Broker snap: UBS raises numbers at Croda
12th Jul 2011 11:33
UBS has hiked its target price for speciality chemicals group Croda by 17% from 1,900p to 2,220p, saying that the group has "many attractive qualities". "Croda is in an extremely attractive position, supplying renewable products in a typically petrochemical industry. We expect that the shift toward
Read moreSunday tips round-up: Croda, WPP, Axis-Shield
1st May 2011 16:50
This past week saw Croda International report a quarterly record in terms of sales, but it was for margins, too. Its profit margins before interest and tax hit a record of 21.9pc. The above thanks to the specialty chemical maker´s ability to pass raw material price increases to its customers. Also,
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish ahead of Royal Wedding
28th Apr 2011 16:46
Stocks finished flat heading into the long weekend, though there was no shortage of company updates for investors to digest. Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread shrugged off the economic difficulties said to be plaguing Britain as it upped its dividend by 17% and announced plans to step up
Read moreSector movers: Unilever and Devro drag food producers lower
28th Apr 2011 16:24
Food producers are on their way lower, with sector peer Unilever and Devro dampening sentiment with disappointing first quarter statements. Food and household goods giant Unilever reported "sluggishness" in developed markets, despite turnover rising by 7%. Devro, which makes manufactured casings
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Croda's shares jump, along with its profits
28th Apr 2011 15:52
Providing a lift to the FTSE 250 is chemicals group Croda International, which saw pre-tax profit jump 40% in the first quarter. Shares in data capture specialist Kofax have fallen despite the group confirming that its third quarter performance has met expectations. Also under the weather is kitc
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction after updates
28th Apr 2011 12:05
A stream of updates from big-hitters such as Shell and Unilever has failed to give the top share index any overall sense of direction. Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread shrugged off the economic difficulties said to be plaguing Britain as it upped its dividend by 17% and announced plans
Read moreCroda International sees profits jump 40%
28th Apr 2011 11:36
Speciality chemicals group Croda saw shares rise on Thursday after announcing solid trading results for the first quarter of this year, with record sales and profits, in which it saw continued robust demand across all major geographies. Group pre-tax profit from continuing operations increased by 4
Read moreFriday tips round-up: National Express, Croda, Ashmore...
25th Feb 2011 07:00
Finally, some good news for much-troubled National Express. From the doldrums of a scrapped rail franchise and sharp financial losses in 2009, the transport group posted annual results for 2010 yesterday showing a return to profit and a proposed final dividend of 6p per share. National Express has
Read moreSector movers: Surging prices lift oil stocks
24th Feb 2011 14:56
Oil groups are higher Thursday afternoon on the back of surging oil prices amid the ongoing turmoil in Libya. Brent crude jumped to $119.79 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, up by nearly 18% since the unrest began. The April contract for US light crude rose to $103.41 a barr
Read moreBroker tips: RBS, Kier, Croda
24th Feb 2011 12:46
There was nothing in the full year results from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to persuade Nomura Securities to abandon its preference for the UK's other part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking. The Japanese broker reiterated its 'reduce' recommendation on Royal Bank of Scotland after the figures cam
Read moreBroker snap: Croda enjoys pricing power
24th Feb 2011 12:37
UBS keeps its positive stance on speciality chemicals group Croda as fourth quarter results came in ahead of expectations. Croda reported fourth quarter organic growth of 11.6%, with 6% volumes growth in line, but the 6% price increases came as a surprise and were well ahead of the broker's flat es
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Anglo American, Informa, Devro...
23rd Feb 2011 06:43
Anglo American has a clear growth strategy, with a pipeline of 60 projects requiring $70bn of investment. It plans to double production of its commodities over the next decade. Anglo's Barro Alto nickel project in Brazil will begin production imminently and its Los Bronces copper expansion in Chil
Read moreLondon close: Rally falls short as Libya casts shadow
22nd Feb 2011 17:00
Strong consumer confidence figures in the US sparked an impressive rally from the top share index this afternoon following earlier gloom over the Libyan turmoil and the higher oil price, but worries re-emerged and the FTSE 100 finished below 6,000. BHP Billiton is one of those that has limped into
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Lamprell and Croda lead the risers
22nd Feb 2011 14:47
Engineering services provider Lamprell is a big mover today after announcing a new contract award from Singapore company Greatship Global Energy Services. Not far behind is speciality chemicals group Croda International which more than doubled its 2010 pre-tax profits. Also higher are oil prices a
Read moreLondon afternoon: Modest rally continues
22nd Feb 2011 14:12
Shares continued to pare the morning's losses over the lunch time trading session, and from a position at the mid-morning stage where only five FTSE 100 constituents were in positive territory, by 2pm that number had grown to around 20. BHP Billiton is one of those that has limped into the black. T
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