London close: Footsie falls as Greece and US fuel sell-off
2nd Jun 2011 16:55
Despite trading sideways for most of the day after a relatively sharp fall early on, the Footsie took another dive in late afternoon to finish over 1.3% lower. The mood was uneasy on Thursday as a result of sovereign debt fears in Europe and worrying news from the US, amid a host of underwhelming re
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Johnson Matthey's results disappoint
2nd Jun 2011 15:45
Full-year profits from speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey came in ahead of market expectations with good performances in all parts of the business. However, investors seemed underwhelmed as the stock sunk on the blue chip index on Thursday. The miners are falling lower, as metals prices dec
Read moreMarketing is defying the doomsters, says WPP
2nd Jun 2011 13:52
Reports of the demise of the marketing industry are woefully premature, judging by a new update from the world's biggest company in the sector WPP, which saw a sharp rise in revenues in the first four months of 2011. The US continues to see strong growth and the UK is doing well in spite of the eco
Read moreBroker snap: WPP makes 'bold move' by upping guidance
3rd May 2011 12:15
Nomura raises its earnings forecasts for advertising firm WPP after last week's "bold move" to hike its full year guidance. "Given all the uncertainties about input prices, sovereign debt, austerity, the US deficit, the political changes in the Middle East and the events in Japan, choosing the firs
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 moreFTSE 100 movers: Shire and Astra take a hit
28th Apr 2011 15:25
Drug groups Shire and AstraZeneca are lower are reporting their first quarter results. While Shire posted a strong rise in revenues and profits in the period, sentiment seems to have been hit by sector peer Astra which cited US healthcare reform measures and generic competition as the reasons why it
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 moreLondon open: Stocks edge higher
28th Apr 2011 08:31
Shares have got off to a firmer start as the stream of company updates continues. 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 expansion plans. Revenues in the year to 3
Read moreWPP ups full-year guidance
28th Apr 2011 08:00
Despite tougher comparatives in the second half, advertising giant WPP has upped its guidance for the full year after a strong first quarter which saw revenues rise by 7%. Reported revenue jumped to £2.22bn in the first three months of the 2011, with North America, its largest market, growing by 7.
Read moreWPP snaps up German marketing firm
19th Apr 2011 08:53
Advertising giant WPP has expanded in one of its largest markets, after agreeing to acquire German marketing and communication services firm Commarco for an undisclosed sum. The Hamburg-based group - which made revenues of €132.9m last year - is the parent company of more than 25 agency brands, inc
Read moreLondon close: London limps lower on quiet day
5th Apr 2011 16:42
London's leading share index finished in the red on a sluggish, but things could liven up later in the week following the release of the minutes from the last US Federal Reserve meeting tonight. Among the fallers in the FTSE 100 was British Airways owner IAG, which announced that high oil prices ha
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: M&A speculation lifts TUI Travel
5th Apr 2011 16:28
M&A chatter is lifting TUI Travel, the owner of Thomson and other holiday brands. Its parent group, Germany's TUI AG, is said to be considering selling its stake in the shipping group Hapag-Lloyd. Advertising giant WPP is buying a minority stake in Canadian firm Vice Holdings, a global youth media
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks still sleepwalking
5th Apr 2011 14:16
London is still in a somnambulant mood on a day that is light on big company news, with Footsie still in the red despite a moderate revival over the lunch time session. Music and film retailer HMV continues to struggle against tough conditions on the high street and competition from supermarkets an
Read moreLondon midday: Shares in wait-and-see mode
5th Apr 2011 12:04
Shares are still subdued as investors look ahead to a stream of economic news beginning tonight. There has been some M&A to stir up excitement though. The US Federal Reserve is due tonight to publish the minutes from the most recent meeting of its rate-setting committee while later in the week the
Read moreLondon open: Shares unchanged ahead of economic announcements
5th Apr 2011 08:24
Traders are sitting on their hands amid a shortage of big company news and ahead of some important economic announcements. The US Federal Reserve is due tonight to publish the minutes from the most recent meeting of its rate-setting committee while later in the week the Bank of England and the Euro
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