarding any major transaction at this time," though it did not say whether it had been in discussions p
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Barclays, Cocoa, Centrica...
24th Jan 2011 06:42
Bob Diamond will stamp his authority on Barclays next month, when the incoming chief executive announces a radical overhaul of the way it pays its top bankers. According to people close to the plans, Mr Diamond aims to use innovative bonds - so-called contingent convertibles, or cocos - to pay a la
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