London pre-open: Weak start expected as Fed signals 'patience' on rate hike
29th Jan 2015 07:02
UK stocks are expected to decline on Thursday as markets this side of the Pond react to the Federal Reserve's commitment to remain "patient" on the timing of a rate hike. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 50 points lower than Wednesday's close of 6,825.94, tracking late declines on Wall St
Read moreThursday preview: Diageo reports half year amid tough trading conditions
28th Jan 2015 16:29
Drinks maker Diageo is expected to report a slump in half-year interims on Thursday, reflecting weak sales in Asia. Beijing's decision to cut back on luxury spending has affected Diageo's Asian division. Stagnant demand in Western Europe and North America has also put a dampener on the company. Fir
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Diageo, Catlin Group
19th Dec 2014 21:13
Consumer goods giant Diageo is seeing a slowdown in growth in one of its main markets, the United States. One would have thought the economic recovery and drop in the oil price would have translated into greater discretionary spending on the liquors and spirits which it purveys. Yet that has not bee
Read moreDiageo agrees tequila-whisky swap deal with Casa Cuervo - UPDATE
3rd Nov 2014 07:06
Diageo has agreed on an asset-swap deal with Casa Cuervo, which will see the UK spirits group take full control of tequila label Don Julio in exchange for selling its Bushmills whisky brand. The agreement will help Diageo expand its footprint in the high-end tequila market after efforts to take over
Read moreLondon pre-open: Chinese PMI data to drag FTSE lower early on
2nd Nov 2014 17:33
Tracking a weaker session in Asia overnight, UK stocks are expected to begin a macro-focused week with small gains. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around nine points lower than Friday's close of 6,546.47. "As we approach a major week in the markets in terms of economic events, we are l
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: Tesco, BoE, Cameron
27th Oct 2014 21:35
The newly arrived chief executive of grocer Tesco, Dave Lewis, and his chief financial officer, Alan Stewart, have been handed generous incentives in the form of stock options on the company's shares. The multimillion-pound pay packages are what in the industry are known as "golden hellos". The just
Read moreSector movers: Beverage stocks slip after Heineken sales fall
22nd Oct 2014 13:45
UK beverage stocks were slightly lower on Wednesday after a gloomy update from Dutch brewing giant Heineken which blamed recent bad weather in Europe for a drop in third-quarter sales. Heineken, famous for its eponymous brand and other drinks such as Strongbow, John Smith's and Kronenbourg, unveiled
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Diageo, Mondi
17th Oct 2014 23:56
Ex-Diageo chief Paul Walsh timed his exit in July of 2013 near perfectly. Since then emerging markets went into reverse with the depreciation in local currencies bringing great pressure to bear on consumers in those countries. For Diageo what matters is the fact that it makes it wares more expensive
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 drops another 1.8% as sell-off resumes
16th Oct 2014 11:39
In spite of an initial 'dead cat bounce' in early deals, London's FTSE 100 tanked again on Thursday morning with the index sinking to levels not seen since June 2013 The UK benchmark index was down 1.8% at 6,099 by lunchtime, having earlier touched a high of 6,282.95, with banking shares sinking sha
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
16th Oct 2014 08:57
Afren: Investec cuts target price from 195p to 120p and reiterates its hold recommendation. Amerisur Resources: Investec lowers target price from 75p to 65p and maintains a buy recommendation. Antofagasta: UBS upgrades from sell to neutral with a target price of 710p. ARM Holdings: Credit Suisse r
Read moreSmirnoff owner Diageo reports drop in Q1 sales
16th Oct 2014 07:33
Spirits group Diageo saw sales fall in its first quarter with North America the only region registering growth, though it expressed optimism that its full-year top line would still improve on last year. The drinks company, famous for the Baileys, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker brands, said net sales in
Read moreThursday preview: BSkyB and Diageo report first quarter results
15th Oct 2014 16:27
British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) reports its first quarter results following its acquisition of Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland on Thursday. Numis said it expects a "solid set of results" with a 4% rise in revenue, profit before tax of £285m and earnings per share (EPS) of 13.3p. The broker also for
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
10th Oct 2014 09:42
British American Tobacco: Goldman Sachs reduces target price from 3530p to 3250p downgrading to sell. Brown (N) Group: UBS cuts target price from 490p to 445p leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Diageo: Goldman Sachs reduces target price from 2030p to 1925p and keeps a neutral rating. Dixons
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: Scottish referendum, Diageo, Alibaba...
19th Sep 2014 06:50
"Alex Salmond's dream of Scottish independence was dashed today after voters threw their support behind the United Kingdom in a result that promises to bury the separation issue for at least a generation," reported The Times on Friday morning. The paper highlighted that 31 of the 32 council areas ha
Read moreBroker tips: Easyjet, Diageo, Booker
18th Sep 2014 11:47
Numis Securities repeated its 'buy' rating for Easyjet on Thursday, hailing the budget airline's decision to lift its dividend payout ratio and order 27 new planes from Airbus. "We believe that the dividend hike, promise of further returns of cash to shareholders and the aircraft option exercise pro
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