Housing stocks jump as Jefferies turns more positive on sector
10th Apr 2015 09:28
Housebuilders were putting in decent gains on Friday as Jefferies upgraded ratings for stocks across the sector, saying that companies have "springs in their steps". The broker raised Bellway, Bovis Homes, Countrywide, Crest Nicholson, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Zoopla from 'hold' to 'buy'. Barratt D
Read moreSector Movers: Real estate and housebuilders in the green, but tobacco takes a hit
19th Mar 2015 14:35
The UK 2015 Budget continues to impact market sentiment as real estate and housebuilding stocks followed oil and gas services companies in posting an uptick in performance. In his final budget before the General Election on May 7, Chancellor George Osborne announced a series of measures considered t
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Property and energy stock higher, Esure hit by downgrade
18th Mar 2015 12:59
Property service group Countrywide and estate agent Savills were trading higher after George Osborne announced his approval of a series of new housing zones in the Budget, including Plymouth and Blackpool. Spire Healthcare Group was also among the risers after JPMorgan raised their price target on t
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rebound after sell-off as markets eye Fed meeting
16th Mar 2015 08:30
UK stocks gained on Monday as investors hunted for bargains following a sharp slide in the value of the FTSE 100 over the last week. Ahead of a busy week for financial markets worldwide, the Footsie was up 0.4% at 6,767.46 early on. The index had lost 2.5% over the past five sessions on the back of
Read moreCountrywide hikes divi after record 2014, warns of housing market sluggishness
26th Feb 2015 07:53
Countrywide, the biggest estate agency in the UK, reported a record performance in 2014 with profit soaring 63%, as it trebled its dividend and extended its share buyback. However, the company warned of the anticipated "sluggishness" in market trends over the first half of 2015. Countrywide, which
Read moreCredit Suisse cuts estimates for Countrywide on weak outlook
26th Jan 2015 16:58
Given the sustained worsening in trading conditions seen in the last three months of 2014 and the distinctly cautious tone to market commentary regarding the outlook for next year, Credit Suisse reduced its estimates for earnings per share (EPS) at Countrywide for this year and next by 8% and 3%, re
Read moreTuesday preview: Preliminary fourth quarter GDP numbers in focus
26th Jan 2015 15:50
Trading on Tuesday will likely be restrained ahead of Wednesday's US Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting. On 23 January economists at Barclays Research wrote that: "The committee will likely drop the reference to its prior use of "considerable time" in its policy rate guidance while retaining th
Read moreCountrywide full year results in line despite London housing slowdown
22nd Jan 2015 12:06
Countrywide has reported numbers of house exchanges dropped by 2% and 14% in the prime London regions in the fourth quarter but full year results for the property services group are expected to remain in line with expectations. With residential lettings up by 20% in what was a record year for this p
Read moreBroker tips: Carnival, Countrywide, Circle Oil
22nd Dec 2014 11:33
Credit Suisse has reiterated its 'outperform' recommendation on cruise operator Carnival Corporation, saying that it is "maintain[ing a] positive view into 2015" after the company beat forecasts with its fourth-quarter results. Credit Suisse said: "We continue to see CCL shares as attractively value
Read moreNumis cuts Countrywide forecasts as mortgage approvals come in weak
22nd Dec 2014 10:17
Weak mortgage approvals in the UK have prompted Numis Securities to lower its forecasts for estate agency group Countrywide, though the broker still rated the stock as a 'buy'. "Whilst we reduce estimates in this note, highlighting the high degree of uncertainty in the housing market at present, we
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
31st Oct 2014 09:36
Afren: Deutsche Bank lowers target price from 110p to 105p, leaving its hold recommendation unaltered. Aviva: Barclays ups target price from 397p to 420p and reiterates its equal-weight rating. Barclays: Deutsche Bank lowers target price from 300p to 295p and leaves its buy recommendation. Country
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Oil stocks lead downside
30th Oct 2014 15:43
Oil stocks led the downside, thanks to a combination of declining Brent crude prices and comments out of analysts at Deutsche Bank. Afren's target price was cut from 130p to 110p, Premier Oil's was reduced by 85p to 335p, while Enquest fell in sympathy. Cairn was also hit by the bank's analysts, wh
Read moreCountrywide says prime London property prices falling, Q3 results in line
30th Oct 2014 08:51
Helped by its best ever third quarter result, estate agents group Countrywide said it remained in line to hit full year targets despite cautioning that the rebalancing of price expectations in London might dampen short-term volume trends. After London-focused rival Foxtons warned on profits last wee
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd Oct 2014 09:54
Amino Technologies: N+1 Singer moves target price from 93p to 107p upgrading to buy. Anglo American: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1300p to 1200p retaining its sell recommendation. ARM Holdings: UBS moves target price from 970p to 980p upgrading from neutral to buy. Deutsche Bank cuts t
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
2nd Oct 2014 10:11
BAE Systems: Investec downgrades from hold to sell with a target price of 430p. British Sky Broadcasting: Credit Suisse ups target price from 600p to 630p and reiterates an underperform rating. Cobham: Investec lowers target price from 290p to 280p and stays with its reduce rating. Consort Medical
Read more