It looks like the FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE) is set to achieve its first weekly rise since mid-May, with the index of top UK shares down 13 points on the day to 6,231 by mid-afternoon — but that’s 115 points up on last Friday’s close of 6,116.
To put that into perspective amongst the recent ups and downs, the FTSE 100 is now 645 points down on the 13-year record of 6,876 set on 22 May, and 753 points up on its 52-week low from a year ago.
But which shares are ending the week less well? Here are three from the indices that are falling behind the FTSE today:
Keller
A pre-close update ahead of first-half figures due on 29 July sent Keller Group (LSE: KLR) shares down 28p (2.8%) to 983p by midday. There wasn’t actually much in the announcement, other than a confirmation that things are still in line with last month’s interim statement.
That update revealed that economic conditions in the firm’s global markets are varied, but that it is optimistic about the construction business in North America. Overall, we were told “the board expects to see a continuation of recent progress”.
Keller shares are up more than 150% over the past 12 months.
Quindell
Quindell Portfolio shares gained 2% to 11p despite the firm reporting “a continuation in the positive momentum enjoyed during the first three months of the financial year”.
In a trading statement on the day of its AGM, the software and consultancy firm told us that it expects EBITDA for the second quarter of the year to at least reach the Q1 level of over £25m, with margins ahead of the firm’s longer-term expectations. In all, everything is going according to plan.
Despite today’s small fall, Quindell shares have doubled over the past 12 months, though the ride has been rocky.
Clarkson
Shares in investment broker Clarkson (LSE: CKN) dropped 12p (0.7%) to 1,633p on the release of a pre-close update ahead of interim results due on 19 August — though all it said was that since the firm’s last update on 10 May, “trading has continued in line with the board’s expectations”.
That all suggests full-year performance should be along the lines of current forecasts, which suggest a 12% rise in earnings per share with the shares on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 19. The predicted dividend offers a yield of 3.2%.
Finally, reliable dividends can more than compensate for the day-to-day ups and downs of share prices. So how about a company that’s offering a 5% yield and which could be set for some nice share price appreciation too?
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> Alan does not own any shares mentioned in this article.