In London on Monday, the FTSE 100 added 0.5 percent to 5,626.1, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.2 percent to 9,114.1. Trade was light, with just barely over 2 billion shares changing hands during the day. Light trade is expected to last throughout the week as investors are distracted by the World Cup.
Among media companies, ITV - down 17 percent since March, when it rejected an offer from a private equity consortium - was up slightly to 105¼p on the possibility that it might announce an increased share buyback and more cost-cutting measures on Wednesday. Elsewhere in the sector, BSkyB gained 2.3 percent to 564p on positive comments from Lehman Brothers. EMI added 2.8 percent to 278¾p when Credit Suisse raised the music group’s target share price from 300p to 310p. In addition, there was talk that EMI might revise its offer for Warner Music.
Hotel operator De Vere added 3 percent to 824p on weekend reports that said four different bidders have expressed interest. The latest possible bidder named is Richard Balfour-Lynn, the head of Marylebone Warwick Balfour, which gained 3.3 percent to 189½p.
In the insurance sector, Royal Sun & Alliance was up 2.8 percent to 126½p on the news that it will eliminate 1,550 jobs as a cost-cutting measure. Prudential added 3.2 percent to 566p. In addition, Friends Provident was up to 174¾p, while Legal & General climbed to 125¾p.