London close: Markets higher on positive economic data
4th Nov 2013 16:28
- Miners gain after China data - HSBC beats forecasts with Q3 results - Weir, Ryanair issue profit warnings - ECB rate-cut speculation does the rounds techMARK 2,651.30 -0.24% FTSE 100 6,763.62 +0.43% FTSE 250 15,503.06 +0.31% Upbeat economic data from across the globe lifted the UK stock market o
Read moreCentrica boss Sam Laidlaw gives up bonus
4th Nov 2013 15:34
Centrica boss Sam Laidlaw has vowed to give up his bonus this year amid anger over rising energy bills, including a 9.2 per cent increase by its subsidiary British Gas. The Chief Executive said consumer confidence in the energy sector had fallen to "all time low" so he would forgo his bonus. "Just
Read moreLondon midday: HSBC, miners lift markets higher
4th Nov 2013 12:00
- HSBC beats forecasts with Q3 results - Weir, Ryanair issue profit warnings - Economic data, ECB rate-cut speculation drive markets techMARK 2,661.91 +0.16% FTSE 100 6,767.20 +0.48% FTSE 250 15,519.66 +0.41% UK markets were performing well on Monday morning, owing to speculation over a possible E
Read moreBroker tips: HSBC, Weir, Ryanair, Utilities
4th Nov 2013 11:47
Nomura has retained its 'buy' rating and 850p target price for global banking group HSBC following Monday's better-than-expected third-quarter figures. 'Clean' underlying revenue came in at $15,571m, ahead of the consensus estimate of $15,335m and Nomura's forecast of $15,145m. Meanwhile, the clean
Read moreBroker snap: SSE and Centrica downgraded due to political risk
4th Nov 2013 09:10
Investec has downgraded its ratings for UK-listed energy providers SSE and Centrica from 'add' to 'reduce' to reflect rising political risk. "The latest round of 'Big 6' bashing in Parliament signals that political headwinds for the UK's main energy suppliers (the so-called 'Big 6') are freshening,
Read moreLondon open: Markets gain after HSBC results, China data
4th Nov 2013 09:05
- HSBC impresses with Q3 profits - China services PMI paints improved outlook - Weir, Ryanair surprise with profit warnings techMARK 2,665.03 +0.28% FTSE 100 6,768.87 +0.51% FTSE 250 15,522.69 +0.43% UK markets started the new week on a positive note, helped by some well-received quarterly results
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
4th Nov 2013 08:07
Aggreko: Cantor Fitzgerald reduces target price from 2200p to 1700p downgrading to hold. Anglo American: Alphavalue upgrades from add to buy with a target price of 1801.3p. APR Energy: Cantor Fitzgerald raises target price from 670p to 1000p, but still recommends selling. Astra Zeneca: UBS reduce
Read moreInforma Finance Director sells up ahead of departure
25th Oct 2013 16:30
Adam Walker, the outgoing Finance Director at data publishing and events firm Informa, has reduced his stake in the FTSE 250 group by 344,483 shares. Walker, who two weeks ago announced his intention to become Finance Director at GKN, disposed of the shares at 554.26p, earning himself £1.91m. At
Read moreUtility groups banned from price increases on fixed-term tariffs
22nd Oct 2013 09:58
Energy regulator Ofgem on Tuesday unveiled new rules as part of its tougher stance on retail markets. Ofgem's tighter rules mean that energy suppliers are now banned from increasing prices on fixed-term tariffs in a bid to create a "simpler, clearer and fairer" energy market for customers. Build
Read moreEnQuest snaps up North Sea assets from Centrica, increases reserves
22nd Oct 2013 07:47
North Sea-focused oil and gas firm EnQuest is set to increase its reserves by 4.7m barrels of oil equivalents (mmboe) through the acquisition of a series of assets from Centrica. The firm is paying Centrica an initial consideration of $39.9m and assuming net debt of $5.1m for its entire 50% share i
Read moreBroker snap: Market overly cautious on SSE and Shanks, says Credit Suisse
18th Oct 2013 09:25
Credit Suisse has labelled SSE and Shanks as buying opportunities, saying that the market is overly cautious about these utility providers. Proposals by the Labour Party to freeze tariffs may have increased political risk perceptions in the industry, but this could be mitigated by reduced spend, Cr
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: December taper, Barclays, Energy bills
18th Oct 2013 07:28
The US government shutdown sabotaged a crucial month of data and dealt a blow to the world's largest economy, but the Federal Reserve could still begin reducing its asset purchases as early as December. Analysts have slashed their growth forecasts for the fourth quarter to two per cent or below, wit
Read moreCentrica announces 9.2 per cent jump in household energy prices
17th Oct 2013 10:26
British Gas owner Centrica has unveiled an average 9.2 per cent leap in household energy prices. As of November 23rd, gas bills will jump 8.4%, while electricity will rocket 10.4%. The changes will add about £2 a week to the average dual fuel bill. The group blamed the increasing cost of buying
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
14th Oct 2013 08:46
Admiral Group: JP Morgan cuts target price from 1122p to 1022p maintaining an underweight rating. Balfour Beatty: Numis increases target price from 285p to 315p and stays with its add rating. Bankers Petroleum: Goldman Sachs takes target price from 365p to 379p and reiterates a buy recommendation.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Persimmon boosted by 'Help to Buy' confidence
10th Oct 2013 14:35
House builder Persimmon was a high riser this afternoon as optimism over the government's 'Help to Buy' scheme continues to help the stock bounce off recent lows. The share price has now gained over 10 per cent over the last two days. Whitbread shares leapt on market chatter about a potential spin-
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