Stock market analysis from The Share Centre
Nick Raynor, investment adviser at The Share Centre, comments on this week's market.
He said: "As most of us expected, the Bank of England raised interest rates once again, another quarter point was added and now mortgage rates stand at their highest level since April 2001 at 5.75%.
"This however did not deter the market from rising once again as the FTSE 100 added a further 82 points to close at 6,690.
"Mining stocks were racing away once again, Credit Suisse upgraded nearly the entire sector and this was coupled with bid speculation.
"Lonmin has been suggested as the next miner to be gobbled up, with Xstrata the likely suitor.
"The only other sector that was subject to any takeover speculation was in the Hotel/Leisure sector, Blackstone the private equity company has purchased Hilton Hotels Corp in a deal worth over £10 billion and that boosted UK companies Intercontinental Hotels and Millennium and Copthorne."
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 |
| Anglo American | +10.7% | 3261p | De-merger of Mondi completed this week and also rises with the sector. |
| Intercontinental Hotels | +4.1% | 1295p | Private Equity firm Blackstone purchase Hilton Hotels, and other hoteliers rise that they maybe the next target. |
| Lonmin | +6.3% | 4272p | Rumours that Xstrata could come in with a £45-£50 offer. |
| Game Group | +13.6% | 190p | Trading statement released. |
| Autonomy Corporation | +19.2% | 858p | Announcement of acquisition and a successful placing raised £93 million, all issued in a trading statement. |
Losers
| Company | Percentage change | Closing price | Comment |
| Vodafone | -2.9% | 163p | O2 is looking favourite to win the UK iPhone deal, whereas Vodafone was in the early running initially. |
| Thomas Cook | -5.9% | 305p | Travel companies weaker after failed bombing attempts. |
| Carter & Carter | -36% | 306p | Trading update issued late last Friday impacted on the market this week, profits to be well below company expectations. |
| French Connection | -9.3% | 186p | The superb summer that we are having (not) impacts on clothing retailers. |
| Biofuels Corporation | -29.6% | 3.9p | Still continues to be weaker despite agreeing debt restructuring deal with its main bankers. |
NOTE: The companies detailed above may or may not be the biggest percentage movers (plus/minus) in the week.
Mondays companies reporting:
- Final Results:
Litcomp, Proventec, Spice. - Trading Statements:
Bovis Homes.
Tuesdays companies reporting:
- Interim results:
Safestore. - Final Results:
Anite Group, ASOS, Fletcher King, SSP Holdings. - Trading Statements:
Johnson Service Group, Taylor Wimpey.
Wednesdays companies reporting:
- Final Results:
Avocet Mining, O Twelve Estates. - Trading Statements:
Kier Group, London Stock Exchange, Tullow Oil.
Thursdays companies reporting:
- Interim results:
Kensington Group, Xploite. - Final Results:
Chapelthorpe, Forest Support Services, Scott Wilson, The Capital Pub Company. - Trading Statements:
Spectris.
Fridays companies reporting:
None scheduled
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