London midday: The 'Santa Rally' begins...

19th Dec 2012 11:35

An upgrade of Greece's credit rating and a better-than-expected reading of German sentiment saw European stock markets make impressive gains on Wednesday. Meanwhile, increasing optimism that US leaders can strike a deal to avert the 'fiscal cliff' was also continuing to bolster the bullish mood.

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Broker tips: Bunzl, GKN, Vesuvius

19th Dec 2012 11:18

Panmure Gordon has trimmed its target price for distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl following the company's poorly-received pre-close trading update on Wednesday morning. "We adjust our FY expectations marginally for foreign exchange, though we believe the shares remain a 'hold' and Bunzl one

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Broker snap: Panmure trims target for Bunzl to adjust for FX

19th Dec 2012 11:13

Panmure Gordon has trimmed its target price for distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl following the company's poorly-received pre-close trading update on Wednesday morning. The broker said that the statement suggests that all remains consistent with previous expectations, with 6% top line growth

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London open: Stocks rise on hopes over Greece

19th Dec 2012 08:16

UK stocks were making gains in early trading on Wednesday with sentiment being lifted by improving developments in Greece. Yesterday evening, S&P upgraded its rating for Greece from 'selective default' to 'B-minus'. The yield on a 10-year Greek bond was down 13 basis points at 12.7% this morning.

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Bunzl trading in line as acquisition trail continues

19th Dec 2012 07:07

Distribution and outsourcing firm Bunzl said overall trading has been consistent with expectations as it announced two more acquisitions in Canada and Australia. Bunzl has acquired McCordick Glove & Safety based near Toronto, Canada and Atlas Health Care in Adelaide, Australia. Bunzl did not disclo

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London close: Footsie slips into the red by the close

14th Dec 2012 16:28

After a decent start after some upbeat Chinese data, the Footsie was pressured into the red by the close of trade on Friday following a weak open on Wall Street. Nevertheless, losses in London were only modest, with the blue-chip index remaining close to the nine-month high reached earlier this week

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FTSE 100 movers: Miners gain on comments from UBS

14th Dec 2012 16:01

Mining stocks were among the best performers on Monday afternoon after UBS said that 2013 could provide meaningful upside to some commodity prices. "In our opinion, the macro backdrop for commodities is improving, with the new Chinese/ US governments promising pro-growth policy," the broker said.

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London midday: Gains erased as resource stocks shrug off Chinese data

14th Dec 2012 11:54

After a positive start, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index slipped into the red by midday, as investors shrugged off some better-than-expected data from Asian powerhouse China. The HSBC China flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose from 50.5 to 50.9 in December, slightly above the

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London open: Stocks lifted by Chinese manufacturing figures

14th Dec 2012 08:15

UK stocks edged higher in early trading on Friday, with upbeat data from China temporarily offsetting investor concerns over the 'fiscal cliff'. The HSBC flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose from 50.5 to 50.9 in December, slightly above the 50.8 forecast. This was its highest l

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Friday broker round-up UPDATE

14th Dec 2012 08:09

Anglo American: UBS reduces target price from 2150p to 1860p and downgrades to neutral. JP Morgan reiterates underweight. BG Group: Barclays reduces target price from 1490p to 1450p, while reiterating an overweight rating. BP: Barclays cuts target price from 500p to 480p and keeps an underweight r

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Friday broker round-up UPDATE

30th Nov 2012 07:24

Aggreko: Berenberg initiates with a target price of 2010p and a hold recommendation. APR Energy: Berenberg starts with a target price of 610p and a sell recommendation. Babcock International Group: Berenberg initiates with a target price of 1180p and a buy recommendation. Barclays: UBS raises tar

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London close: Losses erased after 'optimistic' fiscal cliff comments

28th Nov 2012 16:43

Comments from US Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner about the 'fiscal cliff' saw the FTSE 100 rally in afternoon trading to finish broadly flat. Markets got off to a poor start this morning after Nevada Democrat Harry Reid said that "little progress" has been made so far on avoiding the f

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FTSE 100 movers: Bunzl falls on reduced price target

28th Nov 2012 14:44

Bunzl shares took a hit after Citigroup cut its target price from 1,250p to 1,190p, and kept a neutral rating. AMEC, Johnson Matthey, National Grid and Tate & Lyle were also registering losses today after going ex-dividend. Medical technology group Smith & Nephew fell after announcing that it is

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London midday: 'Fiscal cliff' concerns dampen markets

28th Nov 2012 11:41

- Comments from Harry Reid weigh on sentiment - Intel rumoured to be interested in ARM - Ex-div stocks provide a drag The FTSE 100 was trading firmly in the red on Wednesday, tracking US stocks lower overnight as the market's focus turns from Greece to the US 'fiscal cliff'. The main US equity ben

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Wednesday broker round-up UPDATE

28th Nov 2012 07:26

ARM Holdings: Barclays Capital raises target price from 750p to 820p, overweight rating kept. Assura Group: Oriel Securities starts with an add recommendation. Espirito Santo moves target price from 37p to 37.50p, buy recommendation unchanged. Britvic: Deutsche Bank raises target price from 370p t

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