Monday newspaper round-up: Break-up, France, Bailouts
21st May 2012 07:16
When it comes to contingency planning for a Eurozone break-up, it is typically a German company that has been ahead of the game. Industrial conglomerate Siemens acquired a banking licence in December 2010. That allowed it to access directly European Central Bank funds, so cutting its exposure to swi
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Smith and Nephew beat expectations
3rd May 2012 14:36
Shares in technology group Smith and Nephew marched ahead after profits and margins at medical beat both analysts' and management forecasts in the first quarter of 2012. Alcoholic drinks maker Diageo's was also on the up following its announcement that growth in the third quarter of its fiscal yea
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise ahead of ECB decision
3rd May 2012 08:34
- Mixed reception to barrage of blue-chip corporate updates - ECB expected to maintains rates - Kesa in demand after Darty development The FTSE 100 rose strongly on Thursday morning, rebounding after a sharp fall the day before, with investors looking ahead to an interest rate decision from the Eur
Read moreDiageo serves up full measure
3rd May 2012 07:29
Alcoholic drinks maker Diageo's top line growth in the third quarter of its fiscal year was a shade ahead of some expectations, despite Europe proving something of a wet blanket. The group, which owns brands familiar to tipplers worldwide, such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Guinne
Read moreThursday preview: Smith and Nephew, Diageo, BG Group
2nd May 2012 16:18
The heads of day-traders could be in danger of exploding on Thursday morning as a welter of big names are set to update the market. First quarter results from medical devices maker Smith & Nephew are expected to be weak, largely because the company has said they would be. "We do not expect any sig
Read moreWednesday broker round-up - UPDATE
4th Apr 2012 08:16
BSkyB: Jefferies maintains hold recommendation and 700p target. BTG: Jefferies raises target from 345p to 410p, buy recommendation kept. Diageo: Nomura reiterates neutral rating and 1,520p target. International Power: Investec maintains buy recommendation. ITE Group: Investec keeps buy rating.
Read moreLondon close: Stocks soar after ISM data
2nd Apr 2012 16:49
- Chinese, UK, US PMIs beat expectations in March - Eurozone PMI disappoints, jobless rate on the up - Pearson leads the rise on the Footsie, miners also in demand After initially paring gains early on, the Footsie surged in afternoon trade on Monday after some better-than-expected manufacturing d
Read moreSector movers: Diageo rises on Jose Cuervo speculation
2nd Apr 2012 15:10
Drinks giants Diageo and SABMiller were making decent gains on Monday afternoon, meaning that the beverages sector was at the top of the pile. Diageo is rumoured to be nearing the acquisition of a further stake in Mexican tequila maker Jose Cuervo. According to media reports, Diageo could be buying
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: RBS, LTROs, Indian tax law...
2nd Apr 2012 06:58
"RBS is working on plans to 'turn the tap back on' for a 350m-400m pounds dividend payment to preference shareholders as the bank addresses a clutch of hurdles in its quest to privatise the Government's 82 per cent stake. 'Paying a dividend is good market behaviour and is an important signal to debt
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Falklands, Spain, Horizon
1st Apr 2012 16:00
A group of British and American banks have been threatened with legal action by the Argentine government for advising and writing research reports about companies involved in the Falkland Islands' £1.6bn oil industry. Argentina has warned those banks - understood to include the Royal Bank of Scotlan
Read moreDiageo gains approval for shares in Sichuan Chengdu
20th Mar 2012 16:00
Diageo, the FTSE 100 beverage firm, has gained regulatory approval to launch a mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing Group from Chengdu Yingsheng Investment Holding. The acquisition of an additional 4% stake takes the firm's total current holding to 53%. T
Read moreFriday broker round-up - UPDATE
16th Mar 2012 10:27
4imprint: Peel Hunt keeps buy rating and 345p target. Aegis: Nomura reiterates buy rating and 210p target; HB Markets upgrades from sell to hold. Antofagasta: Jefferies keeps hold and 1,214p target. Bunzl: Goldman Sachs downgrades from neutral to sell, target lifted from 940p to 988p. Diageo: Je
Read moreLondon close: Bernanke comments fuel late sell-off
29th Feb 2012 16:27
- Stocks tumble on Bernanke comments. - Higher-than-expected LTRO take-up. - ITV surges on 'exceptional turnaround'. After trading within a narrow 20-point range for the majority of the day, the FTSE 100 plummeted late on as US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave some gloomy comments the e
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks settle after ECB refinancing
29th Feb 2012 11:38
- Higher-than-expected LTRO take-up. - ITV surges on 'exceptional turnaround'. - Ludowici issues overshadow impressive 2011 for Weir. The initial celebration of the results of the European Central Bank's (ECB's) refinancing operation quickly faded in late morning trade, with the Footsie broadly fl
Read moreLondon open: Stocks flat ahead of ECB refinancing operation
29th Feb 2012 08:31
- Investors await ECB's LTRO. - ITV jumps 7% after strong 2011. - Ludowici issues overshadow impressive 2011 for Weir. The Footsie lacked direction in the opening hour on Wednesday as investors hold out for the result of the European Central Bank's (ECB's) second longer term refinancing operation,
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