HSBC, RBS and Barclays said to plan 400 branch closures this year
6th Apr 2016 14:55
(ShareCast News) - HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays are reportedly set to close 400 UK branches this year. Reuters cited people familiar with the matter as saying that HSBC was set to close the highest number, with about 200 branches this year. That is about a fifth of the bank's UK branche
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Tata Steel, inversion deals, Panama Papers, pensions
6th Apr 2016 07:19
(ShareCast News) - The businessman at the centre of efforts to salvage the UK's biggest steel factory has laid out his demands, calling on the UK government for sweeping subsidies if he is to take over the Port Talbot plant. Sanjeev Gupta, founder of commodities group Liberty House, said for him to
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
5th Apr 2016 15:09
(ShareCast News) - Royal Mail: Investec reiterates buy with a target price of 580p. Gooch Housego: Investec reiterates buy, 1020p target and Finncap keeps at hold. Glencore: Exane BNP Paribas maintains outperform with a target price of 165p. Babcock: JP Morgan reiterates overweight with a targe
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Dyson, Brexit, US shale gas, Barclays
24th Mar 2016 07:13
(ShareCast News) - European ministers are expected on Thursday to push telecommunications and digital service providers to work more closely with government authorities to track down terror suspects as part of a post-Brussels attack crackdown. At a hastily arranged meeting, EU ministers responsible
Read moreHSBC cuts Barclays to 'hold' on dividend disappointment
22nd Mar 2016 12:56
(ShareCast News) - HSBC downgraded Barclays to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut the price target to 190p from 230p to reflect disappointment over the bank's dividend decision and the uncertain background for investment banking earnings. "The restructuring story has been clouded by management's decision to
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Brexit, Dyson, BHS, sugar tax, Barclays
21st Mar 2016 07:14
(ShareCast News) - The UK economy could lose more than half a million jobs by 2020 in the event of a vote to leave the EU and would be unlikely to recover from the impact fully even after 15 years, the head of the CBI is set to warn. Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the business lobby, will pr
Read moreNomura downgrades StanChart, HSBC, Barclays
18th Mar 2016 12:12
(ShareCast News) - China's economy was set to slow more sharply than most analysts were expecting, leading to a further devaluation of the country's currency, the yuan, which in turn would weigh on the broader emerging market currency space and business for the likes of HSBC and StanChart, Nomura sa
Read moreSectors movers: Precious metals miners shine, banks hit by Fed
17th Mar 2016 16:08
(ShareCast News) - A charge of the large cap mining brigade kept the FTSE 100 index just in positive territory through Thursday afternoon. Boosted by the weaker dollar, commodity prices perked up, with copper up 2%, iron ore strengthening even more and precious metals sparkling. "Gold has found its
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Budget, Sorrell, Barclays, Fed, Sports Direct
16th Mar 2016 07:22
(ShareCast News) - George Osborne will today admit he has broken two out of the three fiscal rules he set down after last year's election, as he sets out a Budget constrained by slowing growth and weakening public finances. Mr Osborne will use whatever cash he can find to promote the life chances of
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
15th Mar 2016 16:46
(ShareCast News) - Virgin Money: Goldman Sachs reiterates neutral with a target price of 450p and Berenberg stays at hold with a 400p target. Gem Diamonds: Panmure Gordon keeps at buy, 181p target and Finncap reiterates buy with a target of 270p. G4S: Credit Suisse reiterates neutral with a target
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Aviva leads as it beats expectations
10th Mar 2016 14:39
(ShareCast News) - The FTSE 100 was trading in the red on Thursday afternoon, as the markets were left to digest surprise stimulus moves from the European Central Bank. Aviva was leading the risers, after it beat forecasts with a 20% operating profit increase. The insurer also reported a solvency ca
Read moreBarclays receives strong expressions of interest in African unit
10th Mar 2016 14:16
(ShareCast News) - Barclays had received strong expressions of interest in its African banking franchise since it announced its intention to sell, just one week before, the bank's chief said on Thursday. Furthermore, the firm was open to considering selling its full 62% stake in the business, chief
Read moreBarclays investors said to demand talks over dividend cut
8th Mar 2016 12:22
(ShareCast News) - Some of Barclays' leading investors are reportedly set to demand talks with the bank's top independent director, Sir Gerry Grimstone, over its decision to slash its dividend this year and the next. According to Sky News, a number of major Barclays shareholders want to meet Grimsto
Read moreBroker tips: Barclays, LSE, Standard Chartered
7th Mar 2016 13:53
(ShareCast News) - Deutsche Bank downgraded Barclays to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut its price target to 180p from 255p, saying the stock was more now more of an investment case for 2017-18 rather than 2016. It said that Barclays' strategic update, whilst necessary to strengthen the capital position an
Read moreBarclays appoints new M&A team
7th Mar 2016 12:00
(ShareCast News) - Barclays has hired nine people to work within its EMEA banking team as it looks to boost its mergers and acquisitions business. The bank announced the appointment of Carlo Calabria, who joins from CMC Capital, to the role of chairman of M&A for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Cala
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