Broker tips: Utilities, Laird, Bookmakers
22nd Mar 2012 11:41
While Nomura has maintained a bearish view on the UK utilities sector, yesterday's Budget did include a cut in corporation tax leading the broker to upgrade its target prices for utilities under its coverage. Nomura made the following changes to its ratings/reiterations in the utilities sector toda
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura lifts targets for utilities after Budget
22nd Mar 2012 10:26
While Nomura has maintained a bearish view on the UK utilities sector, yesterday's Budget did include a cut in corporation tax leading the broker to upgrade its target prices for utilities under its coverage. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced yesterday that the planned sequence o
Read moreThursday broker round-up
22nd Mar 2012 09:58
AMEC: JP Morgan Cazenove downgrades from overweight to neutral, target lifted from 1,252p to 1,344p. AstraZeneca: Liberium Capital upgrades from sell to buy, target lifted from 2,700p to 3,100p. British Land: Espirto Santo downgrades from buy to neutral. Capital Shopping Centres Group: Societe Ge
Read moreBroker tips: Unilever, Regus, Energy stocks
20th Mar 2012 11:19
Investec has cut its recommendation for food and cosmetic goods giant Unilever from buy to hold and cut its target price from 2,170p to 2,100p - the first time it has downgraded the stock in 17 years. While the broker says it is still an admirer of the company, two things are a cause for concern: a
Read moreBroker snap: Uncertainty persists in the energy sector, says Nomura
20th Mar 2012 10:17
Nomura has highlighted National Grid and United Utilities as its key picks in the UK utilities sector, but has warned that uncertainties still remain given the current climate and regulatory intervention. "Energy continues to be a contentious issue in UK politics - the economic downturn, combined w
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
20th Mar 2012 10:04
Aggreko: Credit Suisse raises target from 2,140p to 2,350p, neutral rating kept. ARM Holdings: BarCap upgrades from equal weight to overweight, target lifted from 700p to 725p; Investec upgrades from hold to buy, target lifted from 640p to 800p. Centrica: Nomura raises target from 340p to 350p, n
Read moreLondon open: Markets await news from Greece
8th Mar 2012 08:34
- Greek debt-swap participation rate estimated at 60 percent. - Markets await policy decisions from BoE, ECB. - ARM rises after iPad launch, Morrison jumps on strong 2011. London's blue chip index continued its strong performance ahead of policy decisions from the Bank of England (BoE) and the Euro
Read moreLondon open: Stocks fall ahead of Greek debt-swap
6th Mar 2012 08:33
- IIF warns of 1trn euro damage to Eurozone. - Fresnillo bucks sector trend to rise after results. - Defensives in demand. With just a couple days to go before the Greek debt-swap deadline, investors were in a cautious mood as the Footsie slipped lower in early trading on Tuesday. Europe is awaiti
Read moreLondon close: Footsie falls, banks rise but miners provide a drag
2nd Mar 2012 16:33
- Kazakhmys drops after broker downgrades. - Banks jumps after Goldman comments. - Eurogroup releases 58bn euros but delays full Greek bailout. - 25 EU members sign fiscal pact. The FTSE 100 fell close to its lowest levels of the day on Friday as Eurozone concerns continued to dampen the mood. A
Read moreLondon open: Footsie flat after Eurogroup delays full Greek bailout
2nd Mar 2012 08:33
- Eurogroup releases 58bn euros but delays full Greek bailout. - ECB 'reasonably satisfied' with LTRO - International Power rises on Indonesian deal. The Footsie opened flat in early trading on Friday on news that European leaders have delayed the decision to fully bail out Greece for another 10 da
Read moreLondon close: US data provides a lift
23rd Feb 2012 16:28
- US data comes in better-than-expected. - EC cuts GDP estimates across the board. - RBS, Capita lead risers after full-year results. London's blue chip index finished strongly on Thursday, gaining nearly 40 points in the final two hours, after some better-than-expected economic data Stateside bo
Read moreLondon midday: Gains trimmed after gloomy EU growth forecasts
23rd Feb 2012 11:56
- EC cuts GDP estimates across the board. - RBS, Capita lead risers after full-year results. - German IFO survey comes in at six-month high. After a strong start, gains for the Footsie were pared by lunchtime after the European Commission cut its forecasts for economic growth. The market reaction t
Read moreUpstream top ranking at Centrica
23rd Feb 2012 11:03
Centrica is best known as a household energy provider operating under the British Gas and Scottish Gas brands, but it is the firm's gas and power producing assets that are driving profits growth. The firm announced an underlying operating profit of £2,415m for 2011, up a smidgen from 2010's £2,390m
Read moreLondon open: RBS provides a boost early on
23rd Feb 2012 08:25
- RBS leads banks higher after results. - Capita rises strongly after bullish outlook. - EU expected to cut Eurozone GDP forecasts. The Footsie opened slightly higher on Thursday as the markets digested a host of results, with heavyweights such as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Capita, Centrica, RSA
Read moreLondon pre-open: Markets set for a flat start
23rd Feb 2012 07:32
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open flat following yesterday's close of 5,917, with investor focus likely to be on RBS results and somewhat dampened by a fall seen across the major US indices last night. Provisions for mis-selling of payment protection insurance schemes and Greek debt ens
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