FTSE

Northern Foods, the maker of Fox biscuits and Goodfella's pizza, has today reported a fall in like-for-like sales although added it was trading in line with hopes for the thirteen weeks to 3 July 2010.

Shares in British banks were up on the FTSE 100 as investors started to look with confidence into the future, following strong results from a U.S. mining giant.

Shares in Burberry Group were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading, despite the company reporting a rise in revenue of 24 per cent to £282 million in the first quarter ended 30 June.

Shares in Kier Group were up over four per cent on the FTSE 250 in afternoon trading after the construction company said that it expected full year underlying pre-tax profit to be "towards the upper end of current market expectations".

BAA passenger numbers have shown a gradual improvement year-on-year, as latest figures show a 1.7 percent fall on June 2009, compared with 22.7 percent disparity in April and 4.5 pct in May.

BP shares have risen on the FTSE 100 after reports of asset sales that cover that could cover the $3.5 billion cost of the oil spill so far.

Shares in British banks were mixed in morning trading on the FTSE 100 following news that the British GDP growth was unchanged at 0.3 per cent for the first quarter.

Shares in Domino's Pizza were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the company reported a rise in pre-tax profit of 28.6 per cent in the half year ended 27 June.

Michael Page International has announced gross profits up 33.1 pct today on increasing confidence in the job market and a clear investment strategy.

ITV, Associated British Foods and Marks & Spencers are amongst the FTSE companies in today's Broker Tips. The three companies have all been covered in recent notes by securities firm Nomura and British bank, RBS.

J Sainsbury has taken the concept of opening new branches to a whole new level after unveiling a "tree top Sainsbury's store" to coincide with the launch of its corporate responsibility report in which the supermarket sets out its goals to help the environment over the next five years.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after gains made earlier in the week.

Shares in Bovis Homes were down on the FTSE 250 in morning trading despite the housebuilder announcing that it would be resuming dividend payments after a strong half year period.

British Telecom has avoided potentially crippling strike action with the Communication Workers Union today.

Man Group hedge fund has posted a seventh successive quarter of losses after volatility and low interest rates continue to see clients pull out their money.

Shares in British banks were soaring on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after a dismal performance last week was eradicated by U.S. company news and the IMF.

Associated British Foods has reported a rise in group revenue of 14 per cent in the 40 week period ended 19 June 2010. In the 16 weeks to 19 June group sales were up 13 per cent.

The owner of Primark is rising on the FTSE 100 today ahead of its third quarter trading statement.

United Utilities has risen on the FTSE 250 today after announcing a hosepipe ban in Northwest from Friday.

Shares in British banks declined on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after poor data from the U.S. yesterday added to the feeling among investors that the global economic recovery is far from certain.

Shares in Marks & Spencer were down on the FTSE 100 after the group said it was "cautious" of the future following the recent announcement of a rise in VAT, despite reporting a rise in group sales of 4.4 per cent in the first quarter ended 3 July.

Shares in Marks & Spencer were up on the FTSE 100 and are a recommended hold ahead of tomorrow's first quarter trading statement.

Shares in BP continued rising on the FTSE 100 today after increased speculation that the oil giant is seeking support from sovereign wealth funds to save it from a takeover, as it deals with the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Shares in British banks were up in morning trading on the FTSE 100, helping the index to make its way back above 4,900 after a series of heavy falls last week and on Monday.

Shares in easyJet were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading today, as the budget airline announced a rise in passenger numbers of over nine per cent in June.

Shares in BP were up nearly five per cent on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after reports of Middle Eastern interest in a substantial stake in the company started doing the rounds.

Shares in British banks were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as investors continued to fret over the state of the eurozone and the global economic recovery.

Shares in British banks were largely up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after days of heavy losses brought about by fears of a double-dip recession.

Shares in Travis Perkins were up over five per cent on the FTSE 250 after the builder's merchant said it expected to begin paying dividends again later in the summer.

Diageo, the maker of Smirnoff, Guinness and Baileys has found a unique way of closing its £862m deficit - by using core assets that will grow in value.