London close: Retailers provide a lift as inflation data boosts economic hopes
13th Jan 2015 16:48
UK stocks put in decent gains on Tuesday as a sharper-than-expected slowdown in inflation boosted hopes for consumer spending and pushed back projections for the first rate raise. A strong start to corporate earnings season in the States and increased hopes for further stimulus by the European Centr
Read moreSector movers: Morrisons, Greggs and ASOS lead retailers higher
13th Jan 2015 14:56
The exit of frontman Dalton Philips at Wm Morrison and signs of improving sales trends at the UK grocer were welcomed by the market on Tuesday, with food retailers topping the risers list in London. Well-received trading updates from the likes of Greggs also provided a boost to the food sector, whil
Read moreLondon midday: Retailers rise, housebuilders boosted as UK inflation rate drops
13th Jan 2015 12:08
A sharp drop in the UK inflation rate and well-received updates from a number of Britain's retailers gave London stocks a boost on Tuesday. The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.6% at 6,539 just after midday with retailers and housebuilders offsetting ongoing weakness in the resources sector. Markets were
Read moreLondon open: Retailers boost market ahead of inflation data, Morrison jumps
13th Jan 2015 08:57
Well-received updates from a host of retailers were giving UK stock markets a boost on Tuesday morning, as investors awaited some key inflation data. The FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 6,514 early on with Wm Morrison leading the rise. Data due out at 09:30 is forecast to show that the annual rate of consu
Read moreASOS shares jump as retailer reports rise in Christmas trading, driven by UK sales
13th Jan 2015 08:12
ASOS reported a 15% rise in retail sales over Christmas, driven by UK demand. The British online fashion retailer said British sales in the six weeks to 9 January jumped 27%. Retail gross margin was down around 200 basis points on the prior year but lower prices helped to grow international sales b
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Asos, Iomart
10th Dec 2014 10:09
When something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Shares of on-line fashion retailer Asos are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.3 versus a rating of between 30-35 times profits for well-established and successful technology firms such as ARM Holdings. Furthermore, while the company
Read moreBroker tips: Tesco, Lloyds, ASOS
9th Dec 2014 12:19
A surprise profit warning from Tesco on Tuesday sent its share price plummeting, though analysts still see more downside to the stock which has already halved since the start of the year. "Unfortunately, there remains only one constant amidst the turbulence, which is the market consensus. This remai
Read moreASOS delivers in-line Q1, but analysts recommend investors 'hold'
9th Dec 2014 11:39
An in-line trading statement from online fashion retailer ASOS wasn't enough to change analysts' opinions on Tuesday as a number of brokerages remained on the fence about the stock. Peel Hunt, The Share Centre and Cantor Fitzgerald all retained their 'hold' recommendations, citing valuation concerns
Read moreAsos sees sales slow down despite Black Friday lift
9th Dec 2014 08:59
Online fashion retailer Asos saw its shares drop lower on Tuesday after reporting "challenging" trading conditions in the international markets during the first quarter of its financial year. However, the slowdown in sales during September and October eased in the final weekend of November, which wa
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: FCA, Tesco, Chinese stocks
8th Dec 2014 08:27
Several senior executives at the Financial Conduct Authority will have to do without their bonuses. The decision was taken in anticipation of a report prepared by Clifford Chance, to be released on Wednesday, which will heavily criticise them for a blunder which hit the share prices of big insurers
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Aviva-Friends Life, Coutts, Quindell
23rd Nov 2014 18:15
Clive Cowdery, whose Resolution acquisition vehicle bought Friends Provident in 2009, will make about £160m from Aviva's takeover of Friends Life, the Sunday Times said. The roles of chairman, chief executive and finance director at the combined company will go to the Aviva incumbents, according to
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
12th Nov 2014 09:07
Aberdeen: UBS lowers target price from 465p to 450p and downgrades from buy to neutral. ASOS: Societe Generale reduces target price from 5000p to 4450p, while leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. BG Group: Deutsche Bank reduces target price from 1400p to 1300p and keeps a buy recommendation.
Read moreMonday broker round-up
10th Nov 2014 15:34
RBS: Nomura reiterates reduce but lifts target price to 370p from 360p. IAG: Liberum reiterates buy, maintaining 550p target. Royal Dutch Shell: JP Morgan reiterates overweight stance but cuts target to 2,500p from 2,700p. Aveva: Westhouse Securities reiterates add and its target price of 1,780p.
Read moreBroker tips: Serco, Asos, Genel Energy, Aveva
10th Nov 2014 12:45
Analysts showed their disappointment with a poorly-received statement from Serco on Monday, as the outsourcing company announced a profit warning, £1.5bn of write-downs, and a proposed a rights issue. Oriel Securities analysts said the update "provides some colour on the future shape of the group".
Read moreCiti downgrades Asos, prefers Boohoo
10th Nov 2014 11:30
Even though the online apparel retail market has "substantial structural growth potential", Citigroup has cut its rating for Asos from 'buy' to 'neutral' following recent share-price strength. "Online apparel retail is still in early growth phase. Mobile internet evolution, increasingly convenient p
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