UK: Shares in First Choice jump as investors hope for an end to hostilities
All eyes were on the momentous events in Iraq yesterday, while London’s equity markets barely moved in the light of Gordon Brown’s Budget speech.
The FTSE 100 index lost just 0.2 per cent of its value yesterday, closing down 7.4 points at 3861.4, though it had moved ahead earlier in the day on positive news from Baghdad. Turnover was moderate, with 2.2 billion shares traded.
British Airways was one of the biggest losers of the day, losing 5.75p to end the day at 115.25p, while its rival EasyJet also had a negative session, closing at 220p after losing 6.75p. Ryanair fared better and gained 5.5p for a 461p finish.
First Choice had a great day, gaining 5.5p to end the day at 89.5p, though the stock still languishes a long way short of its 12-month high of 137p. MyTravel had another positive session and put on a penny for a closing price of 12.25p.
