London afternoon: Resource stocks lead the way
1st Jul 2009 14:29
Resource stocks lead the market higher after the second half of the year got off to a good start following better than expected factory output data. The CIPS/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 47 in June from 45.4 the month before and a gloomy 34.9 in February. Most of the top
Read moreLondon midday: Marks sparks rally
1st Jul 2009 12:06
A well received set of results from Marks & Sparks and the strength of miners drives London higher today. Marks and Spencer's like-for-like sales fell across its major divisions in the first quarter, though total group sales were up. In the 13-weeks to June, UK like for like sales fell 1.4%, Genera
Read moreLondon open: Footsie strongly ahead
1st Jul 2009 08:50
It is all blue this morning so far with demand for miners adding to well received trading statements from Marks & Spencer and International Power. Bus and rail group National Express is the big story. It has handed back the East Coast franchise after failing to renegotiate terms. The service will n
Read moreLondon pre-open: Slight advance expected
1st Jul 2009 07:47
Footsie is tipped to edge higher in early dealings. Marks and Spencer's saw like-for-like sales fall across its major divisions in the first quarter, though total group sales were up. In the 13-weeks to June, UK like for like sales fell 1.4%, General Merchandise slipped 2.4% and Food was down 0.5%.
Read moreJohn Wood remains in line
1st Jul 2009 07:20
Energy services provider John Wood Group said performance in the year to date remains in line with expectations. The group said although the oil price has strengthened over recent weeks, market conditions remain broadly similar to those outlined in May. "We believe the longer term market fundame
Read moreSector movers: Miners hit hardest
15th Jun 2009 11:01
It's a sea of red Monday as Mining heads a widespread sell-off. Lonmin has lost over 7% after shutting down its Number One furnace. The platinum miner's initial estimate is that a full repair could take around 30 days Rivals joined the retreat as metal prices tanked. Rio Tinto, Xstrata, Eurasian N
Read moreSunday tips round-up: Wood, Tesco, Air Partner
7th Jun 2009 13:52
Oil services group Wood raised its 2008 dividend - and current consensus forecasts indicate a further uplift is likely in 2009. The shares are yielding just 1.9%, so there is still plenty of scope for the company to increase its payout, as the dividend is more than 4 times covered by earnings. The
Read moreLondon close: Footsie takes a dive
13th May 2009 16:31
Footsie gave up its recent indecisive spell to dive into the red after an unexpected fall in US retail sales tempered recent talk that we are on the cusp of an economic recovery. Financial shares were the worst performers in London, not helped by disappointing trading updates from Legal & General a
Read moreLondon afternoon: US retail sales data jolts London
13th May 2009 14:28
Poor US retail sales figures prompted a quickening in the decline of blue-chip prices in London. US retail sales had been expected to rise in April but unexpectedly fell, bringing in to doubt hopes that the US economy is on the mend. Financial shares are the worst performers in London, not helped b
Read moreLondon midday: Miners and properties slide
13th May 2009 12:04
After a moderately firmer start, London's leading shares quickly turned lower in the morning session, with mining shares and properties weighing heavily on the FTSE 100 index. Property giant Land Securities saw its net asset value slashed by two-thirds in 2008 in what it described as 'unprecedented
Read moreWood Group trades as expected
13th May 2009 08:02
Oil services company Wood Group has traded in line with expectations in the year to date, with market conditions similar to those at the start of 2009. Chairman Ian Wood will tell shareholders at today's AGM that exploration and production (E&P) is expected to fall by between 10% and 15% in 2009,
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