London open: Miners fall, but UK markets track US and Hong Kong stocks higher
9th Apr 2015 08:57
UK stocks advanced on Thursday morning following a decent performance on Wall Street and Hong Kong indices overnight. Reports that Greece will meet Thursday's deadline to pay back a €450m loan payment to the International Monetary Fund were also helping sentiment. "The payment has been scheduled and
Read moreLondon pre-open: UK stocks set for higher open on split FOMC
9th Apr 2015 07:53
UK stocks are headed for a higher start on Thursday as investors this side of the Atlantic react to the minutes of the latest Federal Reserve meeting, which showed that policymakers were divided on the right time to hike rates. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 28 points higher than Wednes
Read moreCranswick trots out solid fourth quarter results
9th Apr 2015 07:10
Sausage-maker and bacon curer Cranswick reported a strong showing in its seasonally weak final quarter as UK and European pork prices begin to show signs of stabilisation. Cranswick lifted fourth quarter underlying sales 1% on the same period last year, with total sales 4% higher thanks to the recen
Read moreCranswick brings home the bacon with Christmas trading
29th Jan 2015 11:12
Pork processor Cranswick's third-quarter trading statement revealed an improvement on last year's sales, attributed to sales growth from fresh pork. Underlying sales volumes were up 2% in the three months to 31 December 2014, although underlying revenues were down 3% due to lower input costs bein
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: FirstGroup leads fallers as TalkTalk jumps
24th Nov 2014 16:25
FirstGroup took a hit amid claims it has missed out on the opportunity to acquire the East Coast mainline. It seems the company's bid will be overlooked in favour of Eurostar and Keolis when the government releases a statement on the final decision this week. FirstGroup has failed to win several pre
Read moreCranswick H1 revenues steady, debt shrinks
24th Nov 2014 07:12
Food supplier Cranswick said revenues were steady in the first half of 2014, as strong sales growth across most product categories offset a reduction in fresh pork sales. The group's revenues for the six months ended 30 September fell slightly from £483.5m to £481.5m, while adjusted profit before ta
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Oct 2014 08:33
Abcam: FinnCap moves target price from 390p to 400p keeping a hold recommendation. Anglo American: Investec places its target price (prev.: 1603p) under review keeping its buy recommendation. Arbuthnot: Numis raises target price from 1150p to 1300p upgrading from hold to add. British American Taba
Read moreCranswick snaps up cooked poultry firm Benson Park
23rd Oct 2014 08:26
Cranswick, the UK supplier of fresh meats, charcuterie and sandwiches, has bought British cooked chicken and turkey supplier Benson Park for an undisclosed sum. The FTSE 250-listed company said the "strategic acquisition" moves it into a new protein sector and expands its product range and customer
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
7th Oct 2014 09:45
African Minerals: Canaccord Genuity lowers target price from 20p to 15p with a hold recommendation. Aggreko: Exane initiates with a target price of 1500p and an underperform rating. Amec: Liberum Capital cuts target price from 1035p to 908p staying with its sell recommendation. Antofagasta: Canacc
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Hays leads ahead of Q1 results
6th Oct 2014 14:34
Hays was rising ahead of its first-quarter results due out on Friday, which come after its chief in August said he felt confident that the company could reach its target of doubling operating profits to £250m. Just Retirement was lifted by Deutsche Bank, which upped its rating on the stock from 'hol
Read moreMonday broker round-up
6th Oct 2014 10:05
Asos: UBS ups target price from 4000p to 4050p and stays with its buy recommendation. Cranswick: Numis cuts target price from 1326p to 1296p and keeps a hold recommendation. Dunelm Group: Citi reduces target price from 930p to 870p downgrading to neutral. easyJet: Citi ups target price from 1600p
Read moreCranswick hoping for festive boost after flat first half
6th Oct 2014 07:49
UK meat producer and food supplier Cranswick is hoping for a decent performance over the festive season after lower sales of fresh pork led to flat revenues in the first half. The company, which also produces cooked meats, charcuterie and sandwiches, said that market conditions in the second half of
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Debenhams jumps on new CFO
28th Jul 2014 14:38
High street retailer Debenhams raced to the top of the leaderboard on the news it has appointed the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Mothercare to the same role on its own board. Matt Smith, who has been CFO at Mothercare since last year and has previously been Finance Director of Home Retail's Argo
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
28th Jul 2014 11:06
African Barrick Gold: UBS ups target price from 260p to 290p and maintains a buy recommendation. Deutsche Bank cuts target price from 300p to 280p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Anglo American: UBS downgrades from buy to neutral with a target price of 1700p. Barclays: Nomura cuts target pric
Read moreCranswick's first quarter revenue rises as capacity grows
28th Jul 2014 09:06
Cranswick posted a 5% increase in first quarter revenue as the UK food producer achieved growth across most of its product categories. The company said operating margin in the three months to June 30th was similar to that achieved in the previous year. The firm invested further in its asset base
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