London midday: Stocks amble higher
18th Dec 2009 12:10
Leading shares are mixed with a slightly firmer bias, helped by the strength of resource stocks. Gold miner Randgold Resources leads the mining sector higher as the gold price stabilises after falling heavily overnight. Elsewhere in the sector BHP Billiton, Kazakhmys and Antofagasta catch the eye.
Read moreLondon open: Footsie shrugs off bank weakness
18th Dec 2009 08:45
London's blue chips have opened higher despite another weak showing from the banks after harsher than expected recommendations from the Basel Committee yesterday. Shares in all four fell heavily yesterday on the news and Barclays, Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered are all lower
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early gains expected
18th Dec 2009 07:34
The top share index is expected to post modest gains in early dealings. Port operator Forth Ports said it expects full year results to be at the lower end of expectations due to weak trading in its Nordic recycling division and in its container services operations at Tilbury port near London. But
Read moreKeller says full year on track
18th Dec 2009 07:02
Ground engineering specialist Keller confirmed that it is on track to meet full year expectations. In its Interim Management Statement on 12 November, the group reported that both revenues and margins since the first half had been below the comparable period in 2008. 'Since then, overall market
Read moreFriday preview: Carnival, Keller, Public Sector Finances
17th Dec 2009 15:49
Having sailed through choppy conditions for much of the year cruise operator Carnival said third quarter revenues were more buoyant than anticipated, and responded by lifting full year 2009 earnings guidance to between $2.16 and $2.20 a share from a previous range of $2.00 to $2.10. Broker Charles
Read moreKeller sees FY in line, weak markets
12th Nov 2009 07:30
Engineering firm Keller said expectations for its full year remain unchanged and within the current range of market expectations. "Most of the geographical markets in which we operate remain challenging," the group warned in Thursday's trading update. "Whilst in most of our regions public infrastr
Read moreDiscount shares for new Finsbury Food boss
22nd Oct 2009 15:44
Cakes and speciality breads maker Finsbury Food's new chief executive has been issued 1.04m shares at 19.25p a share as part of his remuneration package. He received a further 201,000 shares for nothing, taking his total stake to 1.25m shares. At the current share price of 28.5p, Duffy's additional
Read moreLondon close: Best finish in 12½ months
12th Oct 2009 16:48
UK share prices finished at their best levels in over a year Monday and, despite a few sellers appearing late on, the FTSE 100 ended the session above 5,200. Insurers Old Mutual, Standard Life and Legal & General were in demand all day. Rising stock markets are always good news for their investment
Read moreLondon afternoon: Banks' balance sheet issues resurface
12th Oct 2009 14:23
The Footsie crashed through the 5200 barrier this morning to rise to a one-year high and although prices came off the top over the lunch-time session, the vast majority of blue-chips are still in the blue. The upward trend in global equity markets is good news for the insurers and their investment
Read moreKeller acquires Singapore foundation group
12th Oct 2009 07:45
Engineer Keller has agreed to acquire Singapore-based foundation contractor Resource Holdings for £30.6m. Keller said the acquisition would help it grow its heavy foundations capability in South East Asia. It said that Resource is unlikely in the short- to medium-term to be remain at previous level
Read moreKeller ups divi but profits fall
31st Jul 2009 08:15
Engineer Keller Group reported a drop in half year profits but upped its interim dividend by 5% and said full-year expectations remain unchanged. Pre-tax profits from continuing operations fell to £41m in the six month ended 30 June from £54.2m last time, while revenue dropped 3% to £552.6m. The i
Read moreLondon close: Late rally not enough
25th Jun 2009 17:01
A late rally by UK equities was not enough to prevent the blue-chip index closing in negative territory, largely as a result of weak miners, which were weighted down by softer metals prices. Lonmin, Vedanta, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton were all stuck in the red. Elsewhere in the sector, Anglo Americ
Read moreLondon afternoon: Banks and miners retreat
25th Jun 2009 14:27
Leading equities drift lower in the afternoon session, led by banks and miners. Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered eases back, despite enjoying record income and operating profit in the first five months of this year. Some of this success has been offset by weakness in consumer banking, however,
Read moreLondon midday: Prices drift lower
25th Jun 2009 12:13
Shares continue to drift lower despite expectations of a firm start on Wall Street. Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered eases back, despite enjoying record income and operating profit in the first five months of this year. Some of this success has been offset by weakness in consumer banking, howe
Read moreSector movers: Construction stocks move ahead
25th Jun 2009 11:13
Support services group Northern Bear is one of the companies leading the construction and materials sector higher, but with three other companies reporting, the sector is mixed. Northern Bear, up 11%, posted a rise in profits despite tough trading, helped by its exposure to specialist businesses su
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