Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

MARKETS: HOW BRITAIN'S BIGGEST HAVE PERFORMED

Sunday 30 March 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The best performing stock last week was Centrica, the gas marketing company hived off from the former British Gas. The stock had suffered a dismal performance, falling 22.2 per cent since trading started in mid- February as takeover hopes faded and income funds were sold because of the lack of dividend. The shares bounced 11.9 per cent to 63.5p last week after a leading broker recommended them as a buy with a target price of 73p.

The Energy Group, the Anglo-American coal-mining and electricity company which was recently demerged from Hanson, was the second-best performing share last week, gaining 9 per cent. The company is buying US-based Citizens Lehman Power, which arranges power sales between utilities, for $120m. It unveiled its strategy for the future to analysts last week.

Hanson, the rump of the former conglomerate comprising the building materials business, was the worst performer on the FT-SE 100, falling 5.4 per cent. The company announced its first US acquisition on 20 March of a concrete pipes company, but investors and analysts are keen to see the company prove itself in the post-demerger world before favouring the stock. Copyright: IOS & Bloomberg

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in