Broker snap: Investec upgrades HSBC as disposals continue
27th Feb 2013 10:05
Investec has upgraded its recommendation for global banking giant HSBC from 'hold' to 'add' after the stock's recent underperformance. "After RBS (rated 'sell'), HSBC has been the worst performing UK bank year-to-date," according to Investec analyst Ian Gordon. Including Wednesday's 1.26% gain (to
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
27th Feb 2013 08:11
: Panmure Gordon reduces target price from 2159p to 1742p and reiterates its hold recommendation. Antofagasta: JP Morgan cuts target price from 1485p to 1400p, while retaining its overweight rating. Barclays: Numis raises target price from 351p to 400p and upgrades to buy. BT Group: UBS moves tar
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Barclays, JPMorgan, BP...
27th Feb 2013 06:53
Barclays is expected to reveal next week that as many as 600 of its staff are paid more than one million pounds, in the most detailed disclosure yet about how much its 140,000 employees take home each year. In a move that could force rival banks to follow suit, Barclays is preparing to report how mu
Read moreLondon close: Stocks tank on political instability in Italy
26th Feb 2013 16:38
Upbeat economic data from the States wasn't enough to give markets a boost on Tuesday as a political impasse in Italy dampened the demand for cyclical stocks, such as banks. The centre-left party led by Pier Luigi Bersani appears to have won the lower house by a narrow margin though the there was a
Read moreSector movers: GKN lifts autos; RBS leads banks lower
26th Feb 2013 16:16
Engineering giant GKN gave the automobile sector a lift on Tuesday afternoon following its well-received full-year results, while banks were leading the downside as cyclical stocks were hammered in the wake of the Italian elections. GKN, which makes technologies and products for vehicles and aircra
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: GKN rises after strong results and broker comment
26th Feb 2013 15:18
GKN got a boost after Jefferies said that company has a sound platform for solid growth after the engineering group's pre-tax profit came in ahead of its predictions. Chemicals group Croda was also a bright spot after saying that it has made an encouraging start to the new year. The company said t
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 sinks on Italian political impasse
26th Feb 2013 11:37
The Footsie lost over one per cent on Tuesday morning in the aftermath of the Italian national elections, as financial markets reacted to the political uncertainty unravelling in the Eurozone's third-largest economy. The centre-left party led by Pier Luigi Bersani appears to have won the lower hous
Read moreLondon open: Political uncertainty in Italy hammers stocks
26th Feb 2013 08:25
Election results in Italy prompted in a sell-off across European stock markets on Tuesday morning after the country was thrown into a political deadlock. The centre-left party led by Pier Luigi Bersani appears to have won the lower house by a narrow margin though the there was an inconclusive vote
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Feb 2013 07:27
Andor Technology: Investec shifts target price from 460p to 500p and keeps a buy recommendation. Associated British Foods: Nomura revises target price from 1790p to 1800p, while its neutral rating remains unchanged. Barclays: Espirito Santo raises target price from 346p to 418p and reiterates its
Read moreLondon close: Markets volatile after mixed news on Italian election
25th Feb 2013 17:11
The FTSE 100 saw a volatile end to the trading session on Monday as a number of conflicting news reports emerged from the Italian exit polls. Milan's FTSE MIB index gained as much as 4.0% earlier in the day after it was rumoured that centre-left Pier Luigi Bersani could win a majority in both the l
Read moreSector movers: RBS and Barclays lead banks higher
25th Feb 2013 15:43
Cyclical sectors were performing well on Monday afternoon as stimulus hopes in the US and Japan increased risk appetite. Banks were among the highest risers with strong gains for RBS, Barclays and Standard Chartered helped the sector higher. Domestic lender Royal Bank of Scotland was up 2.9% at 35
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks lead the race
25th Feb 2013 14:36
Royal Bank of Scotland topped the FTSE 100 on Monday following reports it was poised to announce a plan to float part of its US business. It comes as the state-backed lender looks for ways to raise capital and restructure ahead of planned reprivatisation. Barclays followed closely behind as minorit
Read moreLondon midday: Banks lift markets higher despite UK downgrade
25th Feb 2013 11:47
The FTSE 100 was making decent gains on Monday morning in spite of Moody's stripping the UK of its prized 'AAA' credit rating, as sentiment was lifted by central-bank stimulus speculation in the US and Japan. Over the last few days, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke showed his commitment to the
Read moreAbsa minority shareholders support Barclays Africa deal, reports say
25th Feb 2013 09:27
Minority shareholders of South Africa's Absa Group reportedly backed a plan to buy the African operations of parent Barclays for 2.1bn dollars in new shares, according to a news report published by Reuters on Monday morning. The news agency reported that the deal, although dilutive to minority shar
Read moreLondon open: Stocks gains as market shrugs off UK downgrade
25th Feb 2013 08:19
Markets managed to shrug off the UK ratings downgrade and some disappointing economic data from China on Monday morning, as stocks advanced on the back of optimism surrounding central-bank stimulus. "Signs from the US and Japan indicate they will continue with their monetary policy for some time ye
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