Sectors 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
Read moreCMA extends deadline for retail banking investigation
7th Mar 2016 09:50
(ShareCast News) - The Competition and Markets Authority has decided to extend the deadline for its investigation into the UK retail banking sector, which it believes is not competitive enough. The CMA said the extension to 12 August from May is necessary to allow enough time to take full and proper
Read moreBarclays slips on Deutsche Bank downgrade
7th Mar 2016 09:25
(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 moreThursday newspaper share tips: Virgin Money, Challenger banks
3rd Mar 2016 16:40
(ShareCast News) - Homes are not always a safe repository of value, as property busts show, but at the moment they are the safest corner of the UK banking space. That was reflected yesterday in Virgin Money's full-year figures for return on tangible equity, which at 10.9% easily trumped those of the
Read moreMastercard said to plan £1bn Vocalink takeover bid
3rd Mar 2016 13:02
(ShareCast News) - US-based credit card issuer Mastercard has reportedly drawn up secret pans for a takeover of international payment systems provider Vocalink. According to Sky News, Mastercard has approached the board of bank-owned Vocalink about a deal that could be worth more than £1bn. More th
Read moreWednesday broker round-up
2nd Mar 2016 16:45
(ShareCast News) - Just Eat: JP Morgan reiterates overweight with a target price of 393p and Investec reiterates buy with a target price of 479p. Capital & Counties Properties: Morgan Stanley downgrades to underweight with a target price of 330p. Rightmove: Jefferies upgrades to hold with a target
Read moreUBS trims Barclays's target price but keeps at 'buy'
2nd Mar 2016 13:07
(ShareCast News) - Barclays's share price might be heading into rough waters, but the course set by its new management was the correct one, UBS said. Due to the bank's improved capital position, as reported by the lender on 1 March, and new management in place, the Board's decision to accelerate the
Read moreBarclays confirms sale of Africa business as annual profit falls
1st Mar 2016 07:56
(ShareCast News) - Barclays confirmed plans to sell its African business on Tuesday as it announced a drop in full year profit and a cut to the dividend. For the year to 31 December, adjusted pre-tax profit slipped 2% to £5.4bn and the bank announced a £1.45bn provision for PPI misselling. Analysts
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