Scotch whisky exports decline by 7%
1st Apr 2015 08:43
The export valuation of Scotch whisky declined by 7% on an annualised basis to £3.9bn in 2014 on a weaker economic climate, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said on Tuesday. The lobby group said political uncertainty in certain emerging markets also dented the industry's bottomline as global expo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Next slumps on weak outlook, tobacco stocks lower
19th Mar 2015 13:44
Shares in Next slumped as the fashion retailer took a cautious view of the outlook for the 2015-2016 financial year, saying some of its collections are "not as strong as they were at this point last year". Tobacco stocks such as British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco Group were among the wors
Read moreLondon close: FTSE jumps 1.6% after business-friendly Budget, Fed meeting ahead
18th Mar 2015 16:41
Those expecting little market reaction to the Budget on Wednesday were probably left surprised, with stocks in the energy, financial, housing and consumer staples sectors leading the surge in London following George Osborne's statement. Dovish comments from Bank of England policymakers were also buo
Read moreShares in UK listed booze makers and pub owners advance after duty relief
18th Mar 2015 15:27
Shares in UK listed pub landlords, brewers and beverage companies all added gains on Wednesday after UK chancellor George Osborne decided to cut duty on beer by 1p for the third successive time in his budget. "Today I am cutting beer duty for the third year in a row - taking another penny off a pint
Read moreBudget preview: Osborne's expected pre-election pledges
17th Mar 2015 16:15
On Wednesday, George Osborne announces his pre-election Budget, with several industries expected to see major proposals to woo voters and businesses. The Chancellor will deliver his budget speech to the House of Commons at 12:30, around a week before parliament adjourns ahead of May's general electi
Read moreDiageo backs down on supplier payment terms
13th Mar 2015 16:31
Drinks giant Diageo has given up on its plans to extend its supplier payment terms. The Smirnoff and Guinness owner wanted to lengthen the time it takes to pay its suppliers to three months, but faced strenuous objections from business groups including the Forum of Private Business. But the FTSE 10
Read moreBroker tips: Whitbread, Diageo, Lloyds, Asos
13th Mar 2015 12:20
Shares in Premier Inn and Costa owner Whitbread received a boost on Friday from UBS which upgraded its rating on the stock from 'sell' to 'neutral'. The bank hiked its target price on the shares from 4,700p to 5,400p, but said: "The valuation is certainly not cheap." Spirits group Diageo was shot d
Read moreLondon midday: Markets slip after weak construction data, utilities fall
13th Mar 2015 12:03
Stocks in London dipped into the red on Friday morning after data showed an unexpected decline in UK construction output, while utility shares weakened on political uncertainty. The FTSE 100 was down 0.35% at 6,737.10 by midday with SSE and Centrica among the worst performers. Construction output d
Read moreCredit Suisse downgrades Diageo as growth drivers falter
13th Mar 2015 10:25
Spirits group Diageo was shot down by analysts at Credit Suisse on Friday as they lowered their recommendation on the Smirnoff and Baileys maker from 'neutral' to 'underperform'. The bank, which cut its target price from 1,850p to 1,700p, said that the company's three drivers of earnings growth sinc
Read moreLondon open: Stock markets flat ahead of quiet day
13th Mar 2015 09:06
UK stocks were more or less flat in early deals on Friday ahead of a quiet day for the markets in terms of economic data and corporate news. London's FTSE 100 was trading up just 0.01% at 6,761.79 early on. As it stands, the Footsie is still nearly 3% lower than where it stood last Friday as a stre
Read moreLondon close: Gains pared but markets buoyed by pharma, beverage stocks
12th Mar 2015 16:42
UK stocks were off their highest levels of the day by the close on Thursday as mining shares erased earlier gains, though strong performances from pharma and beverage groups provided some support, as well as M&A in the banking sector. The FTSE 100 finished the session up 39.56 points (+0.6%) at 6,76
Read moreSector movers: Stock Spirits, Diageo and SABMiller boost beverage stocks
12th Mar 2015 15:07
Investors were holding up a glass to Stock Spirits on Thursday after annual results impressed, while upbeat broker comments boosted Diageo and SABMiller, giving the UK beverages sector a lift in afternoon trade. Stock Spirits shares were up 8.4% at 206.75p after the Central and Eastern European bran
Read moreDiageo director buys shares after stronger second quarter
2nd Feb 2015 15:52
A non-executive director in the alcoholic beverages group Diageo bought some shares showing confidence in the company following a much improved performance in its second quarter. Alan Stewart purchased 1,500 new shares at an individual price of 1,970p, spending a total of £29,550 in the transaction.
Read moreSunday share tips: Smith & Nephew, Severn Trent, Grainger
1st Feb 2015 13:01
Buy shares of Smith & Nephew, Danny Fortson advised in the Sunday Times. The Inside the City columnist said shares of the maker of artificial hips and knees had surged after US rival Stryker said it was considering a bid. Smith & Nephew releases annual results on February 5th and the numbers are lik
Read moreDiageo delivers stronger second quarter and says "momentum" brewing
29th Jan 2015 07:40
After a bad start to its financial year, drinks giant Diageo delivered a much improved performance in the second quarter with stronger net sales, volumes and margins, though first-half results saw earnings suffer a double-digit drop but the dividend hiked. Organic net sales for the first half were b
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