Sector movers: GSK gives pharma sector a booster
22nd Aug 2011 15:27
The pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector was among the best performing sectors on Monday, helped by its giant constituent GlaxoSmithKline. The FTSE 100 drugs and healthcare firm announced that it is to buy up over a quarter of UK-based biotech firm Autifony Therapeutics through its wholly-owned
Read moreSunday tips round-up: G4S, Gem Diamonds, Amec ...
21st Aug 2011 16:25
Security firm G4S has a good record of performing in tough times. In the last downturn, its top line growth never fell below 2%, and it has typically expanded at two percentage points above gross domestic product, notes James Ashton in the Sunday Times. Half-year results this week are expected to sh
Read moreBroker snap: Pfizer case to be positive for UK pharma stocks, says Matrix
16th Aug 2011 13:01
Matrix has highlighted the effect that the patent infringement case won by US pharmaceutical group Pfizer will have on its London-listed peers, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Shire. "Yesterday, Pfizer announced it had prevailed in its patent infringement action against generics company Teva Pharm
Read moreBroker tips: BATS, Pharma, Wincanton
16th Aug 2011 12:59
Nomura has raised its estimates for cigarette giant British American Tobacco, as a result of a strong first half performance and a positive second half pricing outlook. "Estimate increases are driven by encouraging first half organic performance (even ex Japan) and a positive pricing outlook going
Read moreLondon close: Late rally lifts stocks
28th Jul 2011 16:41
Stocks finished in positive territory after a choppy day, with US economic data helping to spark a late rally. Weekly Initial jobless claims in the world's biggest economy fell below 400,000 for the first time since April and homes sales data also came in ahead of expectations. The rush of company
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall back after news flurry
28th Jul 2011 12:00
Stocks are in the red after this morning's splurge of company updates. Anglo-Dutch integrated oil company Royal Dutch Shell fell after it reported net income on a current cost of supplies (CCS) basis, excluding specific items, of $6.6bn, compared to $4.2bn in the second quarter of last year. The fi
Read moreLondon open: Footsie opens lower after flurry of results
28th Jul 2011 08:34
After a flurry of company results this morning, the Footsie fell into the red. While investors digest the figures, in the back of their minds they are still fretting about the US debt ceiling negotiations, with the Republicans and Democrats set for a show-down later on today in the House of Represen
Read moreAstra raises earnings guidance
28th Jul 2011 07:56
Anglo-Swedish drugs giant AstraZeneca raised its full-year earnings outlook and pledged to return more cash to shareholders, as second-quarter sales and profits came in marginally ahead of expectations. Reported profit before tax slid 2%, or 4% on a constant exchange rates (CER) basis, to $2.86bn f
Read moreLondon pre-open: Not too busy to fret about US debt
28th Jul 2011 07:39
There has been a hectic schedule of big company results already this morning to keep traders occupied but in the back of their minds they are still fretting about the US debt ceiling negotiations, with the Republicans and Democrats set for a show-down later on today in the House of Representatives.
Read moreThursday preview: Shell, Astra, Compass
27th Jul 2011 17:46
Investment analysts are going to need a plentiful supply of pencils and rubber erasers on Thursday for what is possibly the busiest day of the year so far for big company updates. Companies scheduled to update the market include AstraZeneca, BAE Systems, BT Group, Centrica, Croda International, Inc
Read moreLondon close: Footsie closes higher, despite afternoon sell-off
22nd Jul 2011 16:31
After a solid start on the back of positive developments in Europe, the Footsie trimmed gains in the afternoon as investors looked to lock in profits following a strong finish on Thursday. Despite touching as high as the 5,967 level before midday, the Footsie steadily declined to close at 5,935. Me
Read moreSector movers: Astra, GSK fall on UBS comments
22nd Jul 2011 14:57
UBS dampened the mood in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, meaning that the sector fell to the bottom of the pile on Friday. UBS Investment Research cut its rating on the European pharmaceutical sector to "neutral" from "small overweight," saying the defensive sector that benefited from the econom
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials mixed as investor lock in profits
22nd Jul 2011 14:18
The financial sector was mixed on Friday, despite rising strongly early on following yesterday's Eurozone deal to bailout Greece. Shares soared on Thursday after the region's leaders agreed a new aid package for Greece and an overhaul of the Eurozone sovereign rescue fund. While RBS bucked the tre
Read moreBroker snap: UBS downgrades European pharma to neutral
22nd Jul 2011 13:01
UBS Investment Research cut its rating on the European pharmaceutical sector to "neutral" from "small overweight," saying the defensive sector that benefited from the economic soft patch and the sovereign debt crisis, will be hit by the turnaround in these lead indicators. UBS strategist Nick Nels
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Capita, AstraZeneca, Colt
22nd Jul 2011 06:52
The market has well and truly fallen out of love with the support services sector, and with the sector leader Capita Group. Some acceptable interim figures from the company were greeted with a sharp price fall yesterday. The rate of dividend growth is a little lower than it has been historically bec
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