London midday: Banks lift Footsie on euro optimism
5th Dec 2011 12:00
Hopes that leaders can bring an end to the euro crisis lifted markets on Monday. Many believe that it is now make-or-break time for the single currency, echoing remarks made last week by Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn that the continent had just 10 days to save the euro. The de
Read moreBroker tips: TUI Travel, Michael Page, ASOS
5th Dec 2011 10:45
Despite hitting an intraday high of 185.57p in the opening minutes, gains for TUI Travel have been pared in morning trade. Evolution Securities has released its analysis of the travel company's full-year results, in which it maintained its sell rating. Evolution analyst James Hollins said: "Looking
Read moreBroker snap: Peel Hunt upgrades ASOS to buy
5th Dec 2011 10:43
Peel Hunt has upgraded its rating for ASOS from hold to buy, saying that the recent share price weakness provides a "rare buying opportunity for a leading global online growth retailer." "The UK market is far from mature, while international growth potential looks as strong as ever, before we take
Read moreMonday broker round-up - UPDATE
5th Dec 2011 08:45
Kingfisher: Credit Suisse raises price target to 310p from 295p, outperform rating kept. Berkeley Group: Credit Suisse raises target to 1,225p from 1,079p, maintains neutral. Berkeley Group: UBS raises target to 1,530p from 1,480p. BG Group: UBS ups price target to 1,635p from 1,600p, stays at
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Shaftesbury, Cineworld, Christmas shares
1st Dec 2011 07:06
The Tempus column in The Times ponders which stocks would fit into a share portfolio consisting of stocks exposed to London and the South East only, and suggests that one would be Shaftesbury, the property company whose assets consist almost entirely of shops, restaurants and bars in the West End. I
Read moreWednesday broker round-up - UPDATE
9th Nov 2011 09:58
Admiral: Nomura puts buy rating and 1,900p target under review Admiral: Investec keeps sell rating and 843p target. HSBC: Evolutions Securities keeps sell rating and 650p target. British American Tobacco: Alpha Value downgrades to reduce from add. Regus: Credit Suisse upgrades from neutral to o
Read moreASOS reports 66% profit surge
3rd Nov 2011 10:50
Online clothing firm ASOS posted a 66% rise in half year profit and enviable sales growth as strong overseas demand overshadowed a weaker UK performance. The group, which sells fashion to 16-34 year olds, said profit before tax and exceptional items rose to £11.7m for the 6 months ended 30 Septembe
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish amid euro optimism
14th Oct 2011 16:46
The top share index closed off earlier highs but still buoyant ahead of the weekend amid optimism after Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund lifted sentiment. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise after Slovak vote
14th Oct 2011 12:18
The top share index is buoyant after Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund lifted sentiment. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), was approved by Slovak MPs, two days after they voted against the
Read moreUPDATE: Friday broker round-up
14th Oct 2011 08:59
Renishaw: finnCap downgrades from buy to hold, cuts target from 1,775p to 940p. Renishaw: UBS slashes target from 1,350p to 900p, neutral recommendation maintained. Renishaw: Singer Capital Markets slashes target from 1,350p to 900p, fair value rating kept. Royal Bank of Scotland: Evolution Secur
Read moreLondon open: Footsie flat early on
14th Oct 2011 08:35
The Footsie has opened flat despite expectations that Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund would give a boost to equities early on. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), was approved by Slovak MP
Read moreASOS sees slowing sales in second quarter
14th Oct 2011 07:28
Second quarter revenue at online fashion retailer ASOS was an impressive 49% ahead of the same period last year, but the rate of growth did slow down from the 63% increase seen in the first quarter. As such, revenue in the six months ended 30 September was 56% higher than the year before at £217.26
Read moreFriday preview: ASOS under pressure to maintain frenetic growth
13th Oct 2011 15:55
Online clothing firm ASOS updates the market. As fashion chain Supergroup has recently demonstrated, when the market begins to lose faith in a growth company's ability to maintain its frenetic growth rate, the damage to the share price can be swift and painful. As recently as the start of August, th
Read moreWeek Ahead: Recruiters, ASOS
7th Oct 2011 11:30
Recruiter Hays Group updated the market earlier this week and next week it is the turn of sector peers Michael Page and Robert Walters. Michael Page saw its share price tank in August when it warned of a slow-down in profit growth in the banking sector, and things are unlikely to have improved in t
Read moreBroker snap: Singer upgrades ASOS to buy
3rd Oct 2011 14:07
Singer Capital Markets has upgraded online-only fashion retailer ASOS from fair value to buy following the stock's recent weak performance. The broker notes that the shares have fallen by around 40% from the recent June high of 2,468p. "However, disruptive factors should be behind them now, and wi
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