BT Share News (BT.A)

A raft of good results has boosted Footsie today. Scientific journals and magazines publisher Reed Elsevier says advertising and promotion markets are stabilising as underlying revenues increased 1% in the first half. AstraZeneca's potential blockbuster heart drug Brilinta has received the backing of a US advisory panel just as the drug giant increased 2010 earnings targets for a second time this year following a strong performance from emerging markets and key drugs in the second quarter. BT reported a 17% rise in pre-tax profits in the first quarter and reiterated its full year outlook. The firm also said that it is in talks with the government over plans to cut public spending. Defence firm BAE Systems continues to expect revenue growth in 2010 despite the threat of cutbacks in government spending. The company saw sales grow 9% in the first half of 2010 to £10,643m. On a like-for-like basis, sales increased 7%. Underlying earnings before interest, tax and amortisation improved 14% to £1,114m.Pearson is acquiring spoken English training firm Wall Street Institute for $92m. The fallers have a similar look to yesterday. Rexam, Invensys, BG Group and Compass have all continued their declines. FTSE 100 - RisersReed Elsevier (REL) 560.50p +5.36%AstraZeneca (AZN) 3,343.50p +4.40%BT Group (BT.A) 145.30p +3.86%Kazakhmys (KAZ) 1,238.00p +3.43%Aviva (AV.) 370.00p +3.12%Old Mutual (OML) 125.40p +2.87%BAE Systems (BA.) 325.10p +2.56%WPP Group (WPP) 691.00p +2.29%Prudential (PRU) 564.00p +2.27%Pearson (PSON) 1,021.00p +2.10%FTSE 100 - FallersRexam (REX) 316.10p -3.51%Unilever (ULVR) 1,826.00p -2.09%Tullow Oil (TLW) 1,265.00p -1.56%British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,210.00p -1.45%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 536.00p -1.29%Invensys (ISYS) 275.60p -1.25%BG Group (BG.) 1,027.50p -1.15%Associated British Foods (ABF) 1,035.00p -0.86%Compass Group (CPG) 537.50p -0.83%Inmarsat (ISAT) 750.50p -0.79%