Broker tips: RBS, Prudential, Cadbury
9th Nov 2009 13:18
Insurance giant Prudential was one of the major risers on Monday morning after a price target upgrade from Dutch broking group ING. ING has upped its target price for the Pru from 392p to 584p, but maintains its 'hold' rating for the shares. The broker is not sold on all insurers, however. 'The re
Read moreBroker snap: Emerging markets to rescue insurers
9th Nov 2009 13:17
Insurance giant Prudential was one of the major risers on Monday morning after a price target upgrade from Dutch broking group ING. ING has upped its target price for the Pru from 392p to 584p, but maintains its 'hold' rating for the shares. The broker is not sold on all insurers, however. 'The re
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Logica, Rightmove, Aviva
5th Nov 2009 06:01
Most companies are looking at any way to cut costs during the downturn, which puts a company like Logica, one of the biggest UK-listed IT service providers, in a strong position. Yet, analysts fear that profit growth will not be huge next year and Evolution Securities rates the stock at 11.7 times p
Read moreLondon close: Footsie gleams on commodity strength
4th Nov 2009 16:18
A rush into miners, triple-digit rally on Wall Street and welcome numbers from two of Britain's largest retailers catapulted London higher Wednesday. Fresnillo took the blue chip risers' crown, up sharply as renewed dollar weakness benefited commodity prices. Kazakhmys, Xstrata and Rio Tinto also
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains extended
4th Nov 2009 14:19
Expectations of a firmer start on Wall Street encouraged UK blue-chip prices to kick on over the lunch-time session, with miners and stores still leading the way, In the head to head battle between M&S and Next, shares in the latter are performing slightly better after the fashion chain upped its g
Read moreLondon midday: London enjoys retail therapy
4th Nov 2009 12:05
Retail news dominated the morning trading session with well received results from two major retailers plus a cautiously upbeat trading update from shopping centre owner Liberty. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of expectations, with underlying profits risi
Read moreLondon open: Retailers brighten the mood
4th Nov 2009 08:51
Good news from two major retailers has boosted sentiment with a late rally on Wall Street also helping the mood. High street giant Marks & Spencer produced interim results right at the top of expectations, with underlying profits rising slightly as food sales improved for a fourth quarter in a row
Read moreAviva's UK sales tumble in third quarter
4th Nov 2009 07:37
Sales fall sharply in both of life group Aviva's arms in the last quarter despite the recent strong rally in equity markets. Total sales fell by 11% in the three months to September from £30.4bn to £27.1bn, with the decline much steeper in local currencies. Life and pensions sales dropped by 11% f
Read moreLondon close: Footsie down but above 5,000
3rd Nov 2009 16:24
London's blue chips ended off session lows and back above the 5,000 level, helped by positive reaction to announcements from Lloyds Banking and Legal & General. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) remained resolutely out of favour, however, as the market reacted negatively to the revised terms of its part
Read moreLondon afternoon: Market licking its wounds
3rd Nov 2009 14:11
The FTSE 100 index clawed its way back above the 5,000 level over the lunch-time session, helped by positive reaction to announcements from Lloyds Banking and Legal & General. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) remains resolutely out of favour, however, as the market reacted negatively to the revised ter
Read moreLondon midday: Retreat turns into a rout
3rd Nov 2009 12:08
The list of FTSE 100 constituents is bereft of risers, as stocks move swiftly into reverse while the market digests developments relating to the part-nationalised UK banks. The government is injecting another £25.5bn into Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), with a further £8bn available if things get wo
Read moreLondon open: Mixed reception for latest bank rescues
3rd Nov 2009 08:52
Footsie is lower as investors assess confirmation of bonus curbs, dividend cuts and asset sales from Royal Bank of Scotland and a £21bn cash call from Lloyds Banking Group. RBS will not be allowed to pay dividends for the next two years and have to divest its insurance arm and a raft of other busin
Read moreAviva to pocket a billion from Delta Lloyd sale
3rd Nov 2009 07:45
Insurer Aviva said shares in its Dutch financial services subsidiary Delta Lloyd have been sold at €16 each. The UK-based insurance giant revealed earlier this year it would be selling 42% of Delta Lloyd via a flotation and a private placement, but has only just announced the terms, which value the
Read moreLondon midday: Retailers lifted by consumer confidence
30th Oct 2009 12:12
Insurers and miners are hampering the Footsie's progress today, but outside of these two sectors most blue-chips are on an upward trajectory, helped by some decent news on the economy. Economic data released Friday shows that UK consumers are more confident now than at any time in the last 21 mont
Read moreLondon close: Shares end near session high
29th Oct 2009 16:23
London's top stocks closed near its session high on news that the US economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter. Traders loved news that the US economy grew 3.5% annually in the last quarter, more than expected and the fastest rate of increase in two years. Part-nationalised bank Lloyd
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