Broker tips: Kingfisher, Aveva, BT Group
9th Apr 2014 12:46
Analysts at UBS have lifted their price target on do-it-yourself retailer Kingfisher on expectations that the purchase of Mr.Bricolage offers greater scope to contribute to earnings than initially thought. The broker initially thought the transaction might be about 2% earnings accretive at the earn
Read moreBernstein downgrades BT on TV and competition fears
9th Apr 2014 09:55
Broker Bernstein has downgraded UK telecoms group BT, saying it may over-spend on TV sports rights and face more competition from rival Virgin Media. Bernstein, which reduced BT to 'market-perform' with a fair value of 385p, said "much good can be said" about BT and its investment case, although a
Read moreBT poaches Sky boss as new head of TV and sport
7th Apr 2014 09:23
Telecoms group BT has poached a top TV executive from arch-rival Sky to head up its own TV and sport service. Delia Bushell (41), who is Chief Commercial Officer of Sky Italia, is to join BT in July as its new Managing Director of BT TV and Sport, replacing Marc Watson. Bushell has spent the past
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: IMF, Business investment, Consumer spending
7th Apr 2014 07:14
Almost one year ago the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Chancellor George Osborne to abandon austerity and implement a so-called 'Plan B' to stimulate growth. However, as he prepares to head to the US this week, for the IMF's spring meetings, the Washington-based international lender is
Read moreUpcoming Premier League auction a risk for BSkyB, says HSBC
3rd Apr 2014 12:24
British Sky Broadcasting's share price took a knock on Thursday after analysts at HBSC said that the recent rally suggests that 'significant risks' are being overlooked. The bank kept an 'underweight' rating on the broadband and pay-TV group, while the target price for the shares has been cut from
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Pensions, UK Coal, BT Group
2nd Apr 2014 07:05
In remarks to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme the head of Financial Conduct Authority, Martin Wheatley, said that action on the exit penalties which reduce the value of pensions will be considered as part of the inquiry into old investments. Nevertheless, he refused to be drawn into anticipating what
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: Weir Group, Marks & Spencer, BT Group
1st Apr 2014 07:12
Engineering group Weir could be on the verge of a blockbuster 8.5bn pound merger with Finnish rival Metso. Like its Scottish rival it manufactures industrial pumps and valves for the global oil and gas mining markets. It is thought that Weir could be prepared to pay as much as 30 euros per share for
Read moreSector movers: Defensive stocks gain as markets retreat
27th Mar 2014 14:54
Most defensive stocks were performing well on Thursday as more cyclical sectors bore the brunt of profit-taking after markets rose to a two-week high the previous session. Heightened geopolitical tensions in Crimea were pulling the FTSE 100 back from its highest closing level since March 12th after
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Gold price pushes Fresnillo and Randgold higher
14th Mar 2014 14:52
A jump in the price of gold to a six-month high helped push Fresnillo and Randgold into positive territory today. The climb was being driven by events in Ukraine, as tension mount over its between the troubled country and neighbouring Russia. IMI also gained after Societe Generale increased its ta
Read moreBP Managing Director joins board of BT Group
10th Mar 2014 13:19
BP's Managing Director Iain Conn has joined the board of BT Group as a Non-Executive Director with effect from June 1st. Conn has been with BP since 1986, during which time he served as Chief Executive for three years before taking up his current role in 2007. He will step down from the board of
Read moreBroker tips: BAE Systems, RBS, BT Group, Rathbones Brothers
20th Feb 2014 12:49
Despite a warning from BAE Systems that cuts in US military spending will slash profits by up to 10 per cent, Jefferies has rated the stock a 'buy' with a price target of 350p, stating that the company's woes will be short-term as the firm's US businesses "hit bottom" in 2014. The stock sank sharpl
Read moreValuation gap in BT Group has closed materially, Credit Suisse says
20th Feb 2014 12:22
BT is set to continue benefiting from several favourable long-term trends, but the gap between consensus expectations for operating profits (in terms of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) and those of analysts at Credit Suisse has "closed materially" after the shares' mo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Sports Direct jumps after strong update
19th Feb 2014 14:02
Sports Direct International shot to the top of the risers after group sales in the quarter to January 26th rose 11.2 per cent from the previous year to 655.4m pounds. Gross profit gained 14.6 per cent to 280.7m pounds during the period with growth across all its divisions including Sports Retail, Br
Read moreBT brand shows most growth in 2013
18th Feb 2014 15:49
BT had the most successful year of growth of all British brands, findings by the Brand Finance Global 500 survey showed Tuesday. The annual study found that BT's brand value soared 70% to £9.3bn in 2013. "Its content focused strategy, investing huge sums in Rugby and in particular Premier League
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks driven higher by inflation data
18th Feb 2014 15:08
Banks charged higher on the news that UK inflation fell below the government's target of 2.0 per cent in January for the first time since 2009. Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays registered the strongest gains within their sector. BT shares were given a lift after the UK's Court of Appeal ruled t
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