Marks & Spencer Share News (MKS)

Stocks have edged higher in early dealings, with the retail sector in focus following quarterly sales figures from Marks & Spencer that were not as bad as expected.High street stalwart M&S saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, though the fall wasn't as severe as expected and overall sales growth was maintained. General merchandise sales were down by 3.4% from the same period last year, which was not as bad as some analysts estimates of a more than 5% decline. Food sales were up by 3.4% on a like-for-like basis, resulting in overall like-for-like sales growth of 0.1%.The shares are higher, as are those in rival retailers such as fashion chain Next, department store Debenhams and supermarket Tesco.Financial software provider Misys is wanted after it reported a 7% rise in year on year revenue in the third quarter ended 28 February 2011, following strong demand for its products, and said it was poised to meet medium-term targets. Revenue during the third quarter rose to £85m while year to date the figure rose 2%. Order intake rose 34% to £49m and 13% year to date. Drugs firm Shire has filed a lawsuit against US rival Watson Pharmaceuticals, claiming an infringement of Shire's ADDERALL XR patents, and a breach of contract.The squeezed British consumer still has enough cash to spare for inexpensive meals out, judging by Italian restaurant chain Prezzo's full-year results. Adjusted pre-tax profits in the 53 weeks to 2 January were up by 12% from the previous year to £14.4m on revenues that climbed by 15% to £104.8m. Prezzo also reported a strong start to 2011 and said it is confident for the year ahead.Norwegian Airlines has ordered its first ever Rolls-Royce engines. Norwegian has selected Rolls-Royce's Trent 100 engines to power nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline has also signed a $450m Rolls-Royce TotalCare long-term engine services contract.FTSE 100 - RisersMarks & Spencer Group (MKS) 355.60p +4.53%Vedanta Resources (VED) 2,598.00p +3.18%TUI Travel (TT.) 235.70p +3.15%Next (NXT) 2,092.00p +3.00%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,335.00p +2.11%Fresnillo (FRES) 1,655.00p +2.10%International Power (IPR) 317.10p +1.67%Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,228.00p +1.49%Kingfisher (KGF) 261.80p +1.47%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 42.25p +1.39%FTSE 100 - FallersPearson (PSON) 1,122.00p -2.09%Capita Group (CPI) 729.00p -0.48%Invensys (ISYS) 342.60p -0.41%Wolseley (WOS) 2,156.00p -0.32%BAE Systems (BA.) 332.90p -0.30%AstraZeneca (AZN) 2,899.50p -0.24%SABMiller (SAB) 2,265.50p -0.22%Essar Energy (ESSR) 468.00p -0.21%Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,535.00p -0.20%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,667.50p -0.18%FTSE 250 - RisersThomas Cook Group (TCG) 175.60p +4.46%Shanks Group (SKS) 119.00p +4.39%Kesa Electricals (KESA) 116.20p +3.94%Misys (MSY) 338.80p +3.93%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 12.14p +2.88%Debenhams (DEB) 62.60p +2.88%Home Retail Group (HOME) 212.70p +2.21%St. Modwen Properties (SMP) 175.60p +2.09%Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,705.00p +2.08%Betfair Group (BET) 1,050.00p +1.94%FTSE 250 - FallersMoneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 88.05p -3.03%Afren (AFR) 167.10p -2.39%JPMorgan American Inv Trust (JAM) 885.00p -1.99%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 39.48p -1.89%Phoenix Group Holdings (DI) (PHNX) 663.00p -1.78%Bodycote (BOY) 334.00p -1.74%Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,707.00p -1.73%Savills (SVS) 374.40p -1.65%London & Stamford Property Ltd. (LSP) 129.50p -1.52%Barratt Developments (BDEV) 110.70p -1.42%