17-05-2012

Construction, services and property group Kier shares were up after the firm said it remains on course to meet its expectations for the current financial year and is performing well in the current market.

17-04-2012

BHP Billiton, Burberry, Dairy Crest, DMGT, Euromoney, Glencore, Hikma, Int'l Power, Kier, Logica, M&S, NCC, Schroders, Vedanta, William Hill

29-02-2012

- Stocks tumble on Bernanke comments. - Higher-than-expected LTRO take-up. - ITV surges on 'exceptional turnaround'.

29-02-2012

- Higher-than-expected LTRO take-up. - ITV surges on 'exceptional turnaround'. - Ludowici issues overshadow impressive 2011 for Weir.

29-02-2012

- Investors await ECB's LTRO. - ITV jumps 7% after strong 2011. - Ludowici issues overshadow impressive 2011 for Weir.

23-02-2012

- US data comes in better-than-expected. - EC cuts GDP estimates across the board. - RBS, Capita lead risers after full-year results.

23-02-2012

Shares in metals and alloys treatment firm Bodycote rocketed after it said profit surged 68% helped by strong demand at its aerospace and defence unit and robust sales overseas. The group said despite economic headwinds, particularly in Europe, the business would continue to make progress in the coming year.

23-02-2012

Underlying interim profits may have risen at Kier but the construction, services and property group warned that the UK construction market looks set to remain depressed over the medium-term.

23-02-2012

- EC cuts GDP estimates across the board. - RBS, Capita lead risers after full-year results. - German IFO survey comes in at six-month high.

23-02-2012

- RBS leads banks higher after results. - Capita rises strongly after bullish outlook. - EU expected to cut Eurozone GDP forecasts.

21-02-2012

Admiral, Morrison, Petropavlovsk, Aberdeen Asset Management, ASOS, Devro, SEGRO, Genus, Kier, Rathbone Bros, Albemarle and Bond, Misys, CSR, Dairy Crest, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, McBride, Xchanging, Restaurant Group, Communisis...

20-02-2012

City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open up around 42 points from Friday's close of 5,905, following Friday's news that the People´s Bank of China is to cut its legal reserve ratio requirement for large banks by half a percentage point. As well, different reports out over the weekend are making for a better news-flow around Greece. More specifically, there seems to be some official support now for the idea of increasing the size of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). As well, China and Japan may be more willing to participate in an increase of the funds which are put at the disposal of the International Monetary Fund.

20-02-2012

A Kier joint venture with BAM Nuttall has been given the task by energy company EDF Energy of doing site preparation work for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.

24-01-2012

Ashmore: Royal Bank of Scotland downgrades to hold from buy.

16-12-2011

Kier Group, the construction and building services firm has sold two of its Public Finance Initiative projects at a profit of £6.8m.

01-12-2011

The Tempus column in The Times ponders which stocks would fit into a share portfolio consisting of stocks exposed to London and the South East only, and suggests that one would be Shaftesbury, the property company whose assets consist almost entirely of shops, restaurants and bars in the West End. Its full-year figures yesterday contained one startling table. Over the past five years, gross income from its property portfolio rose year on year through the recession, up another 13 per cent to £77.5 million. Their estimated rental value showed a slight dip in 2009, but that rising income suggests tenants merely continued to pay over the odds. The shares are unusual in selling at a premium to net assets of 8 per cent above the 463p a share at the end of September, up 11.8 per cent over the year. Still a long-term hold for those who believe the London economy will continue to outperform, reckons Tempus.

30-11-2011

Much has changed since the Independent's Investment Column looked at spread betting firm IG Group. For one thing, the economic outlook has turned darker, making IG's chunky prospective dividend yield of 5% (and higher on some estimates) look that much more attractive, the Indy reckons. The income, and the quality of the UK business, suddenly appears more valuable in light of the weaker trends in the global economy. Rising revenues in uncertain times, a quality franchise and a healthy dividend yield at a time when earnings across all manner of sectors are in question - make IG look like a good bet. At around 12 times forward earnings for next year, falling to under 11 times for the year after, IG is not expensive either. Take a punt on the shares, says the Indy.

24-11-2011

Construction, services and property group Kier said a joint venture between itself, BAM and Ferrovial had been awarded a £200m contract on the Crossrail scheme.

15-11-2011

Construction, services and property group Kier said it remains on course to meet expectations for the full year despite the increasingly challenging environment.

16-09-2011

Kier, the construction, house-building and contracting firm, has, to its credit, managed to come through the slump rather well, drawing strength from the diversity of its operations and sound strategic moves, according to the Investment Column in the Independent. This was reflected in its results yesterday, when it revealed that underlying pre-tax profits had climbed to nearly £70m in the year to the end of June, up from £55.5m in 2010. The full year dividend was up by 10 per cent, while construction margins improved and services margins remained stable. The valuation - the stock trades on under 8 times forward earnings - is also supportive. These factors argue against selling. The gloomy mood in the markets, however, argues against buying at this point. Hold, says the Independent.