London pre-open: Best foot forward for Footsie

14th Apr 2010 07:37

Better than expected figures from computer chip maker Intel after the bell yesterday in New York have allayed fears that the economic revival may be running out of steam, and has put investors in good heart in the UK.Traders expect the FTSE 100 to open around 24 points higher at 5,785.Once again announcements from heavy hitters are thin on the ground, leaving the spotlight open to some second liners.JD Sports Fashion beat the sky-high expectations of most City analysts when it published full-year figures. Total revenue increased by £98.9m to £769.8m in the 52 weeks ended 30 January, while like for like revenue rose by 2.5%. Profit before tax and exceptional items was up 26% to £67.4m versus expectations for pre-tax profit of £63.28m on sales of £734.6m.Engineering contractor WS Atkins said it has continued to perform strongly and expects full-year results to be slightly ahead of current market forecasts. With net funds at 31 March 2010 expected to be around £300m, the financial position of the group remains strong, it added.Outsourcing giant Capita has appointed Dr. Nigel Wilson, chief financial officer of insurer Legal & General to its board as a non-executive director. Wilson will be the senior non-exec on the Capita board and will sit on the company's Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees.Housebuilding and construction group Galliford Try is hooking up again with affordable housing provider the Affinity Sutton Group to buy and develop two sites in the south east of England. The pair plan to build 206 homes on sites in Haywards Heath and Orpington.HomeServe, the home maintenance specialist, is extending its US reach with the acquisition of National Grid Energy Services' service contract business.