The FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE) is picking up a little today, gaining 24 points to 6,596 by late morning, largely in the absence of any real news. The big banks have put on a few pennies today, but the picture is mixed for the miners. Unilever is up a little ahead of results, and the recent rise in Marks & Spencer shares continues.
But which companies are responding to good news? Here are three whose shares are getting a nice boost:
Anglo American
Anglo American (LSE: AAL) is the latest miner to release a positive production report. Although output of iron ore in the second quarter of 2013 declined by 1% on the previous quarter, it was still 9% ahead of the same period last year. Copper production was up 14% with nickel up 22%, so production of metals in general is looking healthy.
The share price responded with a modest 13p (1%) rise to 1,370p in early trading, though the price did gain 33p (2.5%) yesterday as the whole mining sector responded well to previous production reports.
London Stock Exchange
A first-quarter update from London Stock Exchange Group sent the shares up 64p (4.3%) to 1,544p — topping a rise of more than 50% over the past 12 months. Revenue for the quarter came in 39% ahead of the same quarter last year, at £250m, with information service revenue up 11%. Chief executive Xavier Rolet said that “In particular, we have delivered strong results from FTSE, MillenniumIT and from Capital Markets“.
Forecasts for the full year to March 2014 put LSE shares on a forward P/E of 15, with an 8% fall in earnings per share predicted — whether that will be upgraded now remains to be seen, with today’s announcement devoid of any quantitative guidance.
Sports Direct
Shares in Sports Direct International (LSE: SPD) have more then doubled over the past 12 months, and perked up another 29.5p (5%) to 630p this morning on the release of preliminary full-year results.
Basically, everything is up on a 52-week comparison basis — revenue up 21%, pre-tax profit up 40%, and earnings per share up 43% to 26.85p. The only possible disappointment is that the board has chosen not to propose a dividend yet, saying that it prefers to “maintain financial and strategic flexibility, including pursuit of potential acquisition opportunities and ongoing investment“.
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> Alan does not own any shares mentioned in this article.