London close: Sainsbury leads retreat
7th Oct 2009 17:03
After yesterday's 2.26% gain on the Footsie the blue-chip index took a small step backwards today, with half an eye on the US market where the third quarter results season is about to get underway. Supermarket chain Sainsbury was the worst performing blue-chip as sales growth figures disappointed.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Weak Wall St. undermines Footsie
7th Oct 2009 14:48
A soft opening by Wall Street prompted London's blue chips to take a step back, though plenty of firm features are still to be found. Supermarket Sainsbury's is off a few points after a 4.6% rise in like-for-like sales excluding fuel in the quarter to 3 October came in lower than expected. Exclud
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie trades sideways
7th Oct 2009 12:06
Footsie has traded sideways all morning with traders cautious after yesterday's surge in share and commodity prices. Predictions of a quiet start on Wall Street have added to the low key mood. Supermarket Sainsbury's is off a few points after a 4.6% rise in like-for-like sales excluding fuel in the
Read moreLondon open: Flat start for Footsie
7th Oct 2009 08:40
London's blue chips are pausing for reflection after yesterday's big gains both here and on Wall Street. Supermarket Sainsbury's is lower despite a 4.6% rise in like for like sales excluding fuel in the quarter to 3 October. Excluding the impact of the VAT cut, like-for-like sales in the quarter, t
Read moreWednesday paper round-up: Gold prices, British Airways, Tesco
7th Oct 2009 06:17
Gold prices hit a high of above $1,040 a troy ounce on Tuesday, propelled by investors seeking an alternative to the US dollar and a haven for their savings, traders and hedge fund managers said. The dollar suffered after Australia's central bank unexpectedly raised interest rates, prompting invest
Read moreLondon close: Miners lead Footsie recovery
6th Oct 2009 16:41
Mining stocks were at the forefront of a sharp rally in the FTSE 100 as the market recovered from a recent weak spell. Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Randgold Resources, Vedanta, Anglo American, Xstrata and ENRC are the pick of the risers in the mining sector as metal prices head higher. Reaction to Tes
Read moreLondon afternoon: Morning's gains consolidated
6th Oct 2009 14:36
Less than a dozen Footsie constituents are in the red this afternoon as the market recovers strongly on the back of buoyant mining shares. Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Randgold Resources, Vedanta, Anglo American, Xstrata and ENRC are the pick of the risers in the mining sector as metal prices head highe
Read moreBroker tips: Tesco, GlaxoSmithKline, Reckitt Benckiser
6th Oct 2009 13:04
JPMorgan Chase reckons there is scope for upward revisions to earnings forecasts at Reckitt Benckiser, driven by increased sales and improved margins. 'We see room for positive earnings revisions from better top line and operating margins for the core business and potentially milder profit erosion
Read moreBroker snap: Cracks appearing at Tesco
6th Oct 2009 12:52
The market seems to have had difficulty deciding what to make of the results from Tesco announced on Tuesday morning, but ETX Capital is convinced cracks are beginning to appear in the supermarket giant's money making machine. 'Despite a net first half profit in excess of £1bn and a hike in their d
Read moreLondon open: Footsie posts early gains
6th Oct 2009 08:53
Footsie's bright start is fizzling out a little after disappointment over Tesco's half-year profits, despite the surge by the Dow overnight. Australia's decision to raise interest rates has also sparked some caution, It is the first G20 member to do so since the credit curnch really started to bite
Read moreLondon pre-open: Gains likely as Tesco posts figures
6th Oct 2009 07:33
Tesco is likely to be in focus early on after reporting a modest rise in half-year profits. Traders expect Footsie to open up around 22 points. UK supermarket giant Tesco has made £1.42bn in the six month to August and said it is well-placed for the global recovery. Pre-tax profits were up by 1.5%
Read moreTesco makes £1.42bn in first half
6th Oct 2009 07:03
UK supermarket giant Tesco made profits of £1.42bn in the six month to August and said it is well-placed for the global recovery. Pre-tax profits were up 1.5% in the 26 weeks ended 29 August, while sales increased by 8.3% to £30.4bn. There was significant petrol deflation in the first half and on a
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Standard Chartered, Lonmin, Tesco
6th Oct 2009 06:44
Asian markets are likely to recover faster than Western economies - and this is where Standard Chartered is strong. There are concerns that the group may issue more shares in the next 18 months to fund its growth plans, but if this happens the group is likely to use its funds wisely. The bank is h
Read moreLondon close: Footsie puts on late spurt
5th Oct 2009 17:16
Having been lethargic all day leading shares put on a late spurt in London, after receiving a transatlantic boost in the form of better than expected data from the US services sector. Miners featured prominently among the top performers, helped by bullish comment from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
Read moreTuesday preview: Tesco, Chloride, Northern Foods
5th Oct 2009 16:46
UK supermarket giant Tesco issues interim results on Tuesday which will be complicated by the inclusion for the first time of Tesco Personal Finance as a consolidated entity. Broker Charles Stanley is forecasting profit before tax of £1,450m on sales of £28,250m, versus comparative figures from a y
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