London open: Wall Street tailwinds lift London
21st Dec 2011 08:34
Following last night's strong showing on Wall Street, UK shares are heading higher this morning, although in more leisurely fashion than their US counterparts did yesterday. Investors do not seem to be too fazed by credit ratings agency Moody's saying Britain's cherished triple-AAA credit rating co
Read moreLondon pre-open: London not bothered by Moody's warning
21st Dec 2011 07:31
Investors do not seem to be too fazed by credit ratings agency Moody's saying Britain's cherished triple-AAA credit rating could be under threat if the Eurozone crisis worsens. Moody's Investors Service said last night: "Any additional weakening in the macro-economic outlook or a need to support th
Read moreBeazley approaches Hardy Underwriting - UPDATE
21st Dec 2011 07:17
A merger of Lloyd's of London underwriters could be on the cards after Beazley said it is interested in acquiring rival Hardy Underwriting. While Beazley has reassured that this does not represent a firm intention to make an offer, it did confirm its interest in "entering into exploratory discussi
Read moreMonday broker round-up - UPDATE
5th Dec 2011 08:45
Kingfisher: Credit Suisse raises price target to 310p from 295p, outperform rating kept. Berkeley Group: Credit Suisse raises target to 1,225p from 1,079p, maintains neutral. Berkeley Group: UBS raises target to 1,530p from 1,480p. BG Group: UBS ups price target to 1,635p from 1,600p, stays at
Read moreBeazley sees flat premiums
16th Nov 2011 08:05
Insurance firm Beazley saw flat premiums for the nine months ended 30 September. The group was hit by the catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 in Japan, New Zealand and Australia and believes the flat premiums are a good result for the firm. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Horton said:
Read moreBroker tips: Centrica, Howden Joinery, Beazley
22nd Jul 2011 12:19
Credit Suisse recommends to buy UK energy giant Centrica at current levels, saying that its full-year earnings estimates are ahead of consensus, reflecting its bullish view on supply margins within British Gas Residential Energy (BGRE). In regards to BGRE, Credit Suisse forecasts a top-of-the-rang
Read moreBroker snap: Beazley constrained by catastrophes, says Peel Hunt
22nd Jul 2011 12:17
Peel Hunt maintains its hold rating on insurance firm Beazley, saying there is downward pressure on its forecasts based on the losses seen in the first half and the higher-than-expected expense ratio. The group reported catastrophe losses of $183m over the first half, contributing to a pre-tax loss
Read moreBeazley weathers catastrophe storm
22nd Jul 2011 09:19
Beazley, the insurance company, incurred a pre-tax loss of $24.2m (£14.8m) in the first six months of 2011, during a tumultuous period that saw a series of catastrophes in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US. In its interim management statement, Beazley confirms its $154m estimate of net cost
Read more3i director buys ahead of share price jump
12th May 2011 17:16
Willem Mesdag, a director at the private equity group 3i, invested more than £280,000 in the company following well-received full-year results and benefited from a strong rise in the share price. He took 100,000 shares at 281p a time. The shares closed just shy of 290p, meaning that Mesdag has made
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish for FTSE 100
21st Apr 2011 16:53
Shares calmed down at the end of a volatile week, though there were some interesting company updates for traders to get their teeth into ahead of the Easter break. Data search software firm Autonomy stormed ahead after releasing full-year figures in the afternoon. It posted record earnings in the f
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: William Hill bets on full year targets
21st Apr 2011 13:33
Bookmaker William Hill is the best performer after reporting an 11% rise in revenues in the 13 weeks to 29 March. "We have seen excellent growth across our business in the first quarter, enabling us to remain confident in our expectations for the full year," chief executive Ralph Topping said. Rival
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction
21st Apr 2011 12:03
Shares have paused for breath following sharp jump yesterday. William Hill raced ahead after the bookmaker reported good growth in its retail and online operations in the 13 weeks to 29 March. Total revenues were up by 11% from the same period a year ago, with retail seeing an 8% rise and online r
Read moreLondon open: Rally continues after Wall Street surge
21st Apr 2011 08:37
Another stonking performance by US stocks overnight has sent shares higher still, with this morning's company updates also sparking buying interest. William Hill raced ahead after the bookmaker reported good growth in its retail and online operations in the 13 weeks to 29 March. Total revenues were
Read moreAsia-Pacific disasters to cost Beazley $154m
21st Apr 2011 08:33
Specialist insurer and reinsurer Beazley is crossing its fingers that there will be no more catastrophes this year after a series of disasters in the first quarter struck the Asia-Pacific region. "The first quarter of 2011 has seen catastrophe losses in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. As a resul
Read moreLondon close: Japanese concerns knock Footsie
14th Mar 2011 16:47
London closed near to its low for the day as a decline on Wall Street dragged the market lower later in the day and there were concerns about the possible effects of the Japanese earthquake on financial markets and global economies. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick o
Read more