Sector movers: Retail shares fly off the shelves
4th Nov 2009 14:07
Investors have dug deep and picked up large lines of stock in leading retailers after numbers from both Marks & Spencer and Next impressed. Fashion chain Next has raised its guidance for second half sales up to Christmas Eve following better than expected sales in the third quarter. That, and a 2.
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Housebuilders are hot property
4th Nov 2009 14:06
The mid-cap index is all about the housebuilders Wednesday, with both Taylor Wimpey and Redrow confirming that their businesses have stabilised. Taylor Wimpey said UK orders are steady and selling prices have risen 9% from the £163,000 average at the end of July. Redrow's house sales have been 'r
Read moreLondon midday: London enjoys retail therapy
4th Nov 2009 12:05
Retail news dominated the morning trading session with well received results from two major retailers plus a cautiously upbeat trading update from shopping centre owner Liberty. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of expectations, with underlying profits risi
Read moreLondon open: Retailers brighten the mood
4th Nov 2009 08:51
Good news from two major retailers has boosted sentiment with a late rally on Wall Street also helping the mood. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of expectations, with underlying profits rising slightly as food sales improved for a fourth quarter in a row
Read moreTaylor Wimpey sees UK prices rise 9%
4th Nov 2009 07:24
Business has stabilised for troubled housebuilder Taylor Wimpey with UK orders steady and selling prices 9% higher than the £163,000 average at the end of July. Taylor added the price improvement reflected planned improvements in its sales mix towards housing rather than apartments, as well as pri
Read moreLondon pre-open: Marks sparks rally
4th Nov 2009 06:57
The firmer trend of yesterday afternoon is expected to continue at the outset today, with good news from two major retailers also boosting sentiment. Traders expect the FTSE 100 to open some 33 points higher at 5,070. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of
Read moreLondon close: Buoyant US lifts FTSE 100
28th Sep 2009 16:37
Footsie put a sluggish start to the day behind it to post strong gains, helped by buoyant showing on Wall Street. There were contrasting fortunes for two stocks dependent on the health of the housing market, with Wolseley on the rise and Home Retail on the slide. Earlier today property research fi
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market cements morning's gains
28th Sep 2009 14:15
London made further headway over the lunchtime session, boosted by expectations of a firm opening on Wall Street. There are contrasting fortunes for two stocks dependent on the health of the housing market, with Wolseley on the rise and Home Retail on the slide. Earlier today property research firm
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips at 10½-month high
20th Aug 2009 16:28
A brace of better than expected US data reinvigorated markets early afternoon Thursday, helping London close at it highest since early October. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index rose to +4.2 in August from -7.5 in July, while the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators rose 0
Read moreLondon afternoon: Prices bubble over
20th Aug 2009 14:14
Equity prices came off the top over the lunch-time session but remain firmly in the blue, albeit in thin trade, largely due to the strength of miners. Mining giant Rio Tinto is higher despite seeing profits falling by more than half in the six months to June 30 as it felt the impact of sharply lowe
Read moreLondon close: US confidence sours sentiment
14th Aug 2009 16:28
Weaker than expected US consumer sentiment data upset the apple cart Friday, giving investors an excuse to bank profits ahead of the weekend. Stockmarkets on both sides of the Atlantic have risen 15% in the past month, so no wonder investors were keen to trim their portfolios. Wall Street headed s
Read moreLondon afternoon: US sentiment data disappoints
14th Aug 2009 15:30
London's stockmarket overcame a technical glitch Friday afternoon only for equities to turn lower following a surprise plunge in US consumer confidence. Wall Street tumbled three figures shortly after the University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for August fell to 63.2 rather than t
Read moreLondon midday: Equities still on the REIT track
14th Aug 2009 11:59
Properties, miners and housebuilders were the sectors making the running this morning as London's blue-chip index strives to make it three days of rises in a row. Reports this morning suggested a consortium of some of the world's richest families is plotting a bid for British Land. Liberty Internat
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Housebuilders on the up
14th Aug 2009 11:57
Housebuilders and real estate stocks are among the mid-cap index's top performers. An upgrade to 'buy' from 'hold' by RBS has helped put housebuilder Taylor Wimpey among the top 10 risers. RBS, which lifts its target price on Taylor Wimpey to 47p from 37p, said the firm's recent results continued
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Emerald Energy sparkles on bid
12th Aug 2009 13:15
Emerald Energy is leading the risers after emerged Chinese state-run oil company Sinochem Resources has made a bid for the firm. Among the other main risers are housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Barratt. Legacy software specialist Micro Focus has predicted a running twelve-month revenue contribution
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