This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40788016
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
FTSE 100 lifted by Rolls-Royce and Direct Line | FTSE 100 lifted by Rolls-Royce and Direct Line |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Shares in aerospace giant Rolls-Royce led the FTSE higher, jumping 10.25% after its profits beat expectations. | |
The company reported a 12% rise in revenues to £7.57bn for the first six months of the year, helped by a 27% increase in large engine deliveries. | The company reported a 12% rise in revenues to £7.57bn for the first six months of the year, helped by a 27% increase in large engine deliveries. |
Rolls also said cost savings were ahead of schedule and it was on target to hit profit forecasts. | Rolls also said cost savings were ahead of schedule and it was on target to hit profit forecasts. |
The company reported a first-half pre-tax profit of £1.94bn, compared with a £2.15bn loss a year earlier. | The company reported a first-half pre-tax profit of £1.94bn, compared with a £2.15bn loss a year earlier. |
Underlying profits more than doubled to £287m, comfortably beating analysts' forecasts. | Underlying profits more than doubled to £287m, comfortably beating analysts' forecasts. |
At the close, Rolls-Royce was the biggest riser on the FTSE 100, with the index up 51.66 points at 7,423.66. | |
Intertek Group was another big riser, up more than 9%, after the product testing company said its half-year profits rose more than 20% to £210.3m. | |
Shares in Direct Line were up more than 5% after the insurer reported a 9.5% increase in operating profits to £354.2m. | |
On the currency markets, the pound was down a fraction against the dollar at $1.3208 and 0.34% higher against the euro at 1.1196 euros. |