RETAIL/CONSUMER

Shares in Home Retail took a dive on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the owner of Argos and Homebase reported a drop in sales at both its chains in the full year ended 26 February 2011.

Shares in Morrisons were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the supermarket chain reported a rise in turnover and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Home Retail Group were up on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading, ahead of the group's end of year trading statement, due tomorrow.

Shares in Morrison (WM) were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading, ahead of the supermarket chain's full year results, expected tomorrow.

Business rescue professionals are concerned the UK economy still continues to present risks to the financial health of a large number of UK firms. Figures released for the final quarter of 2010 demonstrate that more firms went into administration than during the previous quarter.

Shares in Stagecoach were up on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading after the transport group reported a rise in revenue in the 40 weeks ended 6 February 2011.

Shares in Ocado were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the food delivery company reported a rise in sales in the 12 weeks ended 20 February.

Shares in Balfour Beatty were up on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading after the construction company reported a rise in revenue and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Taylor Wimpey were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the housebuilder reported a return to profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in ITV were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the independent broadcaster reported a strong rise in revenue and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Persimmon were down on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the housebuilder reported a strong rise in revenue and profits in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Bunzl were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the outsourcing firm reported a rise in revenue and pre-tax profit in the year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Pearson were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the publisher and owner of the Financial Times, reported a rise in sales and pre-tax profit in the full year 2010.

Shares in Pearson were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading ahead of the publisher's full year results, expected on Monday.

Shares in William Hill were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the bookmaker reported a strong rise in pre-tax profits in the full year ended 28 December 2010.

Shares in British American Tobacco were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the company reported a rise in revenue and adjusted profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Rexam were down on the FTSE 100 despite the packaging company reporting a rise in sales and pre-tax profit in the full year 2010.

Supermarket chain Asda today reported a rise in fourth quarter like for like sales of 1.6 per cent, thanks to what it called a "good Christmas" and the strong growth of its "Extra Special" range of goods.

Shares in Pendragon were up on the FTSE All Share in morning trading after the car dealer reported a rise in revenue and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Diageo were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the beverage company said it would be acquiring Turkish spirits company Mey Icki for £1.3 billion.

Shares in Rentokil Initial took a dive on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the group reported a sharp decline in pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Ladbrokes were down on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading after the bookmaker reported a fall in total profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Millennium & Copthorne Hotels were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the group reported a rise revenue and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Thorntons were down on the FTSE All Share in morning trading after the chocolate maker reported a fall in pre-tax profit in the half year ended 8 January 2011.

Shares in Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland were down on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading despite the company reporting a rise in sales and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 26 December 2010.

Shares in InterContinental Hotels were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading despite the group reporting a rise in revenue and operating profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Diageo were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading despite the brewer reporting a rise in net sales and operating profit in the half year ended 31 December 2010.

Shares in Daily Mail and General Trust were up in afternoon trading after the publisher reported a rise in revenue in the first quarter ended 2 January 2011.

Shares in Reckitt Benckiser were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading despite the consumer goods company reporting a rise in revenue and net income in the full year 2010.