A typical Thursday sees a host of major companies reporting. But first a bit more takeover talk. Traders are hearing that British Energy may be a target, with Centrica tipped as an interested party.
British Energy was up 17.5p initially, but has now slipped back as doubts set in and is unchanged at 588.5p. An alternative theory had Centrica casting its eyes over Drax, up 1.5p to 543p. Centrica is down 1.25p at 322.25p.
Among the miners Xstrata has dropped 162p to £39.75 on suggestions that Glencore - its biggest shareholder - may prove a sticking point in the potential bid by Brazil's Vale. Glencore is said to want a bigger share of the marketing rights in the combined business.
As for the day's company reports, Rentokil is the main disaster area. Its shares have slumped nearly 25% to a 16 year low after its second profit warning in two months and the departure of chairman Brian McGowan.
Royal Bank of Scotland seems to have confused the market somewhat with its figures, which include a contribution from ABN Amro. It shares are now 2p higher at 412p.
Whitbread pleased investors by issuing an upbeat trading statement and saying it would save £25m a year by combining its budget hotels and pub restaurants. Its shares are currently the best performer in the FTSE 100, up 86p to £13.12.
Meanwhile Enterprise Inns is nearly 5% higher at 444p as Morgan Stanley raised its recommendation from equal weight to overweight. But the London Stock Exchange fell nearly 4% to £14.07 as the same bank slashed its price target from £20.20 to £15.
Back with the trading news, Aviva added 20.5p to 630.5p and National Express climbed 45p to £11.68 after positive figures.
