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-36366806

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

Version 0 Version 1
Kingfisher shares rise after 'solid' sales Pound and FTSE 100 head higher
(about 4 hours later)
(Open): The FTSE 100 fell, but shares in Screwfix and B&Q owner Kingfisher were higher after it posted an increase in first-quarter sales to £2.7bn. (Noon): The FTSE 100 rose, with shares in Kingfisher up after "solid" first-quarter sales, while the pound jumped after the latest EU referendum poll.
Kingfisher said it had seen a "solid" start to the year with like-for-like sales up 3.6%, with Screwfix sales up 16.2%. The company's shares rose 2%. By midday, the FTSE 100 index was up 46.44 points at 6,182.87.
Screwfix and B&Q owner Kingfisher rose 2.3% after it reported an increase in first-quarter sales to £2.7bn.
Kingfisher said it had seen a "solid" start to the year with like-for-like sales up 3.6%, with Screwfix sales up 16.2%.
In the UK and Ireland sales rose 6.2%, helped by a 16.2% jump at Screwfix.In the UK and Ireland sales rose 6.2%, helped by a 16.2% jump at Screwfix.
However, in France, where its brands include Castorama and Brico Depot, like-for-like sales edged up just 0.2%.However, in France, where its brands include Castorama and Brico Depot, like-for-like sales edged up just 0.2%.
In early trade, the FTSE 100 index was 23.11 points lower at 6,113.32. In the FTSE 250, shares in Entertainment One - the firm behind the Peppa Pig children's TV series - fell 1.4% despite it reporting a 9% rise in full-year profits £48m.
Shares in water company Severn Trent rose 0.6%. The firm reported a 3.2% dip in underlying profits to £523m. On the currency markets, the pound rose sharply after a poll in the Daily Telegraph suggested the "Remain" camp was well ahead of the "Leave" campaign ahead of the EU referendum.
In the FTSE 250, shares in Entertainment One - the firm behind the Peppa Pig children's TV series - fell more than 4% despite it reporting a 9% rise in full-year profits £48m. Sterling continued to gain as Bank of England governor Mark Carney appeared before the Treasury select committee.
On the currency markets, the pound was flat against the dollar at $1.4487, and 0.1% higher against the euro at €1.2926. The pound was up by more than one cent against the dollar at $1.4602, and rose by more than one and a half euro cents against the euro to €1.3062.