Global quality assurance provider Intertek (ITRK) said it was on track to meet market expectations for the year after delivering 7.3% underlying sales growth in the first 10-months. The company confirmed it expects to deliver mid-single digit like for like revenue growth and margin progression alongside 'strong' free cash flow for the 12-months to 31 December. Investors welcomed the positive o...

FTSE 250 facilities management and energy services company Mitie Group (MTO) demonstrated it is the 'comeback kid' with another strong set of results and the reaffirmation of its recently-raised full-year profit target. The shares added 2p or just under 2% to 108p, just shy of their intraday year-high of 110p, taking their year-to-date gains to 45%, before easing slightly in mid-morning tradin...

The FTSE 100 made modest gains in London on Thursday morning, while the FTSE 250 slipped at the start of what should be a quieter day for traders as US markets close for the Thanksgiving break. The FTSE 100 index opened up 19.77 points, 0.3%, at 7,489.28. The FTSE 250 was down 30.21 points, 0.2%, at 18,449.96, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.13 of a point at 717.03. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2%...

Stock prices in London closed mixed on Wednesday, as pubs were boosted while the UK's autumn statement offered no big surprises for investors. The FTSE 100 index closed down 12.48 points, 0.2%, at 7,469.51. The FTSE 250 ended up 132.54 points, 0.7%, at 18,480.17, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.59 of a point, or 0.1%, at 716.90. The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.2% at 745.25, the Cboe UK 250 clos...

Shares in NatWest (NWG) were down slightly at 205p as the chancellor Jeremy Hunt floated the idea of a share offer. The Government still owns a 39% stake in the UK high street bank. The concern may be that shares will be offering to investors at a discount, acting as an overhang on the share price. PUBS AND BOOZE STOCKS TOAST DUTY FREEZE There were relatively a few winners in this Autumn State...

Animal genetics specialist Genus (GNS) reiterated full year profit guidance at its annual general meeting on Wednesday but conceded that phasing is expected to be second half weighted after mixed trading in the period. Increased uncertainty of meeting market expectations saw the shares fall 3% to £20.47, making them one of the biggest fallers in the FTSE 250. [advanced_chart instrument=GNS] C...

The FTSE 100 was essentially steady on Wednesday at midday, as investors held fire before the UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement, while the FTSE 250 was steadily up. The FTSE 100 index was down 2.54 points at 7,479.93. The FTSE 250 was up 139.05 points, 0.8%, at 18,486.68, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.00 point, 0.1%, at 717.31. The Cboe UK 100 was up slightly at 746.73, the Cboe UK...

Shares in Johnson Matthey (JMAT) were up over 2% to £14.93 in morning trading as the chemicals company raised its full year underlying operating performance despite reporting a 11% fall in revenue to £6.5 billion for the six months ending 30 September. Continuing pre-tax profit fell 56% to £82 million compared with £188 million in the same period a year ago due to lower average precious m...

Kingfisher (KGF) was the FTSE 100's biggest casualty on Wednesday, with shares in the home improvement giant cheapening 7% to 215.1p after the B&Q owner downgraded full year profit guidance for the second time in three months amid ongoing weakness in France. Group like-for-like sales were down 3.4% in the three weeks to 18 November amid persistent softness in France which Kingfisher expects to...

Finance and payroll software firm Sage (SGE) pleased investors not just with its better-than-expected annual results but with a surprise share buyback on top of the raised dividend. Sage shares topped the FTSE 100 leader board with an advance of 8% to a new lifetime high of £10.76. [advanced_chart instrument=SGE] STRONG ORGANIC GROWTH For the year to the end of September, the Newcastle-upon-T...

Stocks in London saw some slight gains early Wednesday, in a sign of tentative optimism before Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement. The FTSE 100 index opened up 13.59 points, 0.2%, at 7,495.58. The FTSE 250 was up 67.31 points, 0.4%, at 18,414.94, and the AIM All-Share was up 11.15 points, 0.2%, at 7,493.14. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 748.21, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.3% at 15,932.57,...

European equities endured an underwhelming trading session on Tuesday, while stock market investors will be hoping results from Nvidia will provide some impetus later. The stock comes into the third-quarter earnings on the back of a monstrous rise so far this year. Tepid numbers after the closing bell in New York on Tuesday could hurt it, however. There is also the release of minutes from the...