London close: HSBC weighs on markets despite strong data
5th Aug 2013 16:32
Worse-than-expected results from the FTSE 100's largest constituent, HSBC, hit markets hard on Monday though losses were limited by some strong economic data from across the globe. The FTSE 100 finished down 28 points at 6,620. Before HSBC's results were released, services data from the UK, Eurozo
Read moreLondon open: Stocks fall ahead of busy week for earnings
22nd Jul 2013 08:23
The FTSE 100 opened slightly lower on Monday morning as investors turned cautious ahead of a busy week for corporate earnings across the globe. Markets are in for a "bumpy ride" this week with nearly a third of S&P 500 companies set to report their quarterly earnings, according to Financial Sales T
Read moreBroker snap: Bank of America upgrades Direct Line to 'buy'
17th May 2013 11:25
Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA) has raised its rating for Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG) from 'neutral' to 'buy', saying it is now its most preferred stock in the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sub-sector. DLG is now the most preferred stock, at 1.2 times estimated 2013 book value wh
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
7th May 2013 07:18
Admiral Group: JP Morgan reduces target price from 1246p to 1108p downgrading to underweight. Afren: Deutsche Bank lowers target price from 165p to 150p, while leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Investec ups target price from 138p to 160p and upgrades from hold to buy. Betfair Group: Numis
Read moreGreggs Chairman shows faith after reporting reduced footfall
2nd May 2013 16:14
The Chairman of Greggs, the FTSE 250 baking group, on Thursday purchased 2,500 shares just a few days after the company warned investors profits are likely to come in at the lower end of the range of market expectations. Derek Netherton's £10,000 purchase saw him buy the shares at 399.9p each, and
Read moreLondon close: Stocks pare gains after US data
1st May 2013 16:40
Disappointing economic from the States saw the FTSE 100 halve its earlier gains by the close on Wednesday as markets waited in anticipation of a policy decision from the Federal Reserve later this evening. The US central bank is widely expected to leave its current stimulus measures unchanged follo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BT leads the way after o2 deal
1st May 2013 14:52
BT Group shares were leading the risers on Wednesday after signing a 10-year deal with o2 to create a new 4G network worth in the region of 500m pounds. Speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey has made strong gains after a positive update from Credit Suisse said that weaker platinum prices have
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks extend gains ahead of Fed decision
1st May 2013 11:27
The FTSE 100 was taking advantage of low volumes on Wednesday morning, registering decent gains by lunchtime as other stock markets across Europe remained closed for the May Day public holiday. A slowdown in Chinese manufacturing growth didn't have too much of an effect on markets early on as trade
Read moreLondon open: Miners shrug off disappointing Chinese data
1st May 2013 08:21
A slowdown in Chinese manufacturing growth didn't have too much of an effect on stock markets on Wednesday morning as traders showed optimism in anticipation of a continuation of monetary stimulus from the US and a rate cut in Europe this week. Nevertheless, volumes are expected to be low today giv
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Admiral, AstraZeneca
26th Apr 2013 08:41
With the motor market under a great deal of regulatory and political scrutiny, The Times' Tempus column has recommended investors to stay clear of Admiral following its 'unimpressive' trading statement on Thursday. The paper said that Admiral gave its critics plenty of ammunition yesterday, reveali
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Apr 2013 07:24
Admiral Group: HB Markets initiates with a buy recommendation. AstraZeneca: Deutsche Bank takes target price from 3100p to 3160p and leaves its hold recommendation unchanged. Avon Rubber: Investec upgrades from hold to add with a target price of 420p. Betfair Group: Citigroup raises target price
Read moreLondon close: Markets underwhelmed by strong growth figures
25th Apr 2013 17:00
UK growth figures prompted a mixed reaction on stock markets on Thursday as stronger-than-expected activity in the first quarter quashed hopes that the Bank of England (BoE) would ramp up its quantitative easing programme in order to kick-start the economy. Nevertheless, data from the States lifted
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners lead the risers
25th Apr 2013 15:23
Mining stocks rose on Thursday on the back of rising metal prices, led by Randgold Resources, Antofagasta, Vedanta, ENRC, and Polymetal. Heading the other way was consumer good group Unilever after it had to rely on robust growth from emerging markets as it grew marginally slower than expectations
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall as GDP data quashes stimulus hopes
25th Apr 2013 11:46
Better-than-expected growth figures from the UK underwhelmed stock markets on Thursday morning, tempering hopes that the Bank of England (BoE) would ease policy to boost the economy. Stocks have risen strongly over the past few days after a number of disappointing economic figures from the Eurozone
Read moreBroker tips: Vodafone, AstraZeneca, Admiral
25th Apr 2013 10:51
A potential offer by Verizon (VZ) for Vodafone's stake in their US wireless joint venture would have to increase substantially to please the British telecom group's shareholders, according to Jefferies. Jefferies said: "The glaring issue raised by last night's [Reuters] article is of course price.
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