London close: Stocks rally strongly after Swiss move as ECB stimulus hopes rise
15th Jan 2015 16:36
A surprise policy move by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) resulted in a choppy day for UK markets on Thursday, though stocks were able to regain their composure and rally strongly as the dust settled. The FTSE 100 finished the session 110.32 points higher at 6,498.78, up 1.7% on the day due to increas
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Oil stocks gain, Bovis Homes falls despite profit gains
15th Jan 2015 15:05
The energy sector was dominating the risers list on Thursday as oil prices began to rebound slightly. Afren, Premier Oil, Soco International and Cairn Energy were all on the incline. Savills was also increasing after the estate agency said revenues and profits in December had "significantly exceed[e
Read moreBovis reports increase in profitability ahead of FY results
15th Jan 2015 08:36
An increase in the number of houses sold and a rise in the average sales price, saw Bovis Homes Group report improved profitability in 2014. The housebuilder said it had registered a 29% growth year-on-year in legal completions to a number of 3,635 homes, while the group's average sales price rose 1
Read moreBroker tips: AstraZeneca, Laird, Housing stocks, Oil prices
9th Jan 2015 11:43
AstraZeneca's drug pipeline is still "under-appreciated", according to UBS which hiked its target price for the stock by 10% on Friday. The bank said it sees a number of "blockbuster opportunities" for the pharmaceutical group in the near term, as it lifted its target for the shares from 5,000p to 5
Read moreHousebuilders suffer as brokers downgrade on valuations grounds
9th Jan 2015 08:56
Broker Jefferies was one of several to cut ratings on almost all the homebuilders, with Barratt Developments, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes and others downgraded on the view that valuations were becoming too stretched. There has been a steady decline in mortgage approvals in recent months, w
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks trim gains ahead of early finish on NYE
31st Dec 2014 11:25
UK stocks had pared gains by midday but were still trading marginally in positive territory heading into the close on a shortened New Year's Eve session. The FTSE 100 was up 0.05% at 6,551 by noon on the last trading day of the year, but looks set to finish December down 2.6% - its worst December in
Read moreThursday broker round-up
4th Dec 2014 08:46
Aberdeen: Charles Stanley downgrades to 'hold'. Afren: Canaccord reduces target price from 115p to 65p, while staying with its 'speculative buy' recommendation. Amino Technologies: Northland moves target price from 120p to 130p and retains a 'buy' recommendation. Belgravium Technologies: WH Irelan
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: House-builders fall on slower autumn sales
7th Nov 2014 16:02
Service companies and house-builders were on the move on Friday after updates from several companies in the sectors. Rat-catching group Rentokil Initial failed to snare investors after it blamed currency headwinds and tough markets in mainland Europe for lower revenue and profits at actual exchan
Read moreBovis Homes expects 'strong increase' in full-year profits
7th Nov 2014 07:55
UK housebuilder Bovis Homes has said it expects a "significant increase" in shareholder returns this year as it noted a recent improvement in conditions after a subdued summer. Chief executive David Ritchie said that the company is "anticipating a strong increase in profit for 2014". Current consens
Read moreBovis Homes chief adds 25,000 shares following news of CFO's plans for departure
6th Oct 2014 16:19
Chief executive of Bovis Homes, David Ritchie, has bumped up his stake in the house builder with the addition of 25,000 shares. Taking his interest in the company to just above 146,000 shares, Ritchie spent 773.50p a share on the £193,375 deal, which was made on behalf of one of his connected person
Read moreMiller Homes pulls float, blames housebuilders
3rd Oct 2014 13:31
Housebuilder Miller Homes has pulled out of its planned flotation, which had been expected to raise around £140m and would have valued the company at £450m. The group blamed weakness in the sector, noting that on the FTSE 250 housebuilding stocks gauge had declined around 5% between Monday and Frida
Read moreTuesday share tips: UK house builders, ABF
9th Sep 2014 07:00
Some of the froth has come off the housing market, but home prices have hardly crashed and the largest firms continue to offer attractions for investors. Indeed, shares in the seven largest builders have underperformed the FTSE All-Share during the last six months. However, interest rates, even if t
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise on UK construction data, ECB hopes
2nd Sep 2014 12:00
- UK construction PMI unexpectedly rises - Stimulus hopes high ahead of Thusday's ECB meeting - Weir lifted by Credit Suisse upgrade - Mining, supermarket stocks provide a lift techMARK 2,855.10 -0.12% FTSE 100 6,835.10 +0.14% FTSE 250 15,970.91 +0.09% UK stock rose for the third straight session
Read moreSector movers: Housing stocks drop on rate-hike fears, Balfour sinks
20th Aug 2014 15:45
Renewed concerns about an interest-rate hike this year dampened the demand for housebuilding and construction stocks on Wednesday, as investors worried about the potential impact from policy tightening on the housing market. Meanwhile, another takeover rejection by infrastructure specialist Balfour
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks near three-week high as inflation eases
19th Aug 2014 12:07
- UK inflation drops to four-month low of 1.6% - Housebuilders, retailers on the rise - Imperial impresses with results, BHP falls on demerger plans techMARK 2,802.05 +0.72% FTSE 100 6,766.71 +0.38% FTSE 250 15,903.92 +0.68% UK stocks extended their winning streak into the fifth session on Tuesday
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