Broker snap: Easing comparatives for Dunelm
18th Feb 2011 10:20
Nomura maintains positive about bedding and curtains retailer Dunelm, saying that while the first half saw higher costs, investors should expect a better top line from the fourth quarter onwards. A 14.3% rise in costs limited operating profit to just 5.4% growth, as the group experienced £0.5m of w
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips close flat
17th Feb 2011 16:51
Footsie closed the day a shade higher having traded in a very narrow range all day as both buyers and sellers seem preoccupied with other things. Life insurance consolidator Resolution closed as top performer saying it is unlikely to make any further acquisitions this year. Instead, it will focus
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Lamprell stumbles after contract disappointment
17th Feb 2011 15:54
Lamprell is the hardest faller after two of its contract customers have allowed options on wind turbine installation vessels to lapse. Curtains and bedding retailer Dunelm is not far behind following a fall in half year like-for-like sales after a tough run up to Christmas. In a brief statement is
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie stumbles after US CPI data
17th Feb 2011 14:43
Footsie fell back over the lunchtime session with sentiment taking a knock from a bigger than expected increase in US consumer prices. The US Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in January, as it did in December, on the back of higher fuel and food prices. Economists had pencilled in a 0.3% rise. On th
Read moreDunelm lfl sales fall
17th Feb 2011 07:22
Curtains to bedding retailer Dunelm posted an increase in half year revenue but like for like sales fell after a tough run up to Christmas. The out of town homewares retailer warned it, "faces uncertain consumer demand and rising costs". Like for like sales grew in the first quarter of the financ
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Arm, Computacenter, RSA...
12th Jan 2011 06:59
The roster of ARM-based devices is, quite simply, astonishing. Name a fancy gizmo and chances are that it draws upon ARM's know-how in one way or another. iPads, iPhones, the Blackberry Bold - all feature ARM technology. The other day, Microsoft said it was going to launch a new version of Windows
Read moreLondon close: Strong gains for FTSE 100
11th Jan 2011 16:51
Share prices edged back from earlier highs ahead of the close, but still finished with good gains as fears over European sovereign debt contagion recede in the wake of a show of support for eurozone bond issues from Japan. It has been a good day for banks, with Societe Generale issuing a bullish no
Read moreSector movers: CSR boosts tech stocks higher
11th Jan 2011 16:02
Shares in bluetooth chip specialist CSR rose on Tuesday sending the technology hardware and equipment sector higher. The group said it has agreed to pay $67.5m to settle with US firm Broadcom in the patent infringement case brought against its subsidiary SiRF. Terms of the settlement will see CSR
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: CSR tops the list
11th Jan 2011 15:52
Bluetooth chip specialist CSR has agreed to pay $67.5m to settle with US firm Broadcom in the patent infringement case brought against its subsidiary SiRF. Terms of the settlement will see CSR pay an initial sum of $5m plus $12.5m for the next five years. CSR expects ongoing legal fees will be red
Read moreLondon afternoon: Good day for bankers
11th Jan 2011 14:11
Share prices levelled out over the lunch time session, but investors remain in good heart as fears over European sovereign debt contagion recede in the wake of a show of support for eurozone bond issues from Japan. It has been a good day for banks, with Societe Generale issuing a bullish note on th
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 adds more gains
11th Jan 2011 12:07
The top share index is now well clear of the 6,000 point mark after building on earlier gains. Banks move higher after the government back-tracked on the question of bonuses. As a trade-off for no additional taxes on the expected £7bn of UK bonuses this year, the banks are in talks to raise their b
Read moreLondon open: Footsie back above 6,000
11th Jan 2011 08:50
UK blue chips have raced away this morning led by the banks as the government caved in on the issue of bonuses. As a trade-off for no additional taxes on the expected £7bn of UK bonuses this year, the banks are in talks to raise their business lending by 10%, or £20bn, to £200bn. Shares in Barclays
Read moreLondon pre-open: Heading higher
11th Jan 2011 07:39
UK blue chips are set for a strong start Tuesday despite weakness in the US overnight and a mixed performance in Asia. Futures prices indicate a gain of more than 30 points for the FTSE 100, taking the leading index back towards 6,000. Marks and Spencer saw group sales rise 4% in the final quarter
Read moreDunelm has difficult Christmas
11th Jan 2011 07:03
Bedding and home furnishings retailer Dunelm had a tough time during the run up to Christmas, damaging sales and profits, while rising costs and consumer demand remain a concern. Like for like sales for the 26 weeks to 1 January slipped 1.2% as a 4.2% tumble in the second quarter cancelled growth o
Read moreTuesday preview: Marks & Spencer, Dunelm, BRC sales monitor
10th Jan 2011 15:51
Christmas trading statements from the retailers have been trickling in and Tuesday sees High Street bellwether Marks & Spencer (M&S) take its turn on the podium to update on trading in the final three months of 2010. Panmure Gordon is forecasting that M&S will achieve a year on year like for like (
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