Wednesday newspaper round-up: J Sainsbury, Oil exploration, Bob Diamond...
12th Jan 2011 06:37
J Sainsbury has overtaken Asda as Britain's second-largest supermarket, seven years after it lost the position. Industry figures yesterday revealed that a strong Christmas performance by the London-based grocer enabled it to overtake its Leeds rival, capping a dismal 2010 for Asda. Sainsbury's sha
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Oil, Wheat, BP...
5th Jan 2011 06:37
High oil prices threaten to derail the fragile economic recovery among developed nations this year, the leading energy watchdog has warned, putting pressure on the Opec oil cartel to increase production. Over the past year the oil import costs for the 34 mostly rich countries that make up the Organ
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 shrugs off weather woes
20th Dec 2010 16:44
Shares held onto gains to close in positive territory despite the bad weather hitting travel and retail stocks. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers fell. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stay buoyant despite weather hit
20th Dec 2010 15:25
Footsie is still hovering around 5,900 points following a mixed start on Wall Street. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers have trimmed losses. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks & Spencer,
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 5,900
20th Dec 2010 12:00
Things turned around dramatically in the hour before lunch as the session came alive after a rather dull start, nudging a 2½-year high by midday. Defensive issues are still going well. National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy and British Gas owner Centrica are expected to benefit from the cold sn
Read moreSnow stops supermarket deliveries in Scotland
13th Dec 2010 12:04
Snow in Scotland has forced supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury's to stop taking online orders from customers north of the border. "We apologise for any inconvenience, but unfortunately we are currently unable to take any new orders in Scotland & the Scottish Isles," reads a statement on the Tes
Read moreChristmas 'no worse' for two-thirds of retailers
13th Dec 2010 10:33
Shopaholic Britons aren't expected to let a bit of snow and economic hardship ruin their Christmas, and almost two thirds of retailers are predicting business will be at least as good as last year. A new survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reveals that 35% of companies think retail sales
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Ireland, Gold, Lloyds...
8th Dec 2010 06:35
Ireland's government unveiled an historic €6bn austerity package as it sought to unlock desperately needed loans from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. Brian Lenihan, the Finance Minister, revealed a series of draconian budget measures including an assault on social welfare, depar
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips firmer
7th Dec 2010 08:47
London's blue-chips have opened firmer with resources stocks in demand and a solid update from Tesco providing some encouragement for buyers. Miners and oil stocks lead the risers with the price of crude edging up towards the $90 per barrel mark. Essar, Fresnillo and Antofagasta are the best of the
Read moreLondon pre-open: Modest gains expected
7th Dec 2010 07:37
London's blue-chips are expected to open firmer on balance, with City traders tipping the Footsie will open its account around 20 points higher. Good momentum across all of its areas of operation helped supermarket giant Tesco lift sales by 8.8% in the past three months, though its international bu
Read moreAsia momentum lifts Tesco
7th Dec 2010 07:10
Good momentum across all of its areas of operation helped supermarket giant Tesco lift sales by 8.8% in the past three months, though its international businesses again led the way. Tesco has been spelling out its expansion plans in Asia in the past month and sales there were key to the 15.7% impro
Read moreTuesday preview: Tesco, Southern Cross Healthcare, retail sales
6th Dec 2010 17:34
Tesco last month outlined its plans to quadruple revenue in China over the next five years and is likely mention the Far East again in its trading update. The shares dipped slightly Monday perhaps in anticipation of an unexciting update. Broker Jefferies International thinks UK trading is likely to
Read moreSector movers: Oil stocks rise despite Desire disappointment
6th Dec 2010 15:47
With crude trading near a 26-month high, oil stocks are in demand. Big hitters such as BP, BG and Cairn Energy are posting gains, but it is not all cheer in the sector. Desire Petroleum's shares have collapsed after it said it has plugged and abandoned the 14/15-2 Rachel North well. Alternative en
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Santander, Euro crisis, Tesco...
1st Dec 2010 06:39
Santander in the UK has been seriously weakened after its outgoing chief executive António Horta-Osório raided its management team for two senior bankers, who will join him at Lloyds. The departures, which mean that Santander has lost three key board directors within a month, has prompted speculati
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Severn Trent, Travis Perkins, Renold...
24th Nov 2010 06:48
Behind the as-expected headlines, water firm Severn Trent has a good story to tell. Most importantly, given the new pricing structure, Severn Trent's cost-cutting plans are on track. Operating expenditure is also in line with forecasts, and below the level set by the regulator. With a price-earnin
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