London open: Autonomy bucks trend as Footsie tumbles
19th Aug 2011 08:27
The Footsie tumbled over 1% in the opening minutes on Friday, despite a surge by software giant Autonomy. However, Autonomy was just one of the four lone stocks making gains, as the blue chip index looks set to fall below the 5,000 mark. Shares in Autonomy rocketed by over 75% in early trading afte
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Savills, Soco, Sage...
19th Aug 2011 06:47
The last time we looked at the Savills, we opted to buy, reasoning that its international reach, coupled with exposure to the resilient upper end of the UK market, gave it an edge. Yesterday's half-yearly results confirmed our confidence. The group said revenues in the six months to the end of June
Read moreLondon close: Financials drag Footsie lower
17th Aug 2011 16:46
Following a steep decline early on, the blue chip index staged a partial recovery on the back of a positive start on Wall Street. Nevertheless, the Footsie still finished in the red, as losses for financial stocks outweighed gains in the mining sector. Meanwhile, it was revealed today that all nine
Read moreSage confirms MYOB bid speculation
16th Aug 2011 15:03
Accountancy software firm Sage has confirmed that it is considering acquiring Australian peer MYOB. A report by Reuters earlier today said that Sage Group has placed a final bid for MYOB, adding that it could be sold for as much as US $1bn (£610m). "The Sage Group notes the press speculation regar
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slump after giving up rally
27th Jul 2011 16:49
Stocks finished deep in the red, giving up an earlier rally, after a poor showing on Wall Street. Energy supplier Scottish & Southern Energy suffered after going ex-dividend. Meanwhile, sector peer Centrica also fell, albeit by a lesser extent, after utilities firm British Gas (owned by Centrica)
Read moreSector movers: Software surges, electricals ease
27th Jul 2011 15:09
Software stocks are hot today following updates from big hitters Sage and Autonomy. Accountancy software titan Sage said it has continued to deliver good growth despite an uncertain economic backdrop, and full year results should be in line with the board's expectations. Data search software giant
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks still stuck lower
27th Jul 2011 12:03
The top share index nestles slightly in negative territory, perhaps waiting for US trading to start before striking into the blue. Energy supplier Scottish & Southern Energy is suffering after going ex-dividend. Meanwhile, sector peer Centrica also fell, albeit by a lesser extent, after utilities
Read moreLondon open: SSE leads the fallers in early trading
27th Jul 2011 08:31
The top share index saw a sharp decline in early trading, as the debt crisis in the US continues to weigh on market sentiment. Energy supplier Scottish & Southern Energy was the heavy faller, tumbling 4.85% after going ex dividend. Meanwhile, sector peer Centrica also fell lower, albeit by a les
Read moreLondon pre-open: US debt ceiling shadow looms
27th Jul 2011 07:40
The shadow of the US debt ceiling negotiations continues to loom over European markets, including London, where the Footsie is expected to open around 20 points lower. Cigarettes maker British American Tobacco saw interim adjusted diluted earnings per share improve by 10% to 96.1p from 87.1p the ye
Read moreSage trading in line
27th Jul 2011 07:06
Accountancy software titan Sage said it has continued to deliver good growth despite an uncertain economic backdrop, and full year results should be in line with the board's expectations. Cash generation remains strong, leading to a whittling away of debt; at the end of June, net debt stood at £67m
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Sage, Rightmove, BBA
5th May 2011 06:28
Sage makes software for small and medium-sized enterprises, allowing them to keep track of the books. Revenues fell by 5% the year before last and were pretty well flat last year, although they began to pick up in the second half. The shares are on almost 15 times' this year's earnings, hard to just
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slide as global gloom deepens
4th May 2011 16:39
The top share index slumped below 6,000 points as poor economic figures from the US added to the gloom in the afternoon following a poor start to the day from the FTSE 100. Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing sector report fell to 52.8 points in April, from the previous month's 57.3
Read moreLondon midday: Mining stocks lead the slide
4th May 2011 12:16
Mining stocks have been updating the market day to mixed receptions, but with commodity prices falling, the sector, and the FTSE 100, are firmly in the red overall. South America-focused Antofagasta is among the heaviest fallers after its quarterly production report. Group copper production for th
Read moreLondon open: Miners weigh on FTSE 100
4th May 2011 08:32
The top share index is demonstrating how it at the mercy of the global economy today, with a strong showing from the retail sector failing to offset weakness in miners as commodity prices fall. Next is higher after warm weather and the royal wedding holiday had shoppers flocking to its stores in th
Read moreLondon pre-open: Equities on the back foot
4th May 2011 07:42
Leading stocks are set to open lower, with City traders suggesting the blue-chip index may take a 40 point tumble at the outset, though corporate news flow should provide some bright spots. Asian markets-focused banking group Standard Chartered released an upbeat trading statement in which it said
Read more