Global Newsbrokers Stockmarket Service
London close at 17:06:02
UK SHARES CLOSE HIGHER
Thursday, January 13
The FTSE-100 index closed at 4,800.3,
up 16.7.
UK shares ended with moderate gains
today as prices were supported by
upbeat domestic news, but capped by
Wall Street's decline. A firmer oil
price also kept a lid on sentiment,
while the MPC's decision to leave UK
rates on hold had little impact.
Sainsbury remained in demand after
saying the pace of its sales decline
moderated in December. Like-for-like
sales in the 12 weeks to January 1
fell by 1.2 per cent.
However, Morrison stayed lower on a
broker `sell' note.
GUS held firm after saying it is
comfortable with full-year
expectations despite a soft 1 per cent
rise in 15-week sales at Argos.
Dixons also rose after its well-
received numbers yesterday.
Reuters firmed after saying its
revenue recovery is continuing. The
group sees Q1 recurring revenues
falling by a smaller-than-expected 1.5
per cent. Person was up in sympathy.
Also in the media sector, ITV rallied
amid bid speculation from a private
equity group.
Hilton rose on a report of an
upgrading, while positive comment
supported ICI, BAT and Gallaher.
BG firmed on a raised broker rating,
but Cairn Energy was hit by a price
target cut.
Among weak banks, a broker downgrading
weighed on Standard Chartered, while
Barclays was softer on profit-taking.
Rumours of a profits warning depressed
Northern Rock, while Royal Bank of
Scotland fell on speculation Santander
is placing the remainder of its stake.
Elsewhere, AstraZeneca was again
weaker on Crestor safety concerns,
while Alliance Unichem fell on a
downgrading on valuation worries.
Main index