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FTSE steadies after heavy fall Ashtead Group leads FTSE 100 higher
(about 3 hours later)
(Open): After dropping 2% on Tuesday on worries about the situation in Greece, the FTSE rose slightly in early trade. (Noon): The market rose, regaining some of the ground lost on Tuesday when it fell 2% on worries about the situation in Greece.
The benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 16.85 points at 6,546.32. In lunchtime trade, the FTSE 100 index was up 7.94 points at 6,537.41.
Ashtead Group led the risers board in the FTSE 100, climbing 6.4% after the equipment hire firm raised its full-year profits guidance. Ashtead Group was the biggest riser on the index, climbing 8.8% after the equipment hire firm raised its full-year profits guidance.
Ashtead's half-year profits rose by a third to £266m, and it said full-year results would be above forecasts.
BG Group rose at first but then fell back to stand 0.4% lower after it announced it had sold an Australian pipeline network for $5bn (£3.2bn).BG Group rose at first but then fell back to stand 0.4% lower after it announced it had sold an Australian pipeline network for $5bn (£3.2bn).
After falling 6.6% on Tuesday following a profit warning, Tesco shares steadied, edging up 0.1% to 175.10p.After falling 6.6% on Tuesday following a profit warning, Tesco shares steadied, edging up 0.1% to 175.10p.
In the FTSE 250, shares in Stagecoach fell 5% after the transport group said it had lowered its expectations of operating profits from its regional UK bus and US operations. In the FTSE 250, shares in Stagecoach fell nearly 8% after the transport group said it had lowered its expectations of operating profits from its regional UK bus and US operations.
However, Stagecoach added that this should be offset by the share of profit it expects from Virgin Rail Group.However, Stagecoach added that this should be offset by the share of profit it expects from Virgin Rail Group.
On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.15% against the dollar to $1.5692, and edged up 0.05% against the euro to €1.2667. Shares in home shopping group N Brown jumped 7% after the company said sales had risen in October and November after a fall in September.
Serco shares were up 4% after the outsourcing group said it had signed a new five-year contract to continue providing services to the Australian immigration services.
On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.07% against the dollar to $1.5679, and climbed 0.11% against the euro to €1.2675.