London market are in recovery mode thanks solid gains from banking and supermarket stocks. The FTSE 100 rallies 30.5 points on Monday morning to 6,558, the UK's benchmark index continuing to recover after hitting a 10-month low last week. Banking group Barclays (BARC) leads the way, the shares 1.5% higher at 228.05p, early trading's third biggest riser.
Unloved retail giant Tesco (TSCO), still reeling from a grim period of profit warnings and an accounting shocker, ticks 2.7p higher to 174.85p after bolstering the retail experience of its board. Under-fire chairman Richard Broadbent unveils two well-received, consumer-based non-executive appointments, a key move in Tesco's corporate governance trust rebuilding exercise.
FTSE 100 oil and gas producer BG Group (BG.) gains 1.3% to £10.80 on news it has received $350 million for historic production from the Egyptian government. The payment reduces the group's in-country receivables (remaining cash owed) to $1.2 billion and Deutsche Bank says will 'ease concerns' this balance might need to be 'written off'.
Oil producer Petroceltic (PCI:AIM) is up 20.5% to 215p a share on news of a 230p per share cash bid from peer Dragon Oil (DGO). Dragon shares slip 0.4% to 571.5p on the news - we will have more on the story on the site later.
Iodine producer Iofina (IOF:AIM) jumps 27.6% to 55.5p as it hits its September production target of 28 metric tonnes of iodine and is awarded a preliminary payment for its water supply operation in Montana.
An ambitious growth push, including sensible acquisitions, is paying-off for digital purchasing platform operator Proactis (PHD:AIM), and investors like the hew of today's full year results. The shares rally more than 9% to 87.5p despite having flagged the best of the figures in a recent trading update. A former Shares Play of the Week, we opted to highlight the benefits of taking 45% profits a few weeks ago.
Under the cosh video search engine Blinkx (BLNX:AIM) loses the rebound gains from Friday, the shares down 4% to 29.75p, virtually back to the 29.5p levels to which the stock plunged in the wake of last week's big profits miss.
High profile used car marketplace BCA Marketplace, owner of the fast-growing webuyanycar website, announces its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange. For all the latest news and gossip on IPOs, spin through Shares dedicated microsite.
High quality sausage, bacon and sandwiches producer Cranswick (CWK) loses some sizzle, off 20p (1.5%) at £13.05 on a mixed first half trading update. News of flat year-on-year sales implies a second quarter sales slowdown. However, the food producer still expects to meet full-year profit forecasts with the help of a strong Christmas and lower pig input prices.
Livestock auctioneer-to-agricultural property seller John Swan & Sons (SWJ:AIM) flutters 4% (25p) higher to 650p on news a land sale has boosted its working capital coffers.
Engineering consultancy Waterman (WTM) reports that it is on track to meet a target of tripling profit before tax in the next three years. But investors remain non-plussed, the stock easing a modest 1p, to 55p as profit before tax doubles to £0.8 million and revenue increases 19%.
Unconventional storage solutions provider Restore (RST:AIM) completes its largest acquisition to date in the UK’s document management industry. It is buying Cintas Document Management, a top 10 player in the sector, for £23.5 million. The deal is being funded by a £14.9 million discounted placing with institutional investors and a new debt facility. Investors like the move, pushing the shares 2.2% higher at 231.5p.
