Almost 1,000 estate agents 'unlikely to still be trading' in three years
11th Jan 2017 14:31
(ShareCast News) - As Foxtons revealed details of its troubled 2016 and warned of continued harder times in the year ahead, new analysis of the housing sector confirmed increasing levels of financial distress among UK estate agents. Nearly 1,000 estate agencies could be wiped out over the next three
Read moreCountrywide considering sale of commercial property business
15th Dec 2016 16:42
(ShareCast News) - FTSE 250 estate agency group Countrywide confirmed on Thursday that it is undergoing a strategic review in relation to its commercial property arm, Lambert Smith Hampton. In a brief statement in response to earlier press speculation, Countrywide said it is considering a potential
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Paragon Group jumps, AMEC sinks
25th Nov 2016 20:13
(ShareCast News) - Paragon Group led to the upside on the back of a positive endorsement from broker Jefferies. Analyst Phil Dobbin said: "Paragon is evolving from a securitized non-bank lender to a more diversified retail funded banking group. We believe that the company has the ability to gain mar
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks subdued on US Thanksgiving as resources in focus
24th Nov 2016 16:41
(ShareCast News) - UK stocks were in cautious form all day Thursday, with global markets generally subdued as traders in the US put their feet up for a Thanksgiving break. The FTSE 100 closed up 0.17% to 6,829.20. The FTSE 250 ended the session down 0.18% to 17,590.62. On the blue-chip upside, seve
Read moreCountrywide tumbles to new low on Brexit profit warning
24th Nov 2016 07:34
(ShareCast News) - Estate agent Countrywide warned that operating profits will be lower than expected for the full year, due to a "tough" residential market as a result of a change in stamp duty and the EU referendum. The FTSE 250 company said due to reduced transactions in the second half of the ye
Read moreEstate agents stung by Chancellor's ban on letting fees
23rd Nov 2016 09:24
(ShareCast News) - In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced he planned to clamp down on letting agent fees, sending estate agents shares lower on Wednesday. Shares of companies in the sector were sharply lower in early trade, with Foxtons were down 9%, Countrywide losing 5% and L
Read moreBroker tips: Howden Joinery Group, Segro, Countrywide
25th Oct 2016 10:11
(ShareCast News) - Howden Joinery Group shares dropped on Tuesday as Berenberg lowered its recommendation on the stock to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut the target price to 450p from 550p. Berenberg said the supplier of kitchens and joinery products is seemingly one of the most exposed companies in its U
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
25th Oct 2016 10:10
(ShareCast News) - Segro: Barclays keeps at overweight with a target price of 520p. Howden Joinery: Berenberg downgrades to hold, 450p target. Standard Chartered: Deutsche Bank reiterates sell with a 574p target. Cobham: UBS reiterates neutral with a 160p target. Cobham: Barclays reiterates equal
Read moreCountrywide slumps on Jefferies downgrade
25th Oct 2016 08:52
(ShareCast News) - Countrywide was under the cosh on Tuesday as Jefferies downgraded the stock to 'hold' from 'buy' and slashed the price target to 180p from 300p. The bank cut its calendar year 2016 earnings per share estimate by 24% and its estimate for 2017 by 31% on the back of weak housing t
Read moreCountrywide shares drop on Zoopla stake sale
22nd Sep 2016 14:14
(ShareCast News) - Shares in Countrywide fell on Thursday after the FTSE 250 estate agency group said it has sold its remaining stake in property website Zoopla. It sold just over 9.2m shares at an average price of £3.17 between 9 August and 21 September, giving gross proceeds of £29.2m. Countrywid
Read moreThursday broker round-up
22nd Sep 2016 13:35
(ShareCast News) - Dunelm: HSBC starts coverage at buy with a target price of 1000p. Brown N Group: UBS keeps at neutral, 190p target. Tesco: Barclays keeps at neutral with a 215p target. Associated British Foods: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform with a 3550p target. BBA Aviation: Barclays kee
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
6th Sep 2016 10:07
(ShareCast News) - Marks & Spencer: Goldman Sachs reiterates sell with a target price of 315p. Bunzl: RBC maintains underperf orm with a 1950p target. Mediclinic: UBS keeps at buy with a 1170p target. Ultra Electronic: Berenberg reiterat es buy with a 2000p target. Associated British Foods: Goldm
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: JRP Group, housing stocks rally
23rd Aug 2016 14:32
(ShareCast News) - The FTSE 250 gained 0.78% to 18,010.36 points on Tuesday afternoon. JRP Group was the biggest riser on London's second tier index after the financial services group said trading to the end of July since its update on 11 May continued in line with expectations. The company said it
Read moreBroker tips: Cairn Energy, Lancashire, Countrywide
28th Jul 2016 13:34
(ShareCast News) - Cairn Energy shares rose on Thursday as RBC Capital Markets raised its rating on the stock to 'outperform' from 'sector perform' and reiterated a target price of 260p. "We view the recent share price weakness as an opportunity to take a position in Cairn ahead of the first half re
Read moreNumis upgrades Countrywide to 'add' from 'hold'
28th Jul 2016 10:48
(ShareCast News) - Countrywide's shares jumped on Thursday as Numis upgraded its rating to 'add' from 'hold' despite a profit warning from the real estate agent. The company warned that 2016 earnings will be lower this year, as commercial and London residential transactions have stalled since Britai
Read more