LONDON -- The FTSE 100
But indexes are just the aggregates of their constituent companies, so let's take a look at three from the various indexes that are set to beat the FTSE today.
Standard Life
Standard Life gained on good interim news, up 6.4% to 273 pence, with the key details being a rise in assets under management to 204.2 billion (from 198.4 billion pounds at the end of 2011) and a nice 6.5% lift in the interim dividend to 4.9 pence per share.
David Nish, chief executive of the insurance, pensions, and investment company, told us: "We have delivered increased profits, cash flow and dividends and we are achieving ongoing improvements in operational and financial performance."
Current forecasts suggest a 5.6% dividend this year and 6% next, and these results lend confidence to those expectations.
Centamin
The shiny stuff seems to be creeping back into the news, as midterm results from Centamin sent the shares up 2.3% to 70.2 pence.
The Egypt-based gold miner saw second-quarter production at its Sukari mine reach a record of 67,422 ounces, up 40% on the same period last year. Even if the gold price is a bit flat these days, at an average selling price of $1,610 per ounce, Centamin's total production cost of $729 per ounce left plenty of room for profit.
Forecasts for the full year put the shares on a low price-to-earnings ratio of just 6.1, falling even further to 4.5 for next year -- but that is entirely dependent on the market price of something that really has little functional value.
Anglo Pacific
Anglo Pacific, which owns mining resources and leases them out, lost 1.9% to 245 pence upon the release of interim figures that showed an expected fall of royalty revenue to 6.9 million pounds from a restated 16.3 million pounds for the first half last year.
But everything was pretty much as expected, with chairman Peter Boycott telling us that "with the uncertain outlook for parts of the world economy, favourable conditions exist for acquiring additional royalties." As the firm has cash on its books and no debt, we should presumably be keeping our eyes peeled for acquisitions.
The interim dividend was lifted by 4.7% to 4.45 pence, with full-year forecasts predicting a 4% yield.
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