London close: FTSE closes above 6,700 despite sanctions on Russia
28th Apr 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 14.47 at 6,700.19 - AstraZeneca drives index higher - US imposes sanctions on Russia - China's Politburo signals no new large-scale easing ahead techMARK 2,770.82 +0.83% FTSE 100 6,700.16 +0.22% FTSE 250 15,826.24 -0.39% UK stocks closed modestly higher today, driven by AstraZene
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca soars on Pfizer bid interest
28th Apr 2014 14:40
AstraZeneca was the day's stand-out performer, up by more than 15 per cent this afternoon after US pharma giant Pfizer confirmed that it had made a 'preliminary, non-binding indication of interest' regarding a possible merger in January. The 60bn pound proposal was rejected by AstraZeneca's board bu
Read moreAstraZeneca says Pfizer offer 'very significantly' undervalues company
28th Apr 2014 14:40
- Pfizer bid 'very significantly' undervalues company - Pfizer offered to pay 46.61 pound per shares, 30 per cent in cash - No contacts had been held since January 15th - No new proposal has been made AstraZeneca has not received any further offer from Pfizer nor held concrete contact talks with th
Read moreSector movers: M&A boosts pharma sectors as AstraZeneca soars
28th Apr 2014 14:07
M&A activity was continuing to drive the global pharmaceutical sector higher today after Pfizer confirmed it was working on its next move after its first tentative approach for AstraZeneca in January was rejected. Shares in the Anglo-Swedish group were up around 15% at 4,705p in afternoon trade af
Read moreLondon midday: AstraZeneca leads stocks higher, but traders cautious
28th Apr 2014 11:53
- AstraZeneca jumps as Pfizer confirms interest - US announces new sanctions on Russian officials - Japanese retail sales surge, but analysts still cautious - BG Group drops after CEO exit, update - Premier Oil rejects Ophir merger approach techMARK 2,788.13 +1.46% FTSE 100 6,708.87 +0.35% FTSE 250
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 rises as AstraZeneca jumps
28th Apr 2014 08:33
- AstraZeneca jumps as Pfizer confirms interest - Pharma stocks outweigh weakness in basic resource shares - Japanese retail sales surge, but analysts still cautious - BG Group drops after CEO exit, update techMARK 2,780.12 +1.17% FTSE 100 6,700.83 +0.23% FTSE 250 15,848.32 -0.25% UK markets edge
Read morePfizer confirms interest in a possible merger with AstraZeneca
28th Apr 2014 08:25
On Monday US pharmaceuticals group Pfizer confirmed prior discussions with AstraZeneca regarding a "possible combination" and its continuing interest in a possible merger. Pfizer's previous proposal to the board of AstraZeneca on January 5th 2014 included a mix of cash and shares in the combined
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE set for decent start to busy week
28th Apr 2014 07:42
UK stocks are set for a decent start ahead of what is expected to be a busy week, despite a less-than-impressive finish in the US on Friday and an uninspiring performance by Asia stocks overnight. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 20 points above Friday's close of 6,685.69. US st
Read morePfizer may announce interest in AstraZeneca purchase this week
28th Apr 2014 06:15
Within the past week Pfizer has revived its plans to acquire AstraZeneca and may make a public declaration of its interest this week, Bloomberg and the Financial Times reported. People familiar with the matter told the latter that a bid could come in at over $100bn, versus the UK group's current m
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
25th Apr 2014 09:19
African Barrick Gold: Deutsche Bank lowers target price from 310p to 300p maintaining a buy recommendation. Anglo American: Deutsche Bank cuts target price from 1530p to 1510p and reiterates a hold recommendation. ASOS: Deutsche Bank upgrades to buy with a target price of 5800p. Astra Zeneca: Deu
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: Archbishop of Canterbury, AstraZeneca, Scotland
25th Apr 2014 07:17
The Archbishop of Canterbury joined the prime minister in a staunch defence of Christian Britain yesterday, as Nick Clegg called for an end to the link between church and state. The Most Rev Justin Welby said he had found it "quite baffling" to see the vociferous response to David Cameron's "moving"
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ends above 6,700 after strong US tech performance
24th Apr 2014 16:59
- FTSE ends 28.26 points higher at 6,703 - Easter retail sales rise - Ukraine kills militants, EU ponders Crimea sanctions techMARK 2,759.85 +0.65% FTSE 100 6,703.00 +0.42% FTSE 250 15,991.77 +0.01% The FTSE 100 closed above the key psychological barrier of 6,700, lifted by better-than-expected r
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca leads after revenue beats expectations
24th Apr 2014 14:33
AstraZeneca rose on the back of better-than-expected revenue growth of three per cent in the first quarter, driven by the pharmaceutical company's diabetes franchise. Shares were up despite earnings falling more than expected. AstraZeneca's share price surged earlier this week on speculation it coul
Read moreBroker tips: AstraZeneca, Barclays, BSkyB, Hammerson
24th Apr 2014 13:09
Panmure Gordon has kept a 'hold' recommendation for AstraZeneca after a mixed first quarter from the pharmaceutical group, but said there were some 'bright lights' in the results such as its heartburn treatment Nexium. Analyst Savvas Neophytou said that Astra's portfolio performed well overall, "wi
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks at seven-week high as earnings impress
24th Apr 2014 12:07
- FTSE 100 at highest since March 6th - Apple, Facebook surge after the closing bell - AstraZeneca, Anglo American gain after updates techMARK 2,769.72 +1.01% FTSE 100 6,721.42 +0.70% FTSE 250 16,066.89 +0.48% The FTSE 100 was trading at a seven-week high on Thursday morning as stellar results fro
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