London close: FTSE 100 falls short despite recovery
31st Jan 2011 16:41
The FTSE 100 struggled all day to drag itself into the blue after an early slide, but remained slightly in negative territory at the close of trading. Travel companies were still friendless as investors fretted about civil unrest in the popular holiday destination of Egypt. Airline IAG, the former
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Greene King higher after update
31st Jan 2011 15:24
Brewer and pub owner Greene King is topping the risers list after it saw healthy trading over the past eight weeks despite the poor weather with all of its divisions in-line or improving from the half-year. Financial services firm Matrix has kept its 'buy' rating on Greene King. SThree also report
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks back on an even keel
31st Jan 2011 14:46
Footsie is more or less back to square one after a lunchtime trading session which saw US oil giant Exxon announce better than expected fourth quarter figures. Travel companies are still friendless as investors fret about civil unrest in the popular holiday destination of Egypt. Airline IAG, the f
Read moreBroker tips: Carillion, Greene King, SThree
31st Jan 2011 12:54
An update from Carillion has provided Panmure Gordon with additional confidence in its earnings forecasts, after the contracting firm demonstrated positive contract momentum and made a start to the current year that gives cause for optimism. The construction and support services specialist announce
Read moreLondon midday: Rally falters as Egypt casts shadow
31st Jan 2011 12:17
The FTSE 100 has given up an attempt to haul itself into the blue and remains firmly in negative territory. The Egypt crisis is still casting a shadow, with the credit rating agency Moody's downgrade of the North African country adding to worries. Travel companies are bearing the brunt of the sell
Read moreBroker snap: Impressive contract wins at Carillion
31st Jan 2011 10:39
An update from Carillion has provided Panmure Gordon with additional confidence in its earnings forecasts, after the contracting firm demonstrated positive contract momentum and made a start to the current year that gives cause for optimism. The construction and support services specialist announce
Read moreLondon open: Egypt concerns unsettle blue chips
31st Jan 2011 08:54
Asian markets overnight were rattled by the weekend scenes of civil unrest in Egypt and this has put London's blue chips under pressure early on. Travel companies are bearing the brunt of the selling, Airline IAG, the former British Airways, TUI Travel and Intercontinental Hotels have all run into
Read moreLondon pre-open: Egypt casts a shadow
31st Jan 2011 07:38
Asian markets overnight were rattled by the week-end's scenes of civil unrest in Egypt, and the sense of unease has filtered through to London, where stocks are set to open lower. City traders expect the blue-chip index to open around 25 points lower. Brewer and pub owner Greene King saw healthy
Read moreCarillion's government deal won't harm guidance
31st Jan 2011 07:04
Carillion has won contracts worth around £350m this year and the contractor and support services firm has reached agreement with the UK government about how best to help it save money. Talks with coalition politicians have led to a Memorandum of Understanding being signed, identifying how Carillion
Read moreFriday tips round-up: DS Smith, Xstrata, HMV...
10th Dec 2010 06:44
As a low-growth, low-margin stock, packaging group DS Smith had previously been bought for its high yield; after their sharp rise since halfway through last year, the shares now return a little more than 2%. They are on about 13 times this year's earnings, a premium rating for the stock, but susta
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Stagecoach, Game, Hochschild
9th Dec 2010 06:38
While bus and rail group Stagecoach shares have had their ups and downs recently, the trend has been positive and after a spending review-related wobble they are firmly back on track. While there's an argument for taking profits, the Independent thinks that those who hang on in there will be rewar
Read moreLondon close: Footsie slips back on sluggish day
8th Dec 2010 16:56
Shares struggled to snap out of their earlier sluggishness all day, closing just a few points in the red. Bid-related activity was the main source of excitement. Medical devices group Smith & Nephew was swept more than 9% higher by talk of a possible acquisition. US private equity firms are though
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Micro Focus rises as profit surges
8th Dec 2010 15:35
Business software maker Micro Focus bucked the downward trend to lead the risers after reporting a sharp increase in half year profit saying expectations for the full year remain unchanged. The group, which provides software solutions to manage and update existing applications for clients such as
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie loses grip
8th Dec 2010 15:19
The 5,800 level is under pressure as a weak start on Wall Street begins to drag London back into negative territory. Insurers Prudential, Aviva and Resolution are doing their best to keep the market's head above water, but losses in the mining sector - Rio Tinto, Randgold and Anglo American have fa
Read moreLondon midday: Retail stocks take centre stage
8th Dec 2010 12:08
Footsie is in sluggish mode today although there is some excitement among retail-related stocks. Figures from the British Retail Council show shop price inflation fell for the first time in five months in November as nervous retailers slashed prices to make sure shoppers splash out in the run-up to
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