Why Quindell Portfolio, Centrica, and Blinkx Should Beat the FTSE 100 Today

LONDON -- After a record-breaking five days last week that saw the FTSE 100 soar to new five-and-a-half-year highs, the index of top U.K. companies has slipped back 21 points this morning to 6,604 at the time of writing. Today's dip was driven mainly by the index's big miners, with falls across the sector after weaker Chinese production figures put renewed pressure on metals and minerals prices.

But there are still companies doing well today. Here are three from the various indices that are beating the FTSE today:

Quindell
Quindell Portfolio shares are recovering today, up 27% to 7.6 pence, after mysteriously crashing last week in the days following the software firm's release of expectation-busting results -- between results day on Tuesday and the end of Friday, the price had plunged by 55% to fall as low as 6 pence.

Today the company, which serves the insurance and financial sectors, again responded to press speculation with a firm rejection that there is anything wrong, assuring us that an apparently controversial equity swap represents only a very small proportion of its assets and presents little risk, and that "active shorters" are wrong.

Centrica
Shares in Centrica gained 3.5 pence, or 1.3%, in early trading to reach 381 pence, after a chilly few months led to a surge in gas consumption -- 18% more of the stuff was used in the first four months of 2013 compared to the same period last year. The owner of British Gas says that it will use the benefit of those extra energy sales to help keep prices down.

Centrica expects the full year to be in line with market expectations, suggesting a modest growth in earnings which would put the shares on a P/E of around 13. As with utilities supplies in general, there should be a decent dividend -- of around 4.6%.

Blinkx
Video technologist Blinkx, a constituent of the Fool's Beginners' Portfolio, put on 4.9 pence, or 4.5%, to reach 112 pence after revealing a 73% surge in revenue to $198 million for the year to March 31. The firm, which offers video search and targeted advertising technology, also recorded a near-eight-fold rise in pre-tax profit, to $16.7 million, and saw net cash up 45% to $55.9 million.

Chief executive S. Brian Mukherjee said: "This has been an exciting year for blinkx and we are delighted to report a record performance," and told us that "Based on our capabilities and the fundamentals of the industry, we remain confident in our prospects and opportunities."

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The article Why Quindell Portfolio, Centrica, and Blinkx Should Beat the FTSE 100 Today originally appeared on Fool.com.

Alan Oscroft has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

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