London pre-open: Firmer start expected
7th Sep 2009 07:51
London is set to open higher, though trading volumes are expected to be low with the US market closed for Labor Day today. Traders expect the FTSE 100 will open around 39 points higher at 4,891. Chocolate maker Cadbury has rejected a merger proposal from the US food giant Kraft. Kraft, whose brands
Read moreWhitbread soars on bullish update
7th Sep 2009 07:03
Shares in leisure group Whitbread leapt more than 15% and it forecast profits this year would be at the higher end of forecasts. The hotel, pubs and coffee chain group also announced the appointment of former Boots' chief executive Richard Baker to the board as a non-executive director. Whitbread
Read moreParkmead men buy 10m shares each
22nd Jun 2009 16:57
There's been heavy buying of investment company Parkmead recently, with bosses keen to snap up stock near historic lows. Non-executive chairman Colin Goodall and non-executive director Thomas Cross both bought 10m shares at 1p each. The £100,000 purchases take former BP man Goodall's stake to 12m
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Tesco, Whitbread, Halma
17th Jun 2009 06:46
First-quarter results from supermarket group Tesco were very good but the shares are sitting at a prospective February 2010 multiple of just 12.2 times, a discount to its rivals. This discount is unwarranted. Shares in Tesco were first recommended at 329¾p in December. They remain a buy and are sti
Read moreLondon close: Footsie clings to gains
16th Jun 2009 16:39
London's benchmark index finished just above flat, reversing earlier gains, as Wall Street started in a lacklustre fashion. Tesco's first quarter trading update was well received. Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth came in at the top end of expectations, helped by a resumption of growth in non-food
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares crawl higher
16th Jun 2009 14:19
London's blue-chip index edged higher over the lunch-time session, helped by expectations of a moderately firmer start on Wall Street. Tesco's first quarter trading update has been well received. Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth came in at the top end of expectations, helped by a resumption of gro
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds leads rally
16th Jun 2009 12:04
Footsie is making a valiant attempt to claw back yesterday's losses but its progress is being impeded by a weak mining sector. Tesco's first quarter trading update has been well received. Like-for-like (LFL) sales growth came in at the top end of expectations, helped by a resumption of growth in n
Read moreLondon open: Steady start for Footsie
16th Jun 2009 08:39
London's blue have made modest progress despite a tough day on Wall St yesterday with good figures from Tesco giving a boost. Property group's British Land and Hammerson are the best performers this morning, but it is Tesco's figures that catch the eye. Tesco's like-for-like sales growth came in a
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start in store
16th Jun 2009 07:41
The UK market is set to start little changed Tuesday as most of last night's gloom on Wall Street had already been felt by the time London closed yesterday. There's bound to be heavy focus on Britain's biggest supermarket chain Tesco following its latest sales update. UK like-for-like (LFL) sales
Read moreWhitbread hit by Premier Inns slowdown
16th Jun 2009 07:09
Recession bit hard into Whitbread's latest quarter with sales at Premier Inns tumbling as businessmen stopped travelling. Like-for-like sales in the thirteen weeks to 28 May fell by 2.7% as Premier struggled. Total sales rose by 2.5%. Revenues at the hotel chain slumped by 7.9%, and were down by
Read moreTuesday preview: Tesco, Whitbread, Halma
15th Jun 2009 17:30
The UK's leading retailer, Tesco will release first quarter sales figures on Tuesday that will dwarf those of its rivals. As ever, the market will focus on like-for-like (LFL) sales, and these are expected to pale in comparison with sector up-and-comer Wm. Morrison, which earlier this month announce
Read moreWeek Ahead: Tesco, Halma, Whitbread
12th Jun 2009 11:44
Supermarket titan Tesco gives a trading update on Tuesday and the expectations are for the market leader to again show like-for-like (LFL) sales growth that pales in comparison with sector up-and-comer Wm. Morrison, which last week announced a 9.2% year-on-year increase in LFL sales in the 13 weeks
Read moreLondon close: Good gains for FTSE 100
5th Jun 2009 17:00
Footsie finished with good gains Friday as buoyancy in the mining sector and economic optimism from the US cancelled out the effects of continued political uncertainty here. Mining stocks were at the forefront of the advance on the back of strong metal prices and excitement at closer ties between h
Read moreLondon afternoon: Wall Street boost for London
5th Jun 2009 14:22
London's rise has been given extra impetus by expectations of a strong opening on Wall Street in the wake of better than expected US first-time jobless claims. Mining stocks continue to be at the forefront of the advance on the back of strong metal prices and excitement at closer ties between heavy
Read moreLondon midday: Upward trend continues
5th Jun 2009 12:11
Blue-chips shares continue to push ahead, led by minders in the wake of the decision by Rio Tinto to change tack with regards to its fund raising plans. Rio Tinto has capitulated to shareholder pressure and ditched its controversial $19.5bn refinancing deal with state-owned Chinese aluminium produc
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