The FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE) is looking positive today on the back of US markets reaching new highs yesterday, with the index of top UK stocks up 31 points to 6,574 approaching midday. If this keeps up, we’ll be looking at another positive week, with the FTSE so far up 199 points since last Friday’s close.
But which companies are not keeping up with it? Here are three from the FTSE indices that are slipping back today:
Experian
Experian shares lost 21p (1.8%) this morning to 1,178p, despite a decent-looking first-quarter update from the credit-rating agency. Overall revenue for the three months to 30 June rose by 7%, with the Latin America region leading the way with a 10% rise. The firm told us that “For the full year, we continue to expect mid-to-high single-digit organic revenue growth, modestly improved margins (at constant currency) and cash flow conversion of at least 90%“.
Despite today’s small fall, Experian shares are still up around 25% over the past year, with a forecast 7% rise in earnings per share putting the shares on a P/E of over 19.
Centrica
Centrica (LSE: CNA) suffered a minor blip today, dropping 1.4p to 372p, after announcing an acquisition. The firm’s American subsidiary Direct Energy is to buy up Bounce Energy of Texas for $46m. Bounce Energy is a retail supplier of electricity with more than 80,000 residential customers, mainly in its home state.
Today’s fall comes on a mixed day for energy suppliers, with National Grid up a bit and and SSE dipping.
Scancell
Scancell Holdings (LSE: SCLP), the cancer immunotherapy researcher, suffered a setback today after one of three patients taking part in a higher-dose study of its SCIB1 treatment has had to be excluded after a fault in the equipment delivering the drug. The firm will now try to identify a new patient to continue its search for a “maximally tolerated dose” of SCIB1.
Scancell shares had more then trebled in price over the previous 12 months, before the announcement of a new share issue of £6.5m on annual results day on 9 July sent them plunging to a gain of just 50% over the year.
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> Alan does not own any shares mentioned in this article.
