Thursday tips round-up: Prudential, Tullow, Restaurant Group
10th Mar 2011 06:26
When Tidjane Thiam faced shareholders at Prudential's annual meeting last June, few would have wagered on him still being the company's chief executive nine months later, as resentment over the company's failed $35.5bn (£21.8bn) deal for AIA intensified. Mr Thiam seemed focused on the future yesterd
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Ex-dividend declines fuel index fall
9th Mar 2011 15:26
Shares going ex-dividend dominate the fallers in the Footsie today. British American Tobacco is the biggest faller but the share price has declined by slightly less than the 81p a share final dividend. Standard Chartered has fallen by more than its 29.8p a share dividend. Miner BHP Billiton has
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downward drift continues
9th Mar 2011 14:16
Blue-chip shares drifted lower still over the lunchtime session though a number of bright spots can be found, particularly among second liners. Insurer Prudential is in demand after saying it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's bigges
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction
9th Mar 2011 12:02
Shares are moving in both directions after updates, but the FTSE 100 sits a few points lower. Insurer Prudential is in demand after saying it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group operating profit before tax on a Eu
Read moreLondon open: Early falls despite Pru show of strength
9th Mar 2011 08:43
London has slipped lower in early dealings, despite good numbers from Prudential and a strong performance on Wall Street overnight as oil prices fell back. Insurer Prudential made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group o
Read moreLondon pre-open: Waiting on the Pru
9th Mar 2011 07:38
The blue-chip index is expected to open barely changed, though things may change when insurance giant Prudential releases results later this morning. Africa-focused oil company Tullow Oil ramped up profits in 2010, broadly in line with City expectations, as oil prices jumped by almost a third. Prof
Read moreTullow profits swell on higher oil price
9th Mar 2011 07:09
Africa-focused oil company Tullow Oil ramped up profits in 2010, broadly in line with City expectations, as oil prices jumped by almost a third. Profit before tax soared to $152m from $33m in 2009 and rose 137% to $73m after taxes. Sales revenue was 19% better at $1.09bn. Production fell 200,000 b
Read moreLondon close: Shares soar on Libya deal hopes
3rd Mar 2011 16:39
Reports that the Libyan situation might be resolved through mediation rather than violence sent UK shares sharply higher. The Arab League is said to be considering a proposal to end the fighting in Libya sending oil prices higher. Heavy oil users such as airline International Consolidated Airlines
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie cruises towards 6,000
3rd Mar 2011 14:13
Footsie has 6,000 within its sights once more as stocks bounce back strongly on hopes that the Libyan situation might be resolved. Reports that the Arab League is considering a proposal to end the fighting in Libya have boosted sentiment, and has sent the price of oil into reverse. Heavy oil users
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Amec remains confident
3rd Mar 2011 13:02
Footsie is dominated by risers today with two engineering companies the biggest gainers. Amec is the best performer after it said that it can expect to grow regardless of the pace of economic recovery. Pre-tax profits in 2010 soared to £258.2m from £203.5m the previous year as revenues grew to £2.
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 approaches 6,000
3rd Mar 2011 12:03
A combination of pleasing company updates and optimism that the Libyan situation will be resolved has sent shares sharply higher. Reports that the Arab League is considering a proposal to end the fighting in Libya have boosted sentiment, but talk that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is also to try
Read moreLondon open: Strong start as updates impress
3rd Mar 2011 08:40
Shares are broadly higher after a good reception for most updates, while BSkyB moves ahead after the government gave News Corporation's acquisition of the satellite broadcaster the green light. The government has agreed to let Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp, the publisher of the Times and Sun, buy satel
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie heading higher
3rd Mar 2011 07:43
Blue chips are expected to get off to a pretty good start Thursday as oil prices ease back and Asian stocks post gains this morning. US light crude for April delivery is currently trading down $1.02 at $101.21 a barrel. Rebels seem to be having some success fighting off Colonel Gaddafi's forces in
Read moreTullow hails excellent result off coast of Ghana
3rd Mar 2011 07:16
Oil and gas firm Tullow Oil hailed an "exceptional result" on its drilling of the Enyenra-2A appraisal well, in the Deepwater Tano licence offshore Ghana. Drilling successfully encountered oil in excellent quality sandstone reservoirs, with solid evidence of communication with the Owo-1 well, which
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
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