Markets
Market update (AM): Whitbread powers to top as sales rise
Rob Langston, 21 June 2011
Premier Inn owner Whitbread (WTB.L) was the biggest riser this morning (at 0953) up 5.9 per cent to 1,573p, following a bullish trading update.
The hotel and restaurant group reported a 9.2 per cent rise in total sales for the 13 weeks to 2 June, compared with last year, supported by strong growth in the Premier Inn and Costa Coffee brands.
Andy Harrison, chief executive of Whitbread, said although it had been affected by the long Easter break and Royal Wedding, it had made good progress.
He said revenue per available room at Premier Inn had benefited from a stronger London market, but restaurants in the provinces had been affected by 'a more difficult dining market'.
Miner Antofagasta (ANTO.L) saw its share price rise 3.1 per cent to 1,248p, while BP (BP.L) increased 3 per cent to 442.45p after it revealed a $75 million agreement with services provider Weatherford.
Plumbing supplies company Wolseley (WOS.L) and engineer Weir Group (WEIR.L) both saw share prices rise 2.9 per cent to 1,939p and 2,049p, respectively.
The biggest faller (at 0954) was SABMiller (SAB.L) after news that Australian company Foster's had rejected a £7.3 billion offer from the FTSE 100-listed brewer. SABMiller dropped 3.4 per cent to 2,108.5p.
Financial Times publisher Pearson (PSON.L) dropped 2 per cent to 1,127p, while the other biggest faller Imperial Tobacco (IMT.L) shed 1.4 per cent to 1,995p.
Elsewhere utilities companies were down, with United Utilities (UU.L) and Severn Trent (SVT.L) both falling. United Utilities dropped 0.6 per cent to 596.5p, while Severn Trent fell 0.4 per cent to 1,431p.
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