Flat would be the simplest way of describing the trend in share price movements in the month to 12 July. The FTSE All-Share Index made very little progress adding 1.5% to its previous month’s figure. The MSFI Index of listed marcoms companies’ share prices moved gently in the opposite direction to 33.6 (Jan 2001: 100) losing almost 3% of its value.
Within the overall trends were some more extreme movements of share prices of a few companies. Shares in Aegis Group gained ground on the assumption that a buyer would be found for its Synovate research division that has been something of a drag on the group’s performance (see Aegis gives exclusivity to Ipsos talks).
Hasgrove continued the steady upward price movement enjoyed in recent months. Digital newcomers dotDigital and Fuse8 both recovered some of the ground lost in previous months, while by contrast expectations that shares in Porta Communications would burst into life with a string of acquisitions remained unfulfilled.
Most of the other well established groups showed very little price movement at all, although Creston lost some of the previous month’s gain. Shares in Ten Alps were depressed by the poor results announced this month (see Cannock leaves Ten Alps after £22m loss) and shares in Cello also continued to lose value after the announcement of lost clients in its research operation (see Cello’s research business hit by client losses).
