COMPANIES

Shares in AMEC were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the engineering company said it had secured a £140 million deal with BG Group.

Shares in Rexam were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the consumer packaging company said it had successfully completed contract negotiations for its North American Beverage Can business.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as political unrest in Egypt continued to inject uncertainty into the market.

Budget airline Ryanair reported a fall in its losses in the third quarter ended 31 December 2010, and added that it expected full year results to be towards the upper end of expectations.

Shares in De La Rue were down on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the banknote printer issued an interim statement for the period since 25 September 2010.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading ahead of key economic data from the U.S.

Shares in Marston's were down on the FTSE 250 in morning trading despite the beer and pub company saying it had "an encouraging and robust performance" in the 16 weeks to 22 January 2011.

Shares in Mitchells & Butlers were up on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading after the pub-chain owner reported a rise in full year sales as well as a strong start to the New Year, despite the heavy snow in December.

Shares in AstraZeneca were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the pharmaceutical giant reported a rise in pre-tax profit in its fourth quarter and full year results.

Shares in British banks were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as economic concerns turned away from Europe for once and struck in the Far East.

Shares in Britvic were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the soft drink manufacturer reported a rise in revenue in its first quarter trading period.

Shares in AstraZeneca were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading ahead of the pharmaceutical giant's full year results, expected tomorrow.

Barclays bank has said that it will be cutting its financial planning advice services at its retail branches next month in a move that could lead to 1,000 jobs being lost.

Shares in A.G. Barr were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the maker of soft drink Irn-Bru said it was anticipating good sales growth for both its fourth quarter and full year trading periods.

Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading ahead of minutes from the Bank of England, expected today.

Shares in WH Smith were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading, despite the retailer reporting a fall in sales in the 21 weeks to 22 January 2011.

Christmas was rather a dull one for game players and hobbyists such as model train collectors and wargamers, that is if the sales figures for leading game and hobby manufacturers and retailers are to be believed.

Shares in Hornby were down on the FTSE All Share after the hobby group said it had a poor trading period from 1 October 2010 until the present.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as the Office for National Statistics reported a surprise contraction in GDP during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Shares in De La Rue were down on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after French firm Oberthur said it would not be making a takeover bid for the bank noted printer.

Shares in De La Rue were down on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading, despite reports that French firm Oberthur is considering enhancing its takeover offer for the banknote printer.

Shares in Misys were down on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading, ahead of the financial services software company's half year results, expected tomorrow.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as concerns about the eurozone came back to the fore, as did worries about banking reform.

Royal Philips Electronics has reported a strong rise in net income in the fourth quarter of 2010. Net income reached 465 million euros in the period, up 205 million euros from the same quarter in 2009.

Shares in Mouchel were soaring on the FTSE All Share after the outsourcing company was presented with a beefed up takeover offer from construction firm Costain.

Shares in British banks were broadly up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading following reports that part nationalised bank RBS may be leaving the government's asset protection scheme earlier than expected.

Shares in Mulberry were up on the FTSE AIM 100 after the maker of luxury handbags reported a strong rise in sales in the six weeks to the 15 January 2011.

Shares in Invensys were down on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the technology company issued an unremarkable statement on its trading for the third quarter period ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in easyJet were down on the FTSE 250 in morning trading, despite the budget airline reporting a rise in revenue in the quarter ended 31 December 2010.