London close: Gains pared but markets buoyed by pharma, beverage stocks
12th Mar 2015 16:42
UK stocks were off their highest levels of the day by the close on Thursday as mining shares erased earlier gains, though strong performances from pharma and beverage groups provided some support, as well as M&A in the banking sector. The FTSE 100 finished the session up 39.56 points (+0.6%) at 6,76
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Astrazeneca soars on new diabetes research, RBS higher on upgrade
12th Mar 2015 14:00
AstraZeneca topped the risers as it committed $40m to backing phase 2a trials for a new diabetes drug - a form of long-acting insulin that only needs to be administered once week. Glaxosmithkline was boosted by news it plans to sell approximately half of its 12.4% stake in Aspen Pharmacare Holdings.
Read moreLondon pre-open: Positive start expected after record close on Wall Street
3rd Mar 2015 07:50
UK stocks are expected to open with modest gains on Tuesday following a decent performance on Wall Street the night before, as investors watch corporate earnings on a quiet day for economic data. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 10 points higher than Monday's close of 6,940.64. Both the
Read moreAstraZeneca completes acquisition of rights to Activis
3rd Mar 2015 07:10
AstraZeneca has completed its acquisition of the rights to Activis' branded respiratory business in the US and Canada. The company paid Activis initial consideration worth $600m as well as an extra $100m for a number of contractual consents and approvals. According to an investor note released on T
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Astrazeneca lower as patent rejected, BHP boosted by Pakistan disposal
16th Feb 2015 14:11
Astrazeneca was trading lower after its patent on its Pulmicort Respules treatment for asthma was ruled by a US court as invalid. The US District Court of New Jersey ruling paves the way for generic versions of the lung drug to be released into the market. Actavis said it released a version of the d
Read moreUS court invalidates Astrazeneca's asthma drug
16th Feb 2015 10:11
Astrazeneca's patent on its Pulmicort Respules treatment for asthma has been ruled by a US court as invalid. The US District Court of New Jersey ruling paves the way for generic versions of the lung drug to be released into the market. Actavis said it released a version of the drug following the cou
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BT higher on EE takeover Easyjet nosedives on weak passenger numbers
5th Feb 2015 14:55
BT surged after confirming reports it has settled on terms of its acquisition of EE from Deutsche Telekom and Orange, saying it will be spending £12.5bn on the UK mobile network. The deal will be financed by new debt and a £1bn placing of its shares and will result in Deutsche Telekom and Orange tak
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks retreat as Greek concerns rise
5th Feb 2015 12:08
UK stocks fell for a second day on Thursday as optimism surrounding the situation in Greece began to fade and a raft of corporate earnings and updates received a mixed reaction from the market. London's FTSE 100 was down 0.4% at 6,830 by midday, though had bounced off a low of 6,808.19 reached early
Read moreBroker tips: Astrazeneca, Compass, Beazley
5th Feb 2015 11:47
The Share Centre has rated Astrazeneca a 'hold' for medium-risk investors after fourth-quarter results from the drugmaker disappointed, saying that investors may have to wait to see material improvements in the top line. Analyst Helal Miah said: "The company is in a transition phase investing heavil
Read moreAstrazeneca has a lot to prove, says The Share Centre
5th Feb 2015 10:22
The Share Centre has rated Astrazeneca a 'hold' for medium-risk investors after fourth-quarter results from the drugmaker disappointed the market on Thursday, with the broker highlighting its preference for sector rival Glaxosmithkline (GSK). The company reported a 2% increase in revenues to $6.68bn
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks fall as Greek optimism fades, corporate earnings mixed
5th Feb 2015 09:09
UK stocks declined on Thursday as newsflow from Greece prompted an element of caution on financial markets, as the FTSE 100 continued to retreat from a five-month high. London's blue chip index was down 0.4% at 6,836 early on, with updates from a number of blue chips receiving a mixed reaction from
Read moreLondon pre-open: Weak start expected as Greek concerns mount
5th Feb 2015 07:28
Optimism surrounding Greece, which sent UK markets to a five-month high earlier this week, quickly faded on Thursday with stocks expected to drop early on. The cautious start also comes ahead of a monetary policy decision in the UK, with a statement from the Bank of England due out at noon. City so
Read moreAstrazeneca misses fourth quarter target but eyes growth in 2015
5th Feb 2015 07:18
After a year of accelerating investment in its drug pipeline, drug group Astrazeneca's earnings per share fell more than expected in the fourth quarter to drag the full year number short of the market's target. As it simultaneously announced the $600m respiratory drug acquisition, the FTSE 100 giant
Read moreLondon close: Stocks trim losses on Greek hopes, Chinese stimulus
4th Feb 2015 17:09
A late rally helped the FTSE 100 to erase most of its losses on Wednesday as optimism surrounding Greece and stimulus measures in China lifted sentiment, though stocks still finished in the red after hitting a five-month high the previous day. London's Footsie ended the session down 0.2% at 6,860.02
Read moreSector movers: GSK leads defensive pharma stocks higher
4th Feb 2015 14:35
A massive cash return by Glaxosmithkline gave the wider sector a lift on Wednesday, with defensive healthcare and pharmaceutical stocks also benefiting from a reduction in risk appetite as UK markets pulled back from a five-month high. Sales, profits and earnings slumped during the fourth quarter of
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