Friday tips round-up: Go-Ahead, Halma, Marston's
4th Dec 2009 06:40
Bus and train group Go-Ahead is retaining some legacy contracts at Heathrow that are scheduled to run until 2011, and it is holding on to the Meteor car parking business, but the focus is firmly on public transport. Cue the acquisition of Plymouth CityBus, which has a fleet of more than 170 buses
Read moreLondon close: Miners eclipse banks to send index lower
3rd Dec 2009 16:35
London closed on a low note as a good day for bank shares was offset by dips for the miners and oil groups. Banking shares marched forward despite an assertion by influential US bank Goldman Sachs that commodity prices are set to rise in 2010. Goldman Sachs also seems to be out of step in its view
Read moreBroker tips: Capita, Halma, FuturaGene
3rd Dec 2009 12:55
Broker KBC Peel Hunt has initiated coverage of outsourcing giant Capita with a 'buy' recommendation and a price target of 800p, stating that 'there are more opportunities than ever facing the business.' The broker reckons the trend towards outsourcing in both the private and public sectors will con
Read moreBroker snap: Halma gaining momentum
3rd Dec 2009 12:54
Results from engineering conglomerate Halma were towards the top end of expectations, Panmure Gordon reckons, reinforcing its conviction that the shares are worth buying. The group indicated it expects margins to improve in the second half of its financial year. 'Added to better than expected cash
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Google property plans spook Rightmove
3rd Dec 2009 12:36
Shares in Rightmove have been hit by a report that internet search giant Google is considering entering the UK property market. The Financial Times said Google, having launched a property website in Australia in August, aims to enter the UK market next year. Investors have raised a glass to improv
Read moreLondon midday: Shares lack direction
3rd Dec 2009 12:11
Banking shares are still marching forward but gains are countered by weakness among miners, despite an assertion by influential US bank Goldman Sachs that commodity prices are set to rise in 2010. Goldman Sachs also seems to be out of step in its view of banks today, having downgraded the sector to
Read moreLondon open: Banks lead risers, RBS down
3rd Dec 2009 08:21
Barclays and Lloyds are leading London's top stocks higher in early dealings on Thursday, though Royal Bank of Scotland is an exception. RBS has dropped on news that that the bank's board is threatening to resign en masse if Alistair Darling will veto the group's £1.5bn bonus pot. On the positive
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early strength expected
3rd Dec 2009 07:35
London looks set for a push higher in early deals as metal prices continue to rise and with US futures pointing to a stronger start on Wall Street later. Indications are that the FTSE 100 will add about 30 points this morning, adding to yesterday's 15-point gain. In company news, Xstrata has appro
Read moreHalma says order intake ahead of revenue
3rd Dec 2009 07:01
Engineering conglomerate Halma reported slightly lower half year profits but said order intake was lightly ahead of revenue. Pre-tax profit from continuing operations was down 2% at £38.1m in the 27 weeks to 3 October from £39m after incurring £1.7m of restructuring costs. Statutory pre-tax profit
Read moreThursday preview: Kingfisher, Halma, Marstons
2nd Dec 2009 17:57
DIY group Kingfisher, owner of the B&Q brand, gives an update on Thursday on third quarter sales. The situation at the half-year stage was not as bad as might have been expected given the moribund state of the UK housing market. Indeed, the company may have benefited from the trend for householder
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips surge continues
30th Jul 2009 16:42
Corporate newsflow and resurgent miners sent Footsie to within a whisker of its highest close this year. Investors piled into blue chips after a string of household names reported earnings this morning. Triple-digit gains for the Dow added to the upward momentum in the afternoon. Telecoms giant
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners push Footsie higher
30th Jul 2009 14:48
Corporate news-flow and resurgent miners are driving Footsie higher today, with the benchmark index adding to its gains over the lunch-time session. Telecoms giant BT racked up a double-digit percentage gain in the morning after quarterly figures that were not as bad as feared. EBITDA (earnings b
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 4600
30th Jul 2009 11:54
Footsie has broken through the 4,600 barrier, helped by well received results from index heavyweight BT and strong demand for miners. Telecoms giant BT racked up a double-digit percentage gain in the morning after quarterly figures that were not as bad as feared. EBITDA (earnings before interest, t
Read moreHalma trading in line
30th Jul 2009 08:58
Health and sensor group Halma said trading during the first quarter of the financial year has been in line with expectations. Weekly revenues are averaging 3% below prior year levels but order intake has been slightly ahead of revenue in absolute terms. The group said Health and Analysis is showin
Read moreBooker directors cash in
8th Jul 2009 16:52
A number of directors at Booker have sold millions worth of shares the same day as the cash and carry group said profits and net debt remain in line with expectations. Finance director Jonathan Prentis and operating director Bryn Satherley each made £2.63m, selling 7.5m shares at 35.00p. Commercia
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