Broker snap: Credit Suisse upbeat about life insurance sector
15th Jan 2014 10:21
Credit Suisse has upgraded its rating for Standard Life from 'neutral' to 'outperform' as part of its review into the European insurance sector. The bank said that insurers' valuations have largely recovered to more "normal levels" after two years of strong sector performance on receding macro conc
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Randgold and retailers make gains
2nd Jan 2014 15:16
Randgold Resources made strong gains this afternoon, helped by a jump in the price of gold of more than two per cent. Rob Cohen, the Lead Portfolio Manager with Dynamic Funds, was also quoted as saying the company was a "good position to do acquisitions" and has a "really good balance sheet". Ha
Read moreLondon close: Stocks surge to two-and-a-half-week high after Fed taper
19th Dec 2013 16:31
- FTSE 100 at highest since December 2nd after Fed taper - Fed scales back stimulus, gives guidance on rates - Carnival jumps late on after FY results - Pharmaceutical and life insurance stocks rise techMARK 2,735.02 +1.40% FTSE 100 6,584.70 +1.43% FTSE 250 15,589.95 +1.45% UK stocks surged to a t
Read moreSector movers: Life Insurers lifted by ratings report
19th Dec 2013 14:39
Life insurers were almost universally higher after rating agency Fitch gave an encouraging bill of health on US counterparts for 2014. The sector was up 2.3 per cent on the day. Insurance peers Aviva, Legal & General, Old Mutual, Phoenix, Prudential, St James's Place and Standard Life were all high
Read moreCar insurance too high, says Competition Commission
17th Dec 2013 13:12
The UK competition watchdog is planning new measures to reform the car insurance market after its investigation into the industry found the cost to consumers was too high. The Competition Commission said drivers were footing the bill for unnecessary costs incurred during the claims process followin
Read moreLondon close: Markets edge higher despite falls from Tullow, miners
9th Dec 2013 16:56
- Markets edge higher after positive start on Wall Street - Tullow Oil, mining stocks limit gains in London - Chinese exports slow; Japan GDP revised lower techMARK 2,679.67 +0.34% FTSE 100 6,559.48 +0.11% FTSE 250 15,391.79 +0.49% Markets finished with small gains on Friday after a decent start o
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tullow, mining stocks provide a drag
9th Dec 2013 14:57
Oil group Tullow was among the worst performers on Monday after saying it has plugged and abandoned its Tultule-1 wildcat well onshore Ethiopia as it failed to encounter oil. Mining stocks were also under heavy selling pressure despite data showing a strong acceleration in export growth last month
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat as investors digest mixed data from Asia
9th Dec 2013 08:53
- Markets still digesting non-farm payrolls - Chinese export growth picks up - Japan Q3 GDP revised lower techMARK 2,678.36 +0.29% FTSE 100 6,553.51 +0.02% FTSE 250 15,359.05 +0.27% Markets opened more or less flat on Monday morning as investors continued to digest last week's strong US data, as w
Read moreAviva's McFarlane to succeed FirstGroup Chairman Gilbert
6th Dec 2013 07:52
John McFarlane, currently the Chairman of insurance group Aviva, is to succeed Martin Gilbert as Chairman of transport firm FirstGroup next month. McFarlane, who is also a non-executive director of retail property giant Westfield Holdings and financial group Old Oak Holdings, will join FirstGroup o
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AMEC leads ex-divis lower, Lloyds rises
27th Nov 2013 15:11
Engineering firm AMEC was a heavy faller today after going ex-dividend. Others in the FTSE 350 including Johnson Matthey, Vedanta Resources, Lancashire Holdings, 3i Infrastructure, UDG Healthcare, Telecom Plus and Dunelm also went ex-div today. Antofagasta was falling after JPMorgan Chase reiterate
Read moreBroker tips: Rio Tinto, Aviva, Compass, NMC Health
27th Nov 2013 11:33
Canaccord Genuity has cut its target price for mining group Rio Tinto but has kept a 'buy' rating, saying that the stock is still 'cheap'. "We believe Rio Tinto shares offer investors strong management and advantaged assets combining to drive a growing dividend. Its investment programme should give
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise after UK data, but gains limited
27th Nov 2013 11:33
- Q3 UK GDP confirms small acceleration in growth - German coalition, GfK consumer confidence in focus - Ex-div stocks cap gains - Volumes set to be low ahead of Thanksgiving techMARK 2,656.92 +0.28% FTSE 100 6,648.87 +0.19% FTSE 250 15,386.74 +0.53% Markets in London were in positive territory on
Read moreBroker snap: Aviva still cheap despite strong performance, says Nomura
27th Nov 2013 10:40
Nomura has raised its target price for insurance group Aviva from 474p to 489p and maintained a 'buy' rating, saying that the stock remains 'relatively cheap' despite the impressive performance over recent few months. Aviva has risen strongly since the dividend cut at the full-year results in March
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to inch lower in early trade
18th Nov 2013 07:27
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around eight points lower than Friday's close of 6,693.44, easing off slightly as investors look ahead to Wednesday when the minutes of the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting will be released. On Friday UK stocks ended the session with broadly decent
Read moreAviva to sell holding in Italian insurer Eurovita
18th Nov 2013 07:03
Insurer Aviva has announced plans to offload its entire stake in Italian insurance group Eurovita Assicurazioni in a bid to boost capital and focus on more profitable lines. If approved by Italian insurance regulator IVASS, the 39% shareholding is being sold to JC Flowers for a total consideration
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