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-32912565

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kingfisher shares lifted by revamp progress FTSE 100 rises with Kingfisher shares lifted by revamp progress
(about 4 hours later)
(Open): The FTSE 100 opened lower, but shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher rose after it said it was proceeding with its revamp plan "at pace". (Noon): The FTSE 100 recovered from early losses, with B&Q owner Kingfisher higher after it said it was proceeding with its revamp plan "at pace".
The FTSE 100 was down 13.21 points at 7,020.12 in early trade. The FTSE 100 was up 12.48 points at 7,045.81 in lunchtime trade.
Kingfisher shares rose 3.1% following its first quarter update. Like-for-like sales at B&Q dropped 1.1%, but rose 15.4% at its Screwfix chain. Kingfisher shares rose 3.3% following its first quarter update. Like-for-like sales at B&Q dropped 1.1%, but rose 15.4% at its Screwfix chain.
In March, Kingfisher said it would close 60 B&Q stores in the next two years and expand the Screwfix chain.In March, Kingfisher said it would close 60 B&Q stores in the next two years and expand the Screwfix chain.
"The first quarterly update has shown some signs of progress," said Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers."The first quarterly update has shown some signs of progress," said Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.
Sports Direct shares rose 3.7% after the retailer said it would make a presentation later, where it would say profit before tax and earnings per share are set to be ahead of analysts' expectations. Sports Direct was the biggest riser on the index, rising 4.25% after the retailer said full-year pre-tax profits and earnings per share were set to be ahead of analysts' expectations.
Tate & Lyle shares fell 3.4% after the sugar and sweeteners firm reported a fall in full-year profits and said this year's profits are expected to be flat. Tate & Lyle shares fell 3.3% after the firm reported a fall in full-year profits and said this year's profits were expected to be flat.
Shares in British Airways owner IAG were up 0.4%. The airline group said on Thursday that its €2.55 a share offer for Aer Lingus was "final and will not be increased". Shares in British Airways owner IAG were up 1.2%. The airline group said on Thursday that its €2.55 a share offer for Aer Lingus was "final and will not be increased".
Ryanair, which owns a near-30% stake in Aer Lingus, has yet to say whether it will accept the offer.Ryanair, which owns a near-30% stake in Aer Lingus, has yet to say whether it will accept the offer.
On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.08% against the dollar to $1.5366, but fell 0.23% against the euro to €1.4047. On the currency markets, the pound fell after the Office for National Statistics confirmed the UK economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, unchanged from its initial estimate.
Analysts had been expecting the figure to be revised up to 0.4%.
The pound fell 0.5% against the dollar to $1.5274, and dropped 0.65% against the euro to €1.3988.