LONDON -- What's better than a rising FTSE 100 (UKX)?
Owning shares that are rising faster than the FTSE!
Here are three blue-chip winners from the last 30 days.
1. Lloyds Banking
Lloyds Banking (LLOY 0.28%) has advanced 14% to almost 47 pence during the last four weeks or so, in part due to very positive Q3 results.
The bank saw its underlying profit increase by a staggering 148% to just over 1.9 billion pounds, and managed to reduce its costs by 5%.
Lloyds did, however, post a statutory loss of 583 million pounds, which included a further PPI provision of 1 billion pounds during the third quarter.
2. ITV
The last 30 days have seen the shares of ITV (ITV +0.81%) climb 14% to 99 pence.
This advance follows the release of an interim management statement that detailed the progress of the broadcaster's much-heralded "transformation plan."
The statement also revealed total group revenues up 4% to 1.6 billion pounds, which were helped in part by ITV's Studios division posting a 20% gain to its own top line. The broadcaster also stated that total cost savings would be around 30 million pounds for 2012, some 10 million pounds ahead of the firm's original target.
Commenting on the results, chief executive Adam Crozier said: "We have maintained our focus on cash and costs. Our financial position is strong, with positive net cash of [90 million pounds]. Over the full year... we will again outperform the television advertising market."
3. Resolution
Rallying 14% to 238 pence, Resolution (LSE: RSL) has been among the FTSE 100's main gainers since this time in October.
Like Lloyds and ITV, the gains may be due to the release of solid financial progress within a Q3 statement.
"New business profitability" was cited as having a particularly strong nine months, with the figures showing an increase from 95 million pounds to 138 million pounds. In addition, the firm's cost-savings target for 2015 was raised from 143 million pounds to 160 million pounds.
Andy Briggs, Resolution's chief executive designate, said:
Overall, these results demonstrate our continued momentum, with the Group delivering significantly improved new business profitability despite the challenges in the wider economy. The capital position remains robust and I am pleased with the success of our recent debt offering which has enhanced our financial flexibility and further de-risked cash flow to shareholders.
More potential winners
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