FTSE 100 movers: Smith & Nephew leads top-tier index higher on M&A reports
5th Jun 2014 14:59
M&A speculation continued to boost the share price of Smith & Nephew on Thursday, as another company was reported to be interested in the medical devices firm. According to Bloomberg which cited people familiar with the matter, US peer Medtronic is in the early stages of preparing to make a bid for
Read moreBanks underpay PPI compensation by £1bn, report claims
5th Jun 2014 09:16
Banks have underpaid compensation for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) policies by about £1bn, according the BBC on Thursday. The customers affected had PPI on credit cards issued by Barclays, MBNA, Capital One and Lloyds Banking Group. All the banks involved have said they will make ev
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
4th Jun 2014 09:28
Advanced Computer Software: Panmure Gordon ups target price from 139p to 155p and stays with its buy recommendation. Avacta: Numis shifts target price from 1.9p to 2p and retains a buy recommendation. Balfour Beatty: Westhouse Securities reduces target price from 302p to 220p keeping its neutral r
Read moreBarclays begins investment banking cuts
3rd Jun 2014 10:05
Barclays has begun to implement the first of the 7,000 job cuts at its investment banking (IB) arm, as part of 19,000 across the bank. The investment bank has made the first few hundred redundancies, according to Reuters, with cuts mostly made in its fixed income, currencies and commodities (FICC)
Read moreMorgan Stanley says sell defensives and buy cyclicals and high beta
28th May 2014 16:17
In a note entitled 'Don't Panic, Sell Staples', Morgan Stanley's European team has perceived a "compelling opportunity" for investors to start selling defensives and rotate into oversold high beta or cyclical stocks. Figuring that the 'Great Rotation' of 2014 "hasn't occurred at the asset allocatio
Read moreLondon close: FTSE dips as traders eye elections in Europe and Ukraine
23rd May 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes down 4.81 points to 6,815.75 - Sentiment weighed by Bank Holiday, elections, Ukraine - US new home sales rise techMARK 2,758.00 +0.51% FTSE 100 6,815.75 -0.07% FTSE 250 15,706.03 +0.20% It was a negative finish for UK stocks in the final session of the week, with investors focused on
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: SABMiller retreats on profit taking after strong results
23rd May 2014 15:41
SABMiller retreated following yesterday's strong rise, which came on the back of a strong set of annual results. The group posted a 2% rise in adjusted pre-tax profit to $5,712, while the dividend was increase to 105 cents, up from 101 cents a year earlier. Sector peer Diageo tracked the stock lo
Read moreBarclays fined 26m pounds over gold price setting
23rd May 2014 09:05
British financial watchdogs have slapped a 26m pound fine on banking group Barclays for alleged failings linked to setting of gold prices. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said in a statement that it was fining Barclays £26,033,500 "for failing to adequately manage conflicts of interest betwee
Read moreBarclays begins talks with Spanish banks about retail disposal
22nd May 2014 11:12
Barclays has begun to speak to potential suitors about the sale of its Spanish banking arm. Chief Executive Anthony Jenkins said earlier this month that he wanted to sell the bank's retail network in Spain, Italy and France within two to three years. However, according to reports in Spain, Barclay
Read moreLondon midday: China slowdown fears hit stocks, AstraZeneca sinks
19th May 2014 11:26
- AstraZeneca drops after rejecting 'final proposal' from Pfizer - Chinese housing concerns weigh on sentiment - Carney comments, Ukraine elections in focus techMARK 2,710.83 -1.26% FTSE 100 6,827.22 -0.42% FTSE 250 15,427.14 +0.19% UK stocks were firmly in the red on Monday as investors kicked of
Read moreLondon open: AstraZeneca leads markets lower as shares sink
19th May 2014 08:33
- AstraZeneca drops sharply after rejecting Pfizer offer - Banking, mining stocks fall - China property concerns weigh on sentiment techMARK 2,714.40 -1.13% FTSE 100 6,823.23 -0.48% FTSE 250 15,475.65 +0.50% UK stocks fell on Monday morning with AstraZeneca leading the decline after rejecting a fi
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: AstraZeneca, Carney and housing, M&S
18th May 2014 10:57
Pfizer is weighing up a last-minute improvement to its indicative offer for AstraZeneca, the Sunday Times said. Pfizer is expected to increase the cash portion of its offer and could also increase the price per share before the May 26th deadline to secure a deal. It is also in talks with the Governm
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
15th May 2014 09:43
Anglo American: Credit Suisse ups target price from 1800p to 1850p downgrading to neutral. ASOS: Berenberg initiates with a target price of 5350p and a buy recommendation. Barclays: Jefferies lowers target price from 345p to 325p, while staying with its buy recommendation. Bioquell: N+1 Singer pl
Read moreAG Barr Finance Director reduces stake, Aggreko Executive builds his
13th May 2014 15:23
The wife of Alex Short, the Finance Director of AG Barr, sold 15,000 shares in the group, thereby reducing his holding in the soft drinks group to 37,711. The 610.00p-a-share sale had a total trade value of £91,500. Meanwhile, David Taylor-Smith, an Executive Director of power solutions group Agg
Read moreCunliffe warns banking sector on new balance sheet rules
13th May 2014 11:19
Bank of England Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe has confirmed banks will need to further adjust their balance sheets so that they will never be too big to fail. The Montery Policy and Financial Policy Committee (FPC) member said banks will soon be required to have a emergency buffer of bonds to enabl
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