BT's bid for EE faces in-depth probe
9th Jun 2015 12:10
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Tuesday that it has fast-tracked BT Group's deal to acquire EE to a "phase 2" investigation - a deeper probe of the deal - due to concerns about competition. The CMA said that the sale of EE to BT by Deutsche Telekom and Orange could lead to a subs
Read moreBT sets sights on Champions League success as broadcaster unveils new coverage
9th Jun 2015 10:55
BT Sport has launched its Champions League and Europa League coverage and confirmed both competitions will be free to customers who take BT TV. The broadcaster, which has invested £897m to secure exclusive rights for European football's elite competition for the next three seasons, said customers wh
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Diageo surges on bid speculation, miners lower
8th Jun 2015 13:49
UK stocks were trading slightly higher on Monday, led by strength in the telecommunications, construction and transport sectors. As of 15:15 BST, the FTSE 100 was trading 0.17% higher at 8,816. Diageo led the risers following media reports of bid interest over the weekend. 3G Capital, which is owne
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: BT Group, Bank Levy, Shire
8th Jun 2015 07:46
BT is set to become a takeover target for Deutsche Telekom as an international telecoms merger frenzy intensifies, according to senior industry executives and City analysts. Speculation of a potential tie-up comes as the German giant is reportedly in advanced talks to merge its American arm, T-Mobil
Read moreBT reportedly seen as takeover target for Deutsche Telekom
8th Jun 2015 07:21
BT Group is set to become a takeover target for Deutsche Telekom, according to media reports. Speculation of a tie-up comes as Deutsche Telekom is reportedly in advanced talks to merge its American arm, T-Mobile US, with satellite pay-TV operator Dish Networks. If a deal is struck, the likelihood of
Read moreRaymond James cuts BT to 'underperform'; sees headwinds from changing competitive landscape
28th May 2015 15:48
Raymond James downgraded its stance on BT Group to 'underperform' from 'strong buy' and cut its price target to 438p from 500p on Thursday, pointing to a radical change in the competitive market. "Significant competitive risks are set to materialise soon, creating a market where six-eight key brands
Read moreThursday broker round-up
28th May 2015 09:44
Direct Line: JP Morgan upgrades to overweight. Admiral: JP Morgan reiterates underweight. TUI: JP Morgan stays at overweight with 1,275p target. RSA: JP Morgan ups target to 451p from 433p, keeps at neutral. SAGA: JP Morgan raises target to 207p from 185p but remains at neutral. De La Rue: JP MOrg
Read moreBT makes further attack on Sky with HBO Game of Thrones download deal
21st May 2015 11:45
BT Group has signed a television partnership with 'Game of Thrones' producer HBO Home Entertainment whereby customers can download programmes 'for keeps'. All episodes of HBO programmes, including the first four Game of Thrones seasons, comedy series Entourage and crime drama True Detective, shown o
Read moreBT urges CMA to fast-track investigation on EE deal
18th May 2015 15:57
Telecoms giant BT has asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to move onto a full investigation of its £12.5m takeover bid for UK mobile network operator EE from Orange and Deutsche Telekom. In a statement released on Monday, the FTSE 100 group said it had formally asked CMA to bypass the
Read moreOfcom demands BT open up business broadband network
15th May 2015 08:58
The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has set out new proposals to weaken the hold of BT on the business broadband market. New measures announced by Ofcom on Friday will force BT to give competitors physical access to its 'dark fibre' network of fibre-optic cables and to provide minimum service levels for
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: SNP, New Look, Greece, US shale
15th May 2015 07:07
The Scottish National Party is prepared to defy David Cameron and push ahead with a second Scottish independence referendum without Westminster's permission if the prime minister refuses any future demand to hold one, the Guardian reports. New Look has ditched plans to list on the stock market after
Read moreFriday tips round-up: RSA, BT Group
8th May 2015 11:51
RSA's new chief, Stephen Hester, has done all that could be expected of him to right the ship since he came on board. He strengthened the balance sheet through a rights issue and cut costs while sharpening the underwriting arm. But falling interest rates took the wind out of the sails at just the wr
Read moreLondon close: Late rally not enough as UK stocks fall on election day
7th May 2015 16:33
Stocks rallied off five-week lows on Thursday afternoon but still finished firmly in the red, as election-day jitters in the UK and volatility in the European bond markets weighed on sentiment. The FTSE 100 ended the session down 0.67% at 6,886.95 having dropped as much as 1.8% in the morning sessio
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Morrisons sinks 6% as sales decline continues
7th May 2015 15:06
Morrisons was the standout mover of the day on Thursday as investors reacted to deteriorating sales trends at the grocer in its first quarter. Like-for-like sales dropped 2.9% in its first three months of the fiscal year, compared with a lesser 2.6% fall in the fourth quarter. Results were not as ba
Read moreLondon open: Election uncertainty weighs on stocks, Morrisons sinks
7th May 2015 09:11
UK stocks dropped on Thursday as election uncertainty and a poorly-received update from blue chip supermarket chain Morrisons dampened sentiment. The FTSE 100 was down 0.8% at 6,878.01 early on, with Morrisons leading the decline as sales trends worsened in its first quarter. Stocks in the resources
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