London midday: 'Fiscal cliff' concerns dampen markets
28th Nov 2012 11:41
- Comments from Harry Reid weigh on sentiment - Intel rumoured to be interested in ARM - Ex-div stocks provide a drag The FTSE 100 was trading firmly in the red on Wednesday, tracking US stocks lower overnight as the market's focus turns from Greece to the US 'fiscal cliff'. The main US equity ben
Read moreBroker tips: Smith & Nephew, Resolution, Compass
28th Nov 2012 11:14
Investec has kept its 'hold' rating and 670p target price for medical technology group Smith & Nephew following Wednesday's proposed acquisition of Healthpoint Biotherapeutics. The broker said that the purchase is a "good fit" but raises the risk profile of the company as a whole. "For us, whilst t
Read moreBroker snap: Compass exuding confidence, says Jefferies
28th Nov 2012 09:41
Jefferies has upgraded its rating for contract caterer Compass Group from 'underperform' to 'hold', saying that last week's full-year results offset some concerns. "Compass's £400m share buyback reload, 10% dividend increase and reiterated guidance for FY13E exudes confidence," the broker said in a
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
28th Nov 2012 07:26
ARM Holdings: Barclays Capital raises target price from 750p to 820p, overweight rating kept. Assura Group: Oriel Securities starts with an add recommendation. Espirito Santo moves target price from 37p to 37.50p, buy recommendation unchanged. Britvic: Deutsche Bank raises target price from 370p t
Read moreSDL head shows faith after profit warning
27th Nov 2012 16:28
The Chairman and Chief Executive of troubled business, translation and communications software company SDL has added 170,532 shares to his stake in the company one day after it issued a profit warning. Mark Lancaster, who also founded the group in 1992, was clearly keen to show his faith in the gr
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
27th Nov 2012 07:19
Aberdeen Asset Management: Citigroup raises target price from 320p to 345p and downgrades to neutral. JP Morgan raises target price from 330p to 414p, overweight rating unchanged. Credit Suisse moves target price from 323p to 380p, outperform rating kept. Exane BNP Paribas raises target price from 3
Read moreBroker tips: SAB Miller, Compass, British Land
26th Nov 2012 12:48
Analysts at broker Jefferies were this morning praising brewery group SAB Miller's interim results out last week. In particular, they highlighted how the company's higher innovation, better execution and increasing cost synergies gives them confidence on the company's future ability to deliver pee
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks dip lower ahead of Eurogroup meeting
26th Nov 2012 12:06
- Market eyeing Eurogroup meeting tonight - Inconclusive election results in Catalonia - Qatar to sell warrants on Barclays UK equities had fallen slightly lower by midday, despite what appeared like relatively positive news-flow on a number of fronts. To a certain extent however, stocks may be t
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura raises price target on Compass
26th Nov 2012 11:23
For analysts at Nomura Compass Group's latest fiscal year results - which showed an 11% increase in earnings per share - encapsulated the key attractions of the investment case. These are strong turnover growth (5.4%), excellent cash flow conversion and continued margin expansion (+8bp). Interestin
Read moreLondon open: Markets start week on a weak footing
26th Nov 2012 08:37
- Market eyeing Eurogroup meeting tonight - Inconclusive election results in Catalonia - Qatar to sell warrants on Barclays UK equities began the week with light losses despite what appears like relatively positive news-flow on a number of fronts. Thus, the easiest explanation for the above contra
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Nov 2012 07:18
Aberdeen Asset Management: Peel Hunt downgrades to hold, target price rises to 365p from 350p. Associated British Food: Investec raises target price from 1300p to 1400p, hold recommendation maintained. Barclays: JP Morgan raises target price from 250p to 320p and upgrades to overweight. Beazley:
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd Nov 2012 07:19
Alternative Networks: Westhouse Securities downgrades from buy to add, target price of 280p kept. Babcock International: UBS downgrades from buy to neutral. Barr (AG): N+1 Singer raises target price from 402p to 525p and upgrades to buy. Belvoir Lettings: Seymour Pierce raises target price from 9
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Johnson Matthey, Hyder Consulting and Compass Group
22nd Nov 2012 06:50
Tempus in The Times says the warning from Johnson Matthey that hit the market yesterday was not quite as drastic as those that have afflicted other global industrial producers this autumn, but the burden was much the same. The outlook for the global economy, and for key sectors such as American truc
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks pare losses but market cautious
21st Nov 2012 11:54
- Eurogroup delays Greek aid - MPC minutes show 8-to-1 vote in favour of maintaining QE - Johnson Matthey and Compass lower after results UK stocks had trimmed losses by Wednesday lunchtime but was trading within a narrow range as investors remain cautious following an inconclusive meeting of Euroz
Read moreBroker tips: Compass, Capco, Halfords
21st Nov 2012 10:46
In spite of the negative market reaction to Compass Group's full-year results on Wednesday morning, Nomura has maintained its 'buy' rating and 800p target price for the stock, saying that the figures were in line with its forecasts. Nomura said: "Our FY 13 forecasts assume a slowdown in organic re
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