FTSE 250 movers: Citi builds up Redrow

16th Dec 2009 11:09

Redrow is leading the risers in the FTSE 250 after broker Citigroup raised its rating on the housebuilder to 'buy'. The broker thinks underlying sectors in the sector augur well for the future. Redrow's peer Barratt also upgraded to 'buy' is another strong riser. Drax is powering ahead. The power

Read more

Galliford Try chief exec builds up stake

11th Dec 2009 16:37

Greg Fitzgerald, chief executive of Galliford Try, has lifted his stake in the construction group. He took 13,490 shares at 296.5p a time, paying a total of about £40,000, and now has 585,008. Shares in the company have jumped by about 40% in the past year. Last week it announced its acquisitio

Read more

FTSE 250 movers: Berkeley falls back

4th Dec 2009 13:36

Berkeley is the heaviest faller after fewer sales and lower prices sent profits at the London and south-east focused housebuilder tumbling in the latest six months. Housebuilder Bellway slips even after saying ales volumes for the first six months to 31 January 2010 will be 10% better than the same

Read more

London Stock Exchange chairman buys despite technical glitch

26th Nov 2009 16:38

London Stock Exchange chairman Chris Gibson-Smith decided to add to his stake on the day that the London Stock Exchange's trading facilities were unavailable for more than three hours. He spent just under £100,000 on shares at 769.85p a share. That takes his stake in the London Stock Exchange to 63,

Read more

FTSE 250 movers: ITV up as Norman appointment brightens picture

18th Nov 2009 13:14

Shares in ITV are higher after the troubled broadcaster confirmed the appointment of former Tory MP Archie Norman as its new non-executive Chairman. He will take up the role in January 2010, when current executive chairman Michael Grade, will stand down and John Cresswell will become interim chief

Read more

London close: Four-day rally is over

17th Nov 2009 16:31

The leading index finished near its worst levels of the session as weaker banks and mining heavyweights brought a 4-day winning streak to an end. The dollar's bounce off Monday's 15-month low hurt metal prices. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said last night that the Fed will conduct policy i

Read more

London afternoon: Inflation concern rears its head

17th Nov 2009 14:10

A rise in UK inflation has raised the prospect of an end to the Bank of England's quantitative easing programme and added to an already downbeat mood in the equity market. UK inflation increased for the first time in eight months in October following a rise in oil prices and a stronger pound. The C

Read more

London midday: Footsie still stuck lower

17th Nov 2009 12:11

Footsie remains a few points in the red despite some gains on the back of company updates. Inter dealer-broker ICAP is up despite interim profits falling as it added that trading activity had picked up in September. Telephone giant Cable & Wireless is top of the pile on news it is to demerge into

Read more

London open: Dull start for Footsie

17th Nov 2009 08:38

London has followed the lead of Asian markets and opened lower despite an overnight gain of over 130 points for the Dow. Telephone giant Cable & Wireless is the best performer. It is to demerge into two separately listed companies by next March and will raise £200m through a convertible bond issue

Read more

London pre-open: London set to pause for breath

17th Nov 2009 07:42

London is expected to follow the lead of Asian markets and open lower this morning, despite a strong showing overnight by US stocks. Traders expect the FTSE 100 index will open down around 20 points from last night's close. Telephone giant Cable & Wireless is to demerge into two separately listed

Read more

Barratt expects prices to rise 8-10% this year

17th Nov 2009 07:24

Housebuilder Barratt has confirmed the improvement in the UK housing market and forecasts its prices will have risen by up to 10% over the year helped by a higher proportion of houses in its sales mix. "Consistent with the re-planning and build programme, a shift in product mix towards a higher pro

Read more

London close: Good as gold

16th Nov 2009 16:56

Footsie came close to breaching the 5400 barrier, helped by a positive start on Wall Street, but profit taking set in at the end of the session and gains were pared. Much of the blue-chip index's advance was down to mining stocks, which were in demand as metal prices continue to head north. Lonmi

Read more

London afternoon: Sainsbury slides on sales leak

16th Nov 2009 14:31

After getting off to a flying start, the FTSE 100 index has drifted sideways since the middle of the morning. A larger part of the blue-chip index's gain is down to mining stocks, which are in demand as metal prices continue to head north. Lonmin leads the sector higher despite reporting a full-y

Read more

FTSE 250 movers: Bellway and Barratt build gains

16th Nov 2009 12:12

Shares in housebuilders Bellway and Barratt climb after peer Persimmon said it has started to buy sizeable parcels of land again as sales have recovered to the point where it is fully sold this year, while orders for 2010 are up 50%. Persimmon itself fails to make it into the top 10 though. Among

Read more

London midday: Early gains consolidated

16th Nov 2009 12:11

Stock prices saw a modest amount of profit taking after the Footsie hit a 14-month high. Lonmin is leading the mining sector higher despite reporting a full-year loss. The South African platinum miner fell into the red in the year to September 30 as prices for the precious metal slumped in line wit

Read more