FTSE 100 movers: Next slumps on weak outlook, tobacco stocks lower
19th Mar 2015 13:44
Shares in Next slumped as the fashion retailer took a cautious view of the outlook for the 2015-2016 financial year, saying some of its collections are "not as strong as they were at this point last year". Tobacco stocks such as British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco Group were among the wors
Read moreBudget preview: Osborne's expected pre-election pledges
17th Mar 2015 16:15
On Wednesday, George Osborne announces his pre-election Budget, with several industries expected to see major proposals to woo voters and businesses. The Chancellor will deliver his budget speech to the House of Commons at 12:30, around a week before parliament adjourns ahead of May's general electi
Read moreMPs vote to replace cigarette branding with standardised packaging
11th Mar 2015 17:51
Britain's parliament approved legislation banning branding on cigarette packs, a move that immediately drew threats of legal action from the tobacco industry. MPs passed the laws with the intent of improving public health and cutting child smoker figures, although the £19.4bn tobacco industry says t
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
3rd Mar 2015 16:59
St. James's Place: Morgan Stanley ups target to 1,097p from 963p while reiterating overweight stance. AO World: Cannacord Genuity lowers target to 170p from 220p and reiterates hold. British American Tobacco: Jefferies raises target to 4,440p from 4,140p and reiterates buy. Kaz Minerals: Exane BNP
Read moreBritish American Tobacco offers $3.5bn for remaining Souza Cruz shares
3rd Mar 2015 07:34
British American Tobacco (BAT) has submitted a request to purchase the 24.7% of Souza Cruz shares that it does not already own, according to an investor note released on Tuesday. The $3.5bn proposal covers a price per share of R$26.75, which would be paid in Brazilian real and reduced by any dividen
Read moreLondon close: FTSE edges higher to new record close
26th Feb 2015 16:48
London's FTSE 100 managed to inch higher to a new record high on Thursday as improving economic data across Europe and positive developments in Ukraine boosted markets after a slow start. The UK benchmark index finished the day up 14.35 points at a new closing high of 6,949.73, up 0.2% on the day an
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks holding steady on a busy day
26th Feb 2015 12:20
UK stock markets were rangebound on Thursday morning on a busy day for corporate earnings and economic data, as investors maintained a cautious approach following the record peaks reached earlier in the week. London's FTSE 100 was up just 0.04% at 6,938.10 by midday, trading within a narrow range of
Read moreLondon open: Influx of earnings and economic data keeps stocks flat
26th Feb 2015 08:24
UK stocks were more or less flat on Thursday morning with markets fluctuating at record highs amid a barrage of corporate earnings and economic data. The FTSE 100 was up just 0.03% at 6,937.80 early on. The index set a closing all-time high of 6,949.63 on Tuesday, having reached an intraday record o
Read moreBAT's annual profits hit by litigation charge and foreign exchange movements
26th Feb 2015 07:35
British American Tobacco (BAT) reported a drop in annual profit from operations as the cigarette maker was it by a non-tobacco litigation charge and foreign exchange movements. Profit from operations, at current rates of exchange, was 17.7% lower at £4.5bn, mainly reflecting the $575m legal settleme
Read moreBAT to buy remaining stake of its Brazilian unit
23rd Feb 2015 15:23
Tobacco industry giant British American Tobacco (BAT) is set to buy out the minority in its Brazilian arm for about $3bn (£1.94bn). BAT already owns 65.3% of Souza Cruz SA and will pay 26.75 reais (£6.03) per share in cash for the remaining shares, which represents a 13% premium on the group's closi
Read moreBritish American Tobacco unveils three new non-executive directors
29th Jan 2015 07:46
British American Tobacco has unveiled the appointment of its latest batch of non-executive directors. The firm listed Sue Farr, Pedro Malan and Dimitri Panayotopoulos as new board members. The new appointments will take effect from 2 February 2015 and have been directors of several publicly quoted
Read moreBritish American Tobacco welcomes three new board directors
22nd Jan 2015 07:05
British American Tobacco confirmed on Thursday that three new members will join its board as non-executive directors. Sue Farr, Pedro Malan and Dimitri Panayotopoulos will be established board directors as of 2 February, according to a statement released by the group. Farr is the former chairwoman
Read moreDirector deals: BATS chairman Burrows moves in for more shares
2nd Jan 2015 14:43
Although shares in British American Tobacco in late November hit an all-time high, the chairman of the company has delved into his savings for a major share purchase. Richard Burrows, who has been chairman since 2009 after a long career in the drinks business, including as chief executive of Pernod
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks extends gains as markets track Wall Street higher
19th Dec 2014 11:07
UK stocks extended their winning streak into the fourth day on Friday as a welcome, albeit late, Santa Rally kicked in following the recent sell-off. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.3% higher at 6,486 by noon and has now gained nearly 5% since Tuesday. "He left it late this year, but Santa finally provi
Read moreLondon open: FTSE rises for fourth day as late Santa Rally kicks in
19th Dec 2014 08:27
UK stocks rose for a fourth straight day on Friday following massive gains on Wall Street the night before, with the Dow Jones index registering its biggest one-day gain in three years. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.6% at 6,506 in early deals and has now risen by over 5% since Tuesday. Mike van Dulken
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