3 Shares Set to Beat the FTSE 100 Today

LONDON -- Having gone past the 6,300-point mark last week, the FTSE 100 closed on Friday at 6,263, then rose this morning to reach 6,279 by 9 a.m. EST.

The year has started well, though many predict that the recent bull run could be brought to a stop soon. Still, even if the FTSE isn't heading for yet another new high today, plenty of individual shares are on the way up. Here are three responding well to good news.

Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill has soared 26% to 5.49 pence on news that its wholly owned subsidiary Minas Moatize Limitadahas entered into an interim rail-access agreement in Mozambique's Sena rail line, with a capacity allocation of 0.5 million tonnes per annum. MML will become the third major coal-exporter to utilize the Sena Line sharing capacity with existing coal-exporters Rio Tinto and Vale.

Fidessa
Fidessa Group is climbing 4.8% to hit 1,600 pence. This follows the release of the company's preliminary results for the year ending Dec. 31, 2012, which saw multiasset revenue more than double thanks to its derivatives program, while there was further growth in recurring revenue, bringing it up to 84% of total revenue. A total dividend of 82 pence was proposed for the year, up on 79 pence from the previous year.

Essar Energy
Essar Energy is the third of our climbers today, rising 2.6% to reach 144.6 pence, having reported decent growth in its Q3 interim management statement. Its Vadinar refinery saw a 77% increase in throughput in the third quarter, up from 20.5 million barrels at the same stage last year to 36.32 million. The refinery's current price gross refining margins remained strong at $9.75 per barrel, up 246% against $2.82 in the same quarter a year earlier.

Whether you take income to live on or reinvest it in more shares, there's nothing wrong with good old cash, whatever your strategy. And that's why I recommend our new special free report "The Motley Fool's Top Income Share For 2013," in which our top analysts identify a share that they believe will provide handsome dividend income for years to come. But it will only be available for a limited period, so click here to get your copy today.

The article 3 Shares Set to Beat the FTSE 100 Today originally appeared on Fool.com.

Sam Robson has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Fidessa Group. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.