13-05-2012

Pump and valves specialist Weir Group has been a favourite of the bears this year on concerns the low US natural gas price would crimp orders for equipment for the shale gas industry. The boom in fracking and shale gas production has resulted in a glut of gas in the US - and it does not yet have the infrastructure to support exports. This has resulted in producers reining in gas developments. However, 32 per cent of total revenues in 2011 were generated by the oil and gas unit - and not all of these orders related to US shale. Last week's trading update revealed that orders in oil and gas slumped 26 per cent on a like-for-like basis in the first quarter. However, order input at its minerals division rose 18 per cent, which was ahead of expectations. Power and Industrial orders were also strong, up 35 per cent, or 27 per cent on a like-for-like basis. This meant the group maintained its full-year guidance. Questor feels very strongly that the long-term prospects of Weir outweigh the short-term issues in some of its markets. Each of its sectors is in a long-term bull market as the global population rises and demand for energy and basic materials rises. For that reason it concludes by saying that, "Questor maintains a buy on this quality company."

09-05-2012

Investment company 3i infrastructure has seen steady growth in its net asset value in the full year to the end of March but India has been a let down.

30-03-2012

While 3i Infrastructure's European portfolio performed well in the year to March 31st, the infrastructure investment firm did highlight a more challenging environment in India.

10-02-2012

A round-up of the biggest director buys today so far.

26-01-2012

Renishaw, the specialist engineering firm, gets the once over from Tempus in the Times. The Gloucestershire based firm, which makes measuring equipment for production lines, gained 20% yesterday after reporting record half yearly revenues, up 11% over the last six months of 2011 versus 2010.

25-01-2012

London's Footsie opened slightly higher on Wednesday morning with the mood boosted by last night's strong showing from US tech giant Apple.

25-01-2012

3i Infrastructure, the company that invests in infrastructure projects worldwide, said its portfolio continues to perform well and is delivering a good yield.

16-12-2011

LNI Acquisition Oy, the parent company of investment infrastructure company 3i Infrastructure has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity in Vattenfall Oy and Vattenfall Lämpö Oy - known collectively as the target - from Vattenfall AB.

30-09-2011

Cash continues to flow steadily in at 3i Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment company, ensuring that the company's own proposed cash pay-out to shareholders is comfortably covered.

05-07-2011

3i Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment company, said its portfolio assets continue to perform well and are generating good income.

15-02-2011

There can be few cavils over the price that the board of John Wood Group has raised from the sale of its well support division. A net $2.6bn after tax, fees and expenses was significantly higher than the market had been expecting.

03-02-2011

Infrastructure investor 3i Infrastructure returned portfolio income of £23.8m in the quarter to December.

15-12-2010

After racing to the front of the pack with its autumn flotation, Betfair was all but pulled up lame yesterday. The betting exchange's shares took a hammering as its first set of a results as a quoted company missed City forecasts.

04-11-2010

HSBC is selling Eversholt Rail Group for £2.1bn to a group of investment funds.

28-09-2010

Specialist infrastructure investor group 3i Infrastructure said its portfolio is performing well and is positioned to deliver a strong yield.

11-08-2010

Specialist infrastructure investor group 3i Infrastructure said the assets in its portfolio continue to perform well operationally and financially, generating good income.

07-05-2010

Is BP going to go bankrupt? That is the question for investors and putative investors to answer. Certainly the immediate outlook is bad. The fatal explosion and subsequent sinking of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico two weeks ago is an unmitigated disaster.

29-03-2010

All of Footsie's early gains have now been pulled back despite futures pointing to a decent start on Wall Street.

29-03-2010

Telecoms firms and miners are just about keeping blue chips in the blue, though most of the early gains have now been given back.

29-03-2010

London has opened the shortened week on the front foot with telecoms and miners leading the index higher.