London afternoon: Shire provides some cheer
30th Oct 2009 14:19
Footsie dipped into the red over the lunch-time session, as Wall Street opened lower. Metal prices are in retreat, prompting investors to bail out of mining stocks, including precious metals miners such as Fresnillo and Randgold. Among base metal miners, Kazakhmys and Lonmin are the worst perform
Read moreSector movers: Media stocks in demand
30th Oct 2009 12:26
Media stocks are in demand following announcements from advertising group WPP and the directories company Yell. WPP said it expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and said overall conditions are "less worse". Yellow Pages owner Yell, which yesterday extended the dead
Read moreLondon midday: Retailers lifted by consumer confidence
30th Oct 2009 12:12
Insurers and miners are hampering the Footsie's progress today, but outside of these two sectors most blue-chips are on an upward trajectory, helped by some decent news on the economy. Economic data released Friday shows that UK consumers are more confident now than at any time in the last 21 mont
Read moreLondon open: Upbeat start for Footsie
30th Oct 2009 08:18
London's blue chips have opened higher thanks to upbeat economic and company news out this morning. Economic data released Friday shows that UK consumers are more confident now than at any time in the last 21 months. The GfK/NOP consumer confidence index improved to -13 in October, the best number
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early gains expected
30th Oct 2009 07:26
Footsie is expected to top up yesterday's gains in early dealings, following a big rise on Wall Street last night. Advertising giant WPP expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and said overall conditions are "less worse". In the third quarter reported revenues rose b
Read moreWPP sees higher profits in second half
30th Oct 2009 07:01
Advertising giant WPP expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and said overall conditions are "less worse". In the third quarter reported revenues rose by 16.7% to £2.007bn. Revenues, in constant currencies, were up 6.7%, reflecting both the acquisition of Taylor Nels
Read moreBroker tips: WPP, G4S, 888
27th Aug 2009 12:57
The share price of WPP recovered a little on Thursday from the battering it received following Wednesday's sub-par results, but Citigroup reckons shareholders in the advertising giant should brace themselves for more pain. Echoing the view expressed earlier this week by Jefferies International, Cit
Read moreBroker snap: Take profits at WPP, Citi says
27th Aug 2009 12:56
The share price of WPP recovered a little on Thursday from the battering it received following Wednesday's sub-par results, but Citigroup reckons shareholders in the advertising giant should brace themselves for more pain. Echoing the view expressed earlier this week by Jefferies International, Cit
Read moreLondon close: Footsie runs out of steam
26th Aug 2009 16:27
Wall Street's inability to hold onto new home sale-inspired gains was the final nail in the coffin for London, bringing to an end a six-day winning streak. Much of the blame lay with the UK-listed miners who hogged the list of largest losers on weaker metal prices. Antofagasta was among the worst
Read moreLondon afternoon: RBS buoyed by pension moves
26th Aug 2009 14:32
Equity prices are mixed with a lower bias. The Footsie continues to drift lower, weighed down by underperforming resource stocks. Pre-tax profits plunged at Tullow in the first half of the year as the firm felt the pinch of the slide in oil prices. The oil company posted a pre-tax profit of £34.
Read moreLondon midday: Resource stocks a drag
26th Aug 2009 12:09
Given that resource stocks are in the dog-house the Footsie is doing well to be only moderately in the red on a day of mixed results for blue chips. Pre-tax profits plunged at Tullow in the first half of the year as the firm felt the pinch of the slide in oil prices. The oil company posted a pre-t
Read moreUpdate: WPP slips as profits nearly halve
26th Aug 2009 11:17
Advertising giant WPP's half-year profits nearly halved as the firm continued to feel the impact of the global economic contraction, which intensified in the second quarter. Pre-tax profit for the six months fell 47% to £179.3m, which the group said was caused by the "severe" recession and higher
Read moreLondon open: Lower start for FTSE 100
26th Aug 2009 08:20
Footsie is slightly lower in early dealings, with the advertising group WPP the leading share index's heaviest faller after reporting interim results. WPP said half-year results continue to reflect the impact of the global economic contraction, which continued to intensify in the second quarter, th
Read moreLondon pre-open: Equities held in check by US budget fears
26th Aug 2009 07:45
London seems unsure which way to turn on Wednesday morning despite a strong showing by the US market yesterday and Asian markets overnight. Enthusiasm for equities has been dampened by a White House report predicting a federal budget deficit of $9 trillion over the next decade, $2 trillion more tha
Read moreTough conditions drag WPP profits down 47%
26th Aug 2009 07:03
Advertising giant WPP said half-year results continue to reflect the impact of the global economic contraction, which continued to intensify in the second quarter, though results for July did indicate a 'less-worse' picture. Pre-tax profit for the six months fell 47% to £179.3m, reflecting the impa
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