FTSE 100 movers: Associated British Foods climbs after cheering 'magnificent' year for Primark
4th Nov 2014 16:23
Full-year earnings and dividends from Associated British Foods were up 6% on the prior year despite revenues falling 3%. Shares were higher after the company reported a "magnificent" year for its Primark clothing chain, where operating profits jumped 30%. Cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco gained as i
Read moreLondon close: Markets spring leak as oil prices tumble
4th Nov 2014 16:13
The falling price of crude oil and precious metals left markets struggling to get a grip on Tuesday. The price of a barrel of US light crude fell nearly 3% to about $76.5 a barrel and Brent crude dipped below the $83 mark, dragging the FTSE 100 Index down 34 points at 6453.97. World gold prices are
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase gains after UK construction data, Eurozone growth forecasts
4th Nov 2014 11:25
A slowdown in UK construction expansion and downgrades to Eurozone growth forecasts hit UK stocks on Tuesday morning, with the FTSE 100 having erased early gains by lunchtime. Well-received results from Imperial Tobacco, Associated British Foods and Legal & General weren't enough to prop up the benc
Read moreLondon open: FTSE rises as earnings impress, but oil stocks fall
4th Nov 2014 08:31
The UK stock market opened tentatively on Tuesday, with declines in the energy sector offsetting some well-received results from blue chips Legal & General, Associated British Foods and Imperial Tobacco. The FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 6,503 in early deals. However, upside was being limited by falls fr
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to move lower after drop in Asian markets
4th Nov 2014 07:17
UK indices are expected to track declines seen in Asia overnight thanks to weakened Chinese manufacturing data out over the weekend. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 17 points lower than yesterday's close of 6,487.97. "Asian shares were mainly trading negatively throughout the nig
Read moreAssociated British Foods hails 'magnificent' Primark
4th Nov 2014 07:06
Full-year earnings and dividends from Associated British Foods were up 6% on the prior year as the company predicted a slight increase in earnings in the new financial year due to dwindling sugar profits. Revenues in the 52 weeks to 13 September fell 3% to £12.9bn in actual terms but rose 1% at cons
Read moreLondon close: Weak Eurozone manufacturing data drag shares lower
3rd Nov 2014 15:24
Weak European manufacturing data dragged London shares lower on Monday despite a rise in the sector's fortunes in the UK. The Eurozone Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for October fell to 50.6 from 50.7 previously with both Germany and Italy declining while France improved sligh
Read moreShore Capital says 'hold' ABF despite US store deal for Primark
20th Oct 2014 15:08
Shore Capital is keeping its 'hold' recommendation on Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) despite a deal with US department store group Sears to open Primark shops in the US. ABF has entered into leases with Sears to open seven stand-alone Primark shops across the north-east US, with the fi
Read moreBroker tips: Randgold, AB Foods, Smith & Nephew, Mining stocks
13th Oct 2014 12:57
Randgold Resources' share price was given a lift on Monday by analysts at UBS who upgraded the stock from 'neutral' to 'buy' after a recent slump in the value of the gold miner. The bank said that it still prefers precious metals peer Fresnillo over Randgold, but reckons that the risk/reward balance
Read moreSociete Generale highlights buying opportunity at Primark owner AB Foods
13th Oct 2014 12:16
The recent pullback in the share price of Associated British Foods (ABF) presents an opportunity for investors to buy into the growth story at low-cost fashion retailer Primark, according to Societe Generale. The French bank has upgraded its stance on the food and retail group from 'hold' to 'buy' f
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
13th Oct 2014 09:32
Amino Technologies: Northland Capital upgrades to buy with a target price of 100p. Anglo American: Canaccord Genuity initiates with a target price of 1720p and a buy recommendation. Credit Suisse upgrades to outperform with a target price of 1800p. Associated British Foods: Societe Generale upgrade
Read moreLondon midday: Ebola fears, macro concerns hit UK stocks
8th Oct 2014 11:34
Fears about a possible Ebola outbreak in Europe and continued concerns about the global economy were weighing on UK stocks on Wednesday. The FTSE 100 was down 0.3% at 6,475 by around midday with cyclical stocks and airlines providing a drag. Risk appetite was also being held back by nervousness ahe
Read moreBroker tips: BAE Systems, Associated British Foods, Tesco
30th Sep 2014 17:04
Shares of aerospace engineer BAE Systems have run up by 12% relative to the Footsie over the past quarter, but it's time to sell, say analysts at Westhouse Securities. Thus, the firm can be expected to benefit from weakness in sterling. However, several negative aspects seen in recent reporting peri
Read moreCredit Suisse upgrades Associated British Foods to 'outperform'
30th Sep 2014 16:19
As emerging market economies continue to slow and the developed world takes centre stage it is hard to find a better structural growth story than Primark, analysts at Credit Suisse explained to clients on Tuesday. In their opinion the 2015/16 year should see a significant increase in earnings per sh
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
30th Sep 2014 09:50
Aberdeen: Goldman Sachs ups target price from 540p to 560pp retaining a buy recommendation. African Barrick Gold: Deutsche Bank moves target price from 270p to 280p and reiterates a hold recommendation. Investec lowers target price from 260p to 258p, while upgrading to buy. African Minerals: Invest
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