London pre-open: Shares to bounce back

9th Apr 2010 07:40

Shares are expected to advance after slipping back yesterday.Mining giant Rio Tinto said it is in talks with several of its iron ore customers about moving to quarterly pricing of iron ore contracts. The move comes after rivals BHP Billiton and Vale switched to shorter term pricing arrangements.Recruitment firm Michael Page said gross first quarter profit is up 2.9% on the same period last year and 8% higher on the last quarter of 2009. "The improvement in our performance has been driven largely by greater permanent recruitment activity, as confidence levels have increased leading to a higher rate of job churn, and a stronger than expected performance in the UK," said Michael Page chief executive Steve Ingham.D1 Oils said it continues to be 'actively engaged' in a series of discussions with third parties regarding the provision of material levels of equity finance which may include the possibility of an offer being made for the biofuels group. However, the group cautioned that there can be no certainty that an offer will be made for the company or any equity financing will result.Construction group Galliford Try has won a contract worth up to £500m with Thames Water to upgrade water and waste water treatment facilities in the London region.