London close: Lower finish for FTSE 100
9th May 2011 16:44
The top share index closed in the red despite a bright start to the day, continuing the volatile performance seen last week. Energy supplier Centrica is a struggler after saying it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regime on UK oil pro
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 lower on volatile day
9th May 2011 12:07
The FTSE 100 is in the red after giving up an early recovery on what is turning out to be another choppy day for the top share index. Energy supplier Centrica is a struggler after saying it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regime on UK
Read moreLondon open: Stocks give up gains
9th May 2011 08:28
Stocks have fallen back after Friday's surge, with company updates sending shares in both directions. Energy supplier Centrica is an early struggler after saying it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regime on UK oil production. The incr
Read moreLondon pre-open: Profit takers hold sway
9th May 2011 07:39
After Friday afternoon's surge on the back of better than expected US jobless data investors looks set to be quick to bank profits at the start of the new week. City traders expect London's blue-chip index to open almost 30 points lower at around 5,947. Energy supplier Centrica expects profits grow
Read moreVO5 sale to seal Unilever's Alberto Culver deal
9th May 2011 07:01
Anglo-Dutch household goods giant Unilever has received regulatory clearance to acquire US personal care and household brands firm, Alberto Culver, after agreeing to divest the Alberto VO5 and Rave brands in the US. After reaching an agreement with the US Department of Justice Unilever expects the
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish ahead of Royal Wedding
28th Apr 2011 16:46
Stocks finished flat heading into the long weekend, though there was no shortage of company updates for investors to digest. Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread shrugged off the economic difficulties said to be plaguing Britain as it upped its dividend by 17% and announced plans to step up
Read moreSector movers: Unilever and Devro drag food producers lower
28th Apr 2011 16:24
Food producers are on their way lower, with sector peer Unilever and Devro dampening sentiment with disappointing first quarter statements. Food and household goods giant Unilever reported "sluggishness" in developed markets, despite turnover rising by 7%. Devro, which makes manufactured casings
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction after updates
28th Apr 2011 12:05
A stream of updates from big-hitters such as Shell and Unilever has failed to give the top share index any overall sense of direction. Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread shrugged off the economic difficulties said to be plaguing Britain as it upped its dividend by 17% and announced plans
Read moreUnilever warns of margin pressure
28th Apr 2011 08:50
Food and household goods giant Unilever reported continued growth in the first quarter of 2011, though developed markets are "sluggish." The company, whose brands include Dove soap and Magnum ice creams, said turnover rose by 7% to €10.9bn (£9.7bn). "We have delivered a good performance which demo
Read moreThursday preview: Shell, Unilever, Astra ...
27th Apr 2011 18:21
As is usually the case, hot on the heels of a trading update from oil titan BP comes a report from its Anglo-Dutch rival Royal Dutch Shell. Broker Charles Stanley says that after Shell's fourth quarter update failed to cut the mustard, the first quarter update "will be quite an important staging p
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: IMF on banks, UK economy, BP
14th Apr 2011 06:07
Debt-laden banks are the biggest threat to global financial stability and they must refinance a $3.6 trillion "wall of maturing debt" which comes due in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said in its Global Financial Stability Report. Many European banks need bigger capital cushions
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Interest rates, National Express, Tigers, helicopters
13th Apr 2011 06:05
Interest rates are likely to remain at their record low level for months to come after falling food prices brought a surprise drop in inflation. Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, openly encouraged the Bank to keep rates on hold, saying the UK economy "needs" low rates to recover, the Telegraph re
Read moreJohnston Press chairman buys again
21st Mar 2011 16:59
Johnston Press chairman Ian Russell has nearly doubled his stake in the local newspaper publisher. Russell acquired 1.3m shares at 7.65p each, taking his stake to 2.71m shares. The share purchase cost just over £99,000. The Johnston Press share price has fallen by nearly three-quarters in the pa
Read moreUnilever acquisition worries OFT
18th Mar 2011 15:38
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has raised concerns relating to Unilever's acquisition of TRESemmé owner Alberto Culver, as it could cause competition problems in the bar soaps markets. The regulator said that the acquisition would result in a "loss of strong competitive constraint" on the Unileve
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners recover
17th Mar 2011 14:18
Mining shares are starting to recover today. Antofagasta and Xstrata are both ahead. Shares in Weir Group are higher after one of its directors, Lord Smith of Kelvin, bought more than £48,000 worth of shares. Legal & General has fallen even though the insurer raised its full year dividend by 2
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