Broker tips: Centrica, Chi-Med, IG Group
10th Dec 2010 13:29
Although estimates have been scaled back, Nomura retains its positive stance on Centrica as the company is best placed to benefit from the changes of the energy and home services industry. The broker maintains that the utility group will be its top pick in 2011, as it will be able to adapt from UK
Read moreBroker snap: Centrica well placed in market
10th Dec 2010 10:54
Although estimates have been scaled back, Nomura retains its positive stance on Centrica as the company is best placed to benefit from the changes of the energy and home services industry. The broker maintains that the utility group will be its top pick in 2011, as it will be able to adapt from UK
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Glencore, Energy bills, RBS...
5th Dec 2010 10:38
Glencore, the world's biggest commodities trader, is poised for a £31bn float that should be one of the largest ever on the London Stock Exchange. The Switzerland-based group has lined up three investment banks ? Credit Suisse, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley ? to prepare for a stock market debut as e
Read moreSnowy weather hits retailers
2nd Dec 2010 13:25
The current spell of wintery weather has already begun taking its toll on businesses. The sportswear and equipment retailer JJB Sports and the department store group John Lewis have both complained that the wintery conditions have been keeping shoppers away. While bad weather does not usually have
Read moreLondon close: Rally falters as eurozone worries continue
26th Nov 2010 16:53
A sharp rally following earlier heavy losses nearly lifted Footsie into positive territory in the afternoon but the rally fizzled out and the leading share index closed lower, with European debt concerns still looming large. Portugal is currently going down the path trodden by Ireland and denying i
Read moreLondon afternoon: Losses pared
26th Nov 2010 14:39
After briefly dipping below 5600 this morning Footsie more or less halved its losses over the lunchtime session, though heavy falls are still being sustained by miners and banks. Portugal is currently going down the path trodden by Ireland and denying it is in need of a bail-out and, as with Irelan
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks take a beating
26th Nov 2010 13:28
Banks continue to decline because of worries about the euro-debt crisis with Lloyds and RBS leading the way. Rio Tinto says that capital spending will probably be around US$13bn in the 18 months to December 2011. That didn't prevent the share price declining along with other miners. Centrica, whi
Read moreLondon open: Early falls for blue chips
26th Nov 2010 08:47
Losses in Asia, a lack of direction from Wall Street, where traders sat out Thursday's session for Thanksgiving, and little company news have made for a dull start. Power companies are the main point of interest after Ofgem launched a new investigation after fresh data revealed a sharp increase in
Read moreScottish Power announces price rises
19th Nov 2010 16:26
ScottishPower has become the latest energy company to announce a rise in gas and electricity prices for winter. Tariffs for 2.5m households will climb by an average of 2% for gas and by 8.9% for electricity, the power group said. Last week, British Gas (owned by Centrica) followed in the footstep
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Derwent London, Close Brothers, Centrica...
19th Nov 2010 06:40
Derwent London, the office landlord, joined the chorus of commercial property companies singing the praises of London's buoyant market yesterday. It is encouraged by the continued improvement" of the market in the heart of the capital, despite economic conditions remaining "uncertain". Rentals are
Read moreLondon open: Footsie flat after jitttery start
17th Nov 2010 09:44
Shares are flat now following a jittery start that has seen worries over Ireland take centre stage again. Over here, utility group Centrica said it had a strong third quarter, with operating profit forecasts for 2010 "slightly" ahead of current market expectations, though earnings per share will li
Read moreLondon pre-open: EU woes pose further threat
17th Nov 2010 07:28
Big losses on Wall Street last night and a mixed session in Asia don't bode well for London this morning, with further declines expected early doors. Futures prices point to a quick 14-point decline at the start of play. The Dow Jones sank 178 points Tuesday as the debt crisis situation in Europe w
Read moreCentrica enjoys strong quarter
17th Nov 2010 07:02
Utility group Centrica had a strong third quarter, with operating profit forecasts for 2010 "slightly" ahead of current market expectations, though earnings per share will likely match estimates. British Gas, which last week announced a 7% hike in bills for both electricity and gas, is still doing
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rallies to narrow losses
12th Nov 2010 16:47
Footsie recovered from an early slump to close just a few points lower as well-received company updates nearly cancelled out losses in the mining sector. Miners were big fallers on disappointment with the outcome at the G20 meeting and the possibility of a currency free-for-all. Talk that China is
Read moreSector movers: British Gas price rise cheers utilities
12th Nov 2010 14:47
There's nothing like charging your customers more to boost your shareholders' portfolios, so the utility sector is going well after British Gas owner Centrica said it will raise householders' gas and electricity bills by an average of 7% from 10 December. Mining stocks have given up a recent strong
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