London open: Markets flat on budget deal, taper speculation

11th Dec 2013 08:28

- US negotiators reach budget deal - Taper speculation ramps up ahead of Fed meeting - Imagination disappoints with poor H2 outlook - RBS Finance Director Bostock steps down techMARK 2,678.82 +0.23% FTSE 100 6,524.52 +0.02% FTSE 250 15,401.84 -0.06% Markets opened broadly flat on Wednesday in the

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Sunday newspaper round-up: Centrica, RBS, H&T

8th Dec 2013 19:07

The Chairman of Centrica has called for an end to "Punch and Judy" arguments about energy prices as analysts calculated that up to £11bn has been wiped off the value of energy companies in two months, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Sir Roger Carr said any attempt at capping prices would lack logic a

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London close: Resource-heavy FTSE 100 falls as metals' prices slump

2nd Dec 2013 16:43

- Taper speculation picks up ahead of non-farm payrolls - Global manufacturing figures beat forecasts - Miners sold off as metal prices fall - Supermarkets hit by competition fears techMARK 2,653.70 -0.76% FTSE 100 6,595.33 -0.83% FTSE 250 15,334.75 -0.85% London's FTSE 100 finished with moderate

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FTSE 100 movers: Miners and supermarkets push lower

2nd Dec 2013 15:42

Mining stocks were under pressure as commodity prices declined with precious metals peers Fresnillo and Randgold tracking gold and silver lower early on. As well, in a research note issued today analysts at Citi wrote that: "We remain underweight the gold and base metals stocks and our least favoure

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Broker tips: Tesco, Aberdeen, Debenhams, Utilities

2nd Dec 2013 12:05

Tesco's share price was firmly lower on Monday morning after analysts at HSBC downgraded their rating on the stock from 'neutral' to 'underweight'. "We believe a 5.2% UK operating margin is not sustainable, and that aiming for any margin is the wrong strategy. In our view, a margin fall in inevita

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London midday: Markets fall, shrug off upbeat manufacturing data

2nd Dec 2013 11:24

- Markets lower ahead of data-heavy week - Non-farm payrolls, taper in focus - Investors shrug off positive manufacturing figures this morning - Broker downgrades hit Tesco, Aberdeen, Debenhams techMARK 2,659.11 -0.55% FTSE 100 6,610.41 -0.60% FTSE 250 15,380.56 -0.56% Markets in the UK and across

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Broker snap: Deutsche Bank cautious about margins at Centrica and SSE

2nd Dec 2013 09:42

Deutsche Bank has taken Centrica off its 'buy' list and retained a 'hold' recommendation for SSE, despite that the government's efforts over the weekend to address energy affordability. After the Labour party continued to attack the energy retailers and promised a price freeze if it wins the next g

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Centrica to reduce British Gas bills by an average of 53 pounds

2nd Dec 2013 08:30

Centrica has unveiled plans to reduce its British Gas customer bills by an average of 53 pounds a year. The reduction comes after British Gas decided to reduce its household gas and electricity prices by an average of 3.2%, which is equal to an average of £41 of the firm's average annual dual fuel

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Monday broker round-up UPDATE

2nd Dec 2013 08:22

Aberdeen Asset Management: Credit Suisse raises target price from 465p to 515p and maintains a neutral rating. Admiral Group: Citi moves target price from 1215p to 1220p and retains a neutral rating. AVEVA Group: Numis upgrades to buy with a target price of 2980p. AZ Electronic Materials: Deutsch

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London open: Markets fall ahead of data-heavy week

2nd Dec 2013 08:12

- Markets drop ahead of key week for data - Chinese manufacturing beat forecasts in November - Utility companies pledge to pass on savings to customers techMARK 2,662.77 -0.42% FTSE 100 6,618.77 -0.48% FTSE 250 15,414.98 -0.33% UK stocks started December on a rather sour note, with markets sinking

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London open: Markets edge higher ahead of UK GDP figures

27th Nov 2013 08:15

- Second estimate of Q3 UK GDP due for release - Plenty of economic data from the States - Ex-dividend stocks limit gains in London techMARK 2,654.69 +0.19% FTSE 100 6,649.71 +0.20% FTSE 250 15,370.31 +0.42% UK markets edged higher on Wednesday morning despite some ex-dividend stocks capping gains

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Friday broker round-up UPDATE

22nd Nov 2013 08:04

African Barrick Gold: Westhouse Securities upgrades to neutral with a target price of 170p. Antofagasta: Investec cuts target price from 737p to 716p and keeps a sell recommendation. Bank of Georgia: Numis raises target price from 2101p to 2662p and maintains a buy recommendation. Canaccord Genuit

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Plexus does 0.85m-pound deal with Centrica

19th Nov 2013 12:38

Oil and gas engineering service business Plexus Holdings has extended a contract with Centrica North Sea Gas in a deal worth up to 850,000 pounds. Plexus has agreed to supply the gas production arm of the owner of British Gas with supply extra drilling equipment for the GROVE 49/10a-4 (G1) product

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London close: Markets gain on QE speculation, Vedanta drops

15th Nov 2013 17:02

- Stocks extend gains on US stimulus hopes - US industrial production, NY manufacturing data misses forecasts - Vedanta drops sharply after interim report techMARK 2,649.29 0.00% FTSE 100 6,693.44 +0.41% FTSE 250 15,246.58 -0.07% Markets ended Friday's session with decent gains as investors contin

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FTSE 100 movers: Vedanta shares hit by revenue decline

15th Nov 2013 14:27

Mining group Vedanta Resources dropped sharply lower as investors reacted to a 17 per cent drop in first-half revenue to 6.2bn dollars on the back of falling commodity prices. Shares in Centrica extended yesterday's declines which came after it warned market conditions remained challenging, partic

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