London Stock Exchange

Britain's biggest insurer Prudential has reported a solid 9 percent sales growth in the first quarter, underpinned by a booming Asian business and despite a declining UK market.

As yet more rows start over executive pay, IBTimes UK looks at the issues around salary-setting remuneration committees and the calls for their reform.

Diageo Plc said its net sales increased 11 percent for the third quarter ended March mainly due to the acquisitions of Mey Icki, Serengeti Breweries and Meta Abo Breweries.

Murdoch-controlled pay-tv group tops forecasts for sales, earnings despite controversy over News International business

BSkyB shares lifted despite a report by the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee heavily criticising both Rupert and James Murdoch.

Hedge Fund Group's share price plunges further in London as takeover talk dismissed by CEO

Stock gets biggest boost since January after solid earnings and lower impairment charges

Bank says insurance group 'core' to Lloyds ongoing business but refuses comment on market speculation about Duke Street Capital bid.

Aberdeen Asset Management's portfolio nears £185bn as group ups dividend by 4.4 percent

Driven by the recovery in investor confidence and risk appetite, Aberdeen Asset Management reported net new inflows of £1.4 billion during the first two months of 2012. The group is scheduled to release its interim results for the six months ended March 31 on Monday, April 30.

Harvey Nash Group raised its profit outlook as it expects full-year results to be ahead of expectations, driven by skills shortages in niche markets and fast growing digital and mobile markets which continue to boost demand for technology professionals.

WPP PLC has posted a rise of 7.6 percent in its first-quarter revenues at £2.392 billion, as it achieved growth in all regions and business sectors, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Aegis Group Plc has reported a rise of 16.3 percent in its total revenue for the first-quarter in constant currency and 17.0 percent at reported rates.

Electrolux AB reported a record growth in its first-quarter sales, primarily driven by the acquisitions of CTI and Olympic Group and robust organic growth in Latin America.

Standard Life Plc posted an increased inflows into its long-term savings businesses for the first-quarter and assets under administration (AUA) exceeded expectations driven by continuing net inflows into its newer fee based propositions and positive market movements.

Premier Foods reported a slight rise in its first-quarter sales and said its cost reduction and restructuring programme was on track.

BofA Merryl Lynch also cut its rating of BSkyB stock, knocking the price, as James Murdoch is grilled at the Leveson inquiry.

Vodafone nabs C&W to gain access to UK's largest fibre network after rival Tata drops out of running.

Department store group posts solid earnings, but says Olympics, Jubilee celebrations will hit second-half trading

Global brewer sees Latin America, Africa sales offset European slowdown

ASML Holdings NV reported a drop in its first-quarter earnings by 24 percent, as its backlog orders from top clients such as Intel and Samsung shrinked. Shares of the group fell as much as 3.5 percent at 0928 AM CEST on Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

The world's largest primary silver producer said its silver output for the first quarter met expectations, while its gold output exceeded them.

Tesco posted a rise in its underlying pre-tax profits of 1.6 percent to £3.9 billion and announced it will spend over £1 billion to make the UK shopping trip better for customers.

Shares of GKN, a global engineering group, rose 4.7 percent last week as Credit Suisse raised its rating to "Outperform" from "Neutral" and sets price target at 240 pence though during last month the group's shares underperformed the sector by shedding 9.9 percent, compared to 8.2 percent decline for the sector.

Marks and Spencer has reported a drop in its UK like-for-like sales by 0.7 percent for the 13 weeks ended in March, but reported a growth in food sales by 1 percent. Analysts forecasted a rise of 0.4 - 1.6 percent.

Raincoat maker sees 18 percent pop in second half sales; investors book profits

AMEC has said its trading year-to-date is in line with expectations with good order book of £3.7 billion at the end of December 2011 and forward visibility.

Punch Taverns reported a fall of 20 percent in its profit before tax for the six months ending in March at £33 million compared to £41 million a year ago. But expects expects to reap benefits during the second half of the current year from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the UEFA European football championship and the Olympic Games.

Hays Plc has posted a rise of 10 percent in its net fee for the third quarter and growth of 18 percent in international business, which accounts for 70 percent of total net fees.

Aggreko has reported a very strong first quarter growth in both International Power Projects and the Local businesses delivering an underlying revenue over 20 percent.