Stock market analysis from The Share Centre
Nick Raynor, investment adviser at The Share Centre, comments on this week's market.
He said: "A week of varied fortunes has been had on the markets this week, some may have thought that on Wednesday when the market fell to 6,574 that the sell-off was now in full swing, how wrong could we have been.
"Within two trading days the FTSE 100 managed to regain these losses and then push further ahead on Friday.
"This week not all the gains were made from the mining sector, varying fortunes were had as commodity prices continued to rise with news from Rio Tinto that they were the 'white knight' that Alcan had been looking for.
"This did nothing for Rio's share price as this would negate the chances of a bid coming in for Rio itself.
"For the week the FTSE 100 gained 26 points to close at 6,716.
"Next week is fairly quiet on the reporting front so no doubt the market would be looking to America for guidance."
For a more in-depth analysis of this week's market - check out The Share Centre's video podcast here: www.thesharecentresays.co.uk
For further information please visit the The Share Centre's share picker tool: www.share.com/webp/v_spick.htm
The UK Market's Winners and Losers
Winners
| Company | Percentage change | Closing price | Comment |
| BskyB | +6.91% | 711.5p | Strong Q4 figures issued. |
| Kazakhmys | +9.73% | 1432p | Continued rises within mining sector on stronger commodity prices and consolidation rumours. |
| Whitbread | +4.52% | 1898p | Takeover talk rumours are banded around brokers. |
| Hunting | +9.29% | 841p | Further bid speculation. |
| Blacks Leisure | +14.18% | 344.25p | Activist shareholder Brian Meyerson takes a 5% stake in the company. |
Losers
| Company | Percentage change | Closing price | Comment |
| Rio Tinto | -6.74% | 3,733p | With Rio's making a bid for Alcan, doubt remains that the company themselves will become a target. |
| Kelda | -5.4% | 894p | Continued weakness for the water company after a re-organisation of shares. |
| Bovis Homes | -13.91% | 792.5p | Poor trading update. |
| Carter & Carter | -63.64% | 111p | Another profit warning. |
| Johnson Service Group | -5.91% | 310.25p | Trading update is disappointing and also shows concern over trading for the second half of the year also. |
NOTE: The companies detailed above may or may not be the biggest percentage movers (plus/minus) in the week.
Mondays companies reporting:
- Interim Results:
Amino Technologies, Low & Bonar. - Final Results:
Accident Exchange Group, Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings. - Trading Statements:
Burren Energy, Peter Hambro, Wolseley.
Tuesdays companies reporting:
- Final Results:
TMN Group. - Trading Statements:
JJB Sports.
Wednesdays companies reporting:
- Interim Results:
Vitec Group. - Trading Statements:
LogicaCMG.
Thursdays companies reporting:
- Interim results:
Colt Telecom (Q2), QXL Ricardo (Q1), Wyeth (Q2). - Final Results:
Best of the Best, Gamingking. - Trading Statements:
Northern Foods Group, Great Portland Estates.
Fridays companies reporting:
None scheduled
Comments
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