Broker tips: National Grid, Babcock, De La Rue
17th May 2011 12:39
While Nomura raises its estimates for power and gas grid operator National Grid (NG) ahead of the group's full-year results due on Thursday, the broker says that many positives are already priced in to the stock, and leaves its 'neutral' rating. The broker notes that NG has been a notable outperfo
Read moreBroker snap: Strong pipeline at Babcock
17th May 2011 12:32
With an accelerating pipeline, engineering support services group Babcock International has had its target price raised by Peel Hunt, who says the share remain a 'conviction buy'. "While FY2011 [fiscal year-ended 2011] profit before tax was 2% ahead of our expectations and debt 2% lower, the highli
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 little changed as updates impress
17th May 2011 12:13
The leading share index is flat now after winning back some early losses, with company updates helping to send stocks higher. India-focused energy firm Essar Energy leads the risers in the FTSE 100 after it reported a "solid operating performance" in the first quarter with total generation 10% high
Read moreBabcock bullish as revenues rise
17th May 2011 08:58
Engineering support services group Babcock International hailed the ability of outsourced service providers to benefit from the government's cost-cutting efforts as it posted a sharp rise in revenues. In the year to 31 March, revenue was up by 50% from the previous year at £2.89bn, while pre-tax p
Read moreBroker snap: Setting sail with a 'buy' at Babcock
10th May 2011 13:18
UBS has initiated coverage for engineering support services company Babcock International with a 'buy' and 770p target price, citing the group's high-quality outsourcing business, strong management team and track record of delivery. UBS notes that its exposure to the UK government has hit sentiment
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: CPP plummets after profit warning
29th Mar 2011 15:09
The biggest mover of the day is CPP, which has seen its share price plummet after yesterday's announcement that the FSA has raised sales-related issues with its identity protection products and this will reduce its profit in 2011. The identity theft and credit card insurer said that the FSA is conce
Read moreBusiness opportunities picking up at Babcock
29th Mar 2011 07:28
Engineering support services company Babcock International is sitting on a strong order book and a growing bid pipeline, giving it confidence for the next financial year. Having seen a slowdown in the first half of the year in the number of new contracts coming up for tender this trend has reversed
Read moreBabcock nabs German bases contract
11th Feb 2011 07:38
Support services group Babcock has picked up a £170m contract to maintain 12 British Army bases in Germany, the first time a private contractor has been chosen to run British Forces facilities in the country. The five-year contract will see Babcock deliver planned and reactive building maintenance
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Babcock, Hornby, Playtech...
26th Jan 2011 06:48
Babcock bought rival VT last year and said investors would be looking at how well it performed. So far, it seems the integration is on track, with management confident of hitting a run-rate of £11m by the end of March. Babcock also exceeded expectations on paying down debt following the VT acquisi
Read moreBabcock in confident mood
25th Jan 2011 07:53
The final quarter of 2010 saw more of the same for engineering support services group Babcock International, with trading in line with expectations. The order book remains stable at around £12bn, while, as expected, the pipeline of bids at pre-qualification questionnaire and invitation to tender st
Read moreTuesday preview: PZ Cussons, Babcock, Playtech, GDP
24th Jan 2011 16:37
Consumer products group PZ Cussons, best known for its Imperial Leather brand of soap, will be going up against a tough set of comparatives when it issues interim results on Tuesday. Panmure Gordon is expecting the firm to deliver "relatively muted growth" of around 3% in earnings per share (EPS).
Read moreBroker tips: Marston's, Serco, ASOS
24th Jan 2011 13:31
Pub group and brewer Marston's share price has taken a hit in the last couple of months making what Peel Hunt described as the best operator in the modern pub industry an even bigger bargain. Snow disruption, an "overwhelming exposure" to places with average public sector employment, and the north
Read moreBroker snap: Serco plays down speculation
24th Jan 2011 12:37
Outsourcing giant Serco has confirmed that it is not in talks over acquiring US group SRA International, much to the disappointment of Panmure Gordon, which described it as a missed opportunity for the group to become the "biggest foreign company providing services to the US government." The Teleg
Read moreFirst Quantum non-exec halves holding
22nd Nov 2010 16:46
Non-executive director Andrew Adams has sold nearly half of his stake in First Quantum Minerals. The disposal was a week after First Quantum reported its third quarter figures. Adams sold the shares in four tranches. He sold 14,286 shares in total, leaving him with 15,000 shares. The shares were
Read moreNewly appointed QinetiQ non-exec buys
18th Nov 2010 17:22
Recently appointed non-executive director Paul Murray has invested nearly £50,000 in defence group QinetiQ following the release of its interim figures. Murray bought 44,377 shares at 112.08p a share. This is his total holding in QinetiQ. He was appointed to the board on 25 October. Murray is al
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