Investors like Facebook during big week of results

Stuart Welch, CEO, TD Direct Investing comments on the key findings from investor buys and sells: "Facebook (FB) was among TD's top ten most popular international buys this week ahead of its announcement yesterday (1 May) that its first quarter net profit reached $219mn - a third of which was generated by mobile advertising revenue.  Our clients appeared to buy ahead of what they perhaps anticipated would be a positive update, with Facebook moving to fifth place in the international buys as a new entrant. Overall, the more positive outlook in general for DIY investors has seen an increase of 16% in trading among our clients in Q1 this year when compared to the previous quarter.

"The week ending Monday 29 April saw the FTSE 100 rise from 6,280.62 points to 6,458.02 ahead a series of results announcements in the UK, including positive earnings from Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) and BP (BP) announced on Tuesday - and news of expected European Central Bank rate cuts. The FTSE 100 has risen by nearly 10% since the start of 2013 and Lloyds has been one of the star performers during this period. Sells for Lloyds outnumbered buys by over 2:1 on the week.

"In other results news, Balfour Beatty (BBY) this week issued its second profit warning in six months, noting that it has been hit by the construction slowdown. Entering the client buys tables in fifth place, the company's shares fell 17.4% in the week ending Monday 29 April to close the period at 212.66p."