FTSE 100 movers: Man Group leads the recovery
22nd Jun 2011 15:33
Hedge fund manager Man Group is the high riser of the day, pulling the Footsie back into positive territory, after some kind words from Credit Suisse. Man is "moving in the right direction", according to the Swiss brokerage, who upgraded the firm from a 'neutral' to an 'outperform' rating. "Clearly
Read moreTwo Petropavlovsk directors up their stakes
27th May 2011 16:47
The chairman and chief executive of Russia-focused FTSE 250 miner Petropavlovsk each topped up their stakes in the firm after VMHY Holdings - a company in which they together have a 50% holding - bought shares. As a result of the transaction, they each received 105,000 ordinary shares (representing
Read morePrice regulation proves costly for United Utilities
26th May 2011 10:27
With United Utilities having exited nearly all of its non-regulated activities in November, the impact of price reviews was experienced across the board, as revenues and profits fell back in the year ended 31 March. The water supplier reported that the 2009 price review included a 4% nominal price
Read moreSector movers: Centrica dampens utility stocks
9th May 2011 14:07
Centrica is providing a drag in the gas, water and multiutilities sector, the worst performing sector of the day. The energy group is currently the heaviest faller on the FTSE 100 after it said it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regim
Read moreBroker tips: IMI, Shire, United Utilities
3rd May 2011 12:20
The current year is shaping up to be a "great year" for engineer IMI, according to UBS, which has raised its target price on the stock by a quarter. UBS notes that the group is seeing its best growth since the early 1990s, and - "assuming that IMI can tag along with its competitors" who have shown
Read moreBroker snap: United Utilities downgraded to a 'hold'
3rd May 2011 12:04
While RBS has kept its target price for United Utilities at 680p, the broker has downgraded the water supplier to a 'hold', from 'buy', ahead of the group's full year results later this month. The broker expects full-year numbers to be down, reflecting the group's -4.3% K factor in 2010/11, "the fi
Read moreUnited Utilities boss raises £588,000 from share sale
28th Mar 2011 16:48
United Utilities chief executive Philip Green has raised £588,000 by selling 100,000 shares. Green still has 116,384 shares. The shares that were sold for 588p each were owned by Green and his wife Judy, who no longer holds any shares. In February, Green received 136,607 shares from the company'
Read moreLondon close: Strong gains in stores
24th Mar 2011 16:32
Footsie had a good day as investors mulled yesterday's Budget and decided overall it was good news for the stock market. Retailers were strong all day as investors focused on the numbers from Next and Kingfisher rather than some cautious comments over the retail sector over the rest of the year.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market consolidates gains
24th Mar 2011 14:24
Footsie has maintained most of its gains from the morning but there are signs that it is running out of steam even though Wall Street opened in positive territory. Wall Street has been heading lower since the start and it is only just still in positive territory. The two large earthquakes in Bu
Read moreLondon midday: Shares back in fashion
24th Mar 2011 12:25
Footsie burst through the 5800 barrier this morning and continued heading higher, helped by some strong updates from retailers Next and Kingfisher. Both firms made good money last year and increased their dividends accordingly. Next paraded a 9% rise in full-year profit to a new record, exactly wh
Read moreLondon open: Retailers shine in dull market
24th Mar 2011 08:12
Retailers are in focus in London, providing some badly needed interest in a market that has been sleep-walking since the Chancellor of the Exchequer stood up to give his speech yesterday. Next paraded a 9% rise in full-year profit to a new record, exactly what the City was expecting following guida
Read moreUnited Utilities just ahead of forecasts
24th Mar 2011 08:10
United Utilities is still trading "slightly" ahead of management expectations, keeping the water utility on track for a "solid" underlying full-year result. Regulated revenue continued the positive trends seen during the first half but, as previously flagged, will be a "little lower" than the first
Read moreF&C chairman continues buying
18th Mar 2011 16:54
F&C Asset Management chairman Edward Bramson's interests have been consistently buying shares in the past week, while F&C chief executive Alain Grisay has made a significant disposal. Bramson was appointed chairman of F&C last month after a shareholder coup but his investment vehicle SIGA LP had
Read moreIncoming United Utilities boss splashes out
16th Mar 2011 16:28
United Utilities' incoming chief executive has spent £400,000 on shares in the water supplier. Steven Mogford, who will take the reins at United Utilities on 31 March, took 70,814 shares at 564.9p a time, his first purchase of shares in the company. Mogford's appointment was announced in November
Read moreAverage rise of 4.6% for water bills
25th Feb 2011 12:16
Rising inflation rates are feeding through to water bills with consumers facing an average increase in annual charges of 4.6%, according to Ofwat. The water industry regulator had agreed with the water companies that average bills should fall by 0.1% before inflation is taken into account. The inf
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