FTSE 100 movers: Sage boosted by figures
Business software giant Sage reported first-half growth that was in line with management expectations except for the troublesome Sage Healthcare Division in North America.
Pre-tax profit in the six months to 31 March 2008 rose to £122.6m from £108.6m a year earlier on revenue that grew from £574.7m to £640.4m.
Next is another gainer despite sales dipping 3.9% to £738.9m in the first quarter, with the group cautious about the outlook given the soaring cost of food, fuel, mortgages and taxes. But the warm weather is giving some cheer. Sales in the second quarter will improve significantly due to last year's poor weather, the retailer said.
Enterprise Inns has slipped back after yesterday's surge on the approval from HMRC for it to convert to a Real Estate Investment Trust if it wants to.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Sage Group (SGE) 225.25p +6.75%
Next (NXT) 1,296.00p +5.54%
Lonmin (LMI) 3,341.00p +4.02%
Unilever (ULVR) 1,727.00p +3.91%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 406.75p +2.84%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 789.00p +2.80%
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Home Retail Group (HOME) 274.50p +2.43%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 1,779.00p +2.36%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Enterprise Inns (ETI) 480.00p -5.88%
Barclays (BARC) 460.50p -3.05%
British Airways (BAY) 235.25p -2.79%
Old Mutual (OML) 122.70p -2.77%
Admiral Group (ADM) 865.50p -2.37%
SABMiller (SAB) 1,173.00p -1.92%
Standard Life (SL.) 256.50p -1.82%
Schroders NV (SDRC) 941.50p -1.67%
