London midday: Stocks off the bottom

Blue-chips are beginning to recover their poise, helped by demand for heavyweight oil stocks in the wake of better than expected results from Shell, and a positive reaction to results from Glaxo, released at noon.

Higher oil prices helped Royal Dutch Shell post a sharp rise in earnings in the first quarter of 2010. Profit jumped to $4.9bn on a current cost of supplies (CCS) basis from $3.3bn last year. There was a strong improvement in upstream profit to $4.4bn, although downstream earnings fell to $743m from $1bn. BP, BG Group and Tullow are also higher.

Pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline's first quarter results revealed turnover that was higher than expected at £7,357m, versus expectations of £7,117m. Earnings per share, excluding restructuring costs, were 30.7p versus Citigroup's forecast of 29.1p. With restructuring costs factored in earnings per share were 30.7p. The dividend has been increased to 15p.

Part-nationalised lenders Lloyds Banking and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) plus fellow High Street bank Barclays are under the cosh due to the findings of an FSA investigation into UK banks' complaints handling procedures.

The FSA has upbraided five UK banks for unacceptable standards in their complaints procedures and is threatening to fine two of the worst offenders among the five. The FSA has declined to name the five banks receiving its opprobrium but HSBC , which traded higher in the morning session, has gone on record to confirm it is not one of them.

RBS is holding its annual general meeting today at which it will report that it has made a good start on the implementation of its strategic plan. The bank will also reveals details of its new Long Term Incentive Plan that will replace the Medium Term Performance Plan and Executive Share Option Plan.

Gold miner Randgold Resources is wanted on expectations that investors will turn to precious metals as havens during an expected period of economic turmoil.

British American Tobacco did well in the first quarter despite weaker volumes, helped by last year's acquisition of Indonesia's Bentoel and currency moves. The world's second largest tobacco company said revenue for the three months grew in constant currency terms across all regions, but volumes dropped to 168bn from 170bn in 2009.

Sales rose but underlying profits fell last year at Home Retail as weak consumer spending and higher product costs put pressure on margins at Argos, though Homebase staged a recovery. Sales rose 2% to £6.02bn in the year to February, but discounts and promotions took their toll on underlying profits, down to £293m from £328m.

Elsewhere in retail floor coverings chain Carpetright warned that UK conditions have continued to be difficult with sales falling slightly below company expectations.

Rolls-Royce remains on track for the full-year after trading in line with expectations since the start of 2010, although business is still challenging and the volcanic eruptions in Iceland haven't helped. Chief executive John Rose still thinks the aircraft engine maker can double revenue over the next decade.

Speciality chemicals supplier Croda reported better than expected first quarter results as robust trading continued and is confident of significant progress for the remainder of the year. Pre-tax profit from continuing operations almost doubled to £42.4m from £21.7m in 2009.

A strong performance from its rail arm has prompted Stagecoach to upgrade its forecasts for the year, with earnings per share now expected to come in at 17.5p at least. The shares trade higher, in contrast to sector peer National Express which has reportedly had to delay a EUR300m euro-denominated bond issue as a result of the turmoil in credit markets following the ratings downgrades yesterday for Greek and Portuguese sovereign debt.

Brewer and pub operator Greene King reported strong trading for the 49 weeks to April 11, with higher sales from its more food-orientated managed operations helping to offset weakness at leased pubs.

Satnav systems supplier Trafficmaster is in discussion over a possible bid, it said today.

Shares in 888 Holdings are lower after the online gambling company said trading has been disappointing in the second quarter so far in casino, poker and bingo operations. Broker KBC Peel Hunt has downgraded the stock from "buy" to "hold".

Industrial conveyor belt maker Fenner has announced a placing to fund acquisitions after posting a rise in pre-tax profits in the six months to February 28 despite lower revenues.

Another company raising funds through a placing is F&C Asset Management , which is raising up to £15m. The company is to buy Thames River Capital for up to £53.6m.

FTSE 100 - Risers
Old Mutual (OML) 116.60p +3.37%
Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,055.50p +2.90%
Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 1,975.00p +2.76%
Randgold Resources (RRS) 5,265.00p +2.13%
BP (BP.) 621.40p +1.87%
BG Group (BG.) 1,087.50p +1.83%
Liberty International (LII) 495.80p +1.56%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 668.40p +0.41%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 1,172.00p +0.34%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,735.00p +0.23%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Centrica (CNA) 300.00p -3.60%
Reed Elsevier (REL) 511.00p -3.58%
WPP Group (WPP) 682.00p -3.26%
Autonomy Corporation (AU.) 1,768.00p -3.02%
Tesco (TSCO) 435.15p -3.01%
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 54.35p -2.95%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 660.50p -2.87%
Wolseley (WOS) 1,599.00p -2.74%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 66.32p -2.71%
Man Group (EMG) 241.30p -2.54%