London pre-open: Lower start envisaged after US retreat
8th Jun 2011 07:42
A slightly lower start looks to be on the cards after US stocks finished in the red last night following Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's speech on the economy. In stocks news, the spell of unusually hot weather over spring had drinkers queuing up at Punch Taverns, helping Britain's biggest
Read moreUltra Electronics wins £54m of submarine contracts
8th Jun 2011 07:37
Defence products group Ultra Electronics has won contracts worth £54m with engineer Rolls-Royce to supply reactor control and instrumentation systems for Royal Navy submarines. Ultra said it has been working on the equipment since 2004. Work on the contracts starts immediately and will continue unt
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: William Hill bets on full year targets
21st Apr 2011 13:33
Bookmaker William Hill is the best performer after reporting an 11% rise in revenues in the 13 weeks to 29 March. "We have seen excellent growth across our business in the first quarter, enabling us to remain confident in our expectations for the full year," chief executive Ralph Topping said. Rival
Read moreUltra Electronics confident on defence spending
21st Apr 2011 07:38
High-tech defence products supplier Ultra Electronics believes its focus on specialist products will help it withstand defence cuts. Trading has been in line with expectations. In the US, recent progress in allocating the defence budget should unblock delayed contract awards over the next few mont
Read moreLondon close: Shares slump as worries resurface
12th Apr 2011 16:38
The top share index's losses were almost in the triple digits by the close of trade after a steady day of losses amid worries over global economic growth. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised down its
Read moreLondon afternoon: More losses after weak US start
12th Apr 2011 15:31
The top share index has run into further selling after a poor start on Wall Street. Worries over global growth have re-emerged. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised down its growth expectations this y
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Punch disappoints as profits fall
12th Apr 2011 14:07
Punch Taverns disappointed after interim profits fell to £61m, from £66m. Financial services firm Matrix said that while the results were 'in line', there was not enough new information to warrant it changing its 'hold' rating. Pub peer Greene King, however, is among the risers. Budget airline eas
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 slips below 6,000
12th Apr 2011 12:04
The top share index is back below 6,000 points as concerns over global economic growth weigh on sentiment. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised down its growth expectations this year from 2%to 1.7%. Me
Read moreLondon open: Global growth worries hit stocks
12th Apr 2011 08:22
Stocks are on the back foot after the International Monetary Fund slashed its growth forecasts for the US and amid renewed worries over Japan after its earthquake. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised
Read moreUltra wins US Navy sub detection orders
12th Apr 2011 07:52
Defence electronics supplier Ultra Electronics has won a contract worth about $25m (£15m) to supply the US navy with sonobuoys, which detect submarines. The contracts have been awarded through ERAPSCO, a joint venture with the manufacturing group Sparton to supply sonobuoys. The sonobuoys will be d
Read moreBoss' s wife splashes out on Standard Life shares
11th Mar 2011 17:18
The wife of Standard Life's chief executive has spent nearly £300,000 on a stake in the insurer, the day after the company announced it had a "good" 2010. Caroline Nish, wife of David, bought 125,000 shares at 2,24p a time, taking the couple's stake to about 550,000 shares. The UK's fourth-largest
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 rally falls short
28th Feb 2011 16:51
The top share index failed to sustain a rally that came on the back of strength in the US and closed a few points lower. A slight easing in the oil price lightened the mood. Crude had edged up in the morning session amid continuing turmoil in Libya and the spread of protests to the Gulf state of Om
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie waxes as oil price wanes
28th Feb 2011 14:29
Shares staged a recovery over lunch, boosted by indications of a firmer start on Wall Street and a weakening of the oil price. Oil prices had edged up in the morning session amid continuing turmoil in Libya and the spread of protests to the Gulf state of Oman. Brent crude for April delivery was abo
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Hiscox among the high risers
28th Feb 2011 14:13
Shareholders at Bermuda-based specialist insurer Hiscox are pleased after the group increased its annual dividend by 10%. Gross written premiums were little changed at £1,433m in 2010 from £1,435m in 2009, while profit before tax fell to £211.4m from £320.6m the year before. Recruitment firm Hays i
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stuck lower
28th Feb 2011 12:05
Shares remain under pressure as the turmoil continues in the Arab world. Company updates have also been given a slightly frosty reception. Oil prices have edged up again amid continuing turmoil in Libya and the spread of protests to the Gulf state of Oman. Brent crude for April delivery was above $
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