Trading Update
21-Oct-13, 6:31am: Mothercare shares have dropped 11.75p to £4.01 after CEO, Simon Calver, said that a 3 year turnaround plan was on course. High street promotion battles and poor weather are being blamed for hitting margins.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
22-Oct-13, 7:37am: QinetiQ shares are up 9p to 202.75p amid suggestions that it would sell its US division. Note that the American side of the business brings in more than a third of the firm’s revenue.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
23-Oct-13, 9:23am: According to a report in the FT, “GKN’s quarterly profits have risen more than a third, on the back of a booming commercial aerospace sector and resurgent demand from carmakers in the US and China”.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
24-Oct-13, 6:28am: BAT shares have been supported by the launch of its new e-cigarette.

According to the tobacco company, early indications suggest a good launch its Vype electronic cigarette.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
25-Oct-13, 9:34am: According to the Daily Telegraph the “UK The Government and the National Grid are developing emergency measures to prevent blackouts across Britain, as the country’s energy supply faces its biggest strain in years.”

This could put National Grid in a nice position.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
27-Oct-13, 8:05am: Provident, one of Britain’s largest doorstep lenders will start competing directly with internet based payday loan companies, such as Wonga, through a new online credit service. For more details see The Times.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
31-Oct-13, 10:50am: With the US dollar surging after the FOMC minutes spooked the markets, the DAX, Dow, gold and crude oil are all reversing.



Update by Craig Inglis, Head of Product Development,