Sector movers: Car insurers rise on easing decline in premiums
17th Jan 2014 16:15
Non-life insurance stocks were among the strongest risers in London on Friday after data showed that the recent decline in car insurance premiums had begun to decelerate towards the end of last year. The figures have sparked hopes that price competition in the sector between rival insurers may be o
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Insurance companies lead the upside
17th Jan 2014 16:05
Insurance providers esure and Direct Line led today's risers on the second tier index after data showed that the decline in average premiums across the sector eased considerably at the end of 2013. As on the FTSE 100, miners extended yesterday's gains which came after Citigroup lifted its 12-month
Read moreLondon midday: Markets rise as retail sales surge, but Shell drops
17th Jan 2014 11:32
- UK retail sales grow fastest since 2004 - Shell issues big profit warning - Insurers gain after data on premiums techMARK 2,851.71 +0.28% FTSE 100 6,832.59 +0.25% FTSE 250 16,197.26 -0.08% Markets were registering moderate gains by Friday lunchtime as investors reacted to a surprise surge in UK
Read moreBroker snap: Credit Suisse upbeat about life insurance sector
15th Jan 2014 10:21
Credit Suisse has upgraded its rating for Standard Life from 'neutral' to 'outperform' as part of its review into the European insurance sector. The bank said that insurers' valuations have largely recovered to more "normal levels" after two years of strong sector performance on receding macro conc
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
15th Jan 2014 08:42
African Barrick Gold: Liberum Capital downgrades to sell with a target price of 147p. Deutsche Bank lowers target price from 190p to 180p, while maintaining a hold recommendation. African Minerals: Deutsche Bank shifts target price from 410p to 414p and maintains a buy recommendation. Amlin: JP Mo
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
13th Jan 2014 09:04
Admiral Group: Citi ups target price from 1220p to 1256p and reiterates a neutral rating. Afren: Nomura increases target price from 170p to 210p and stays with its neutral rating. Alternative Networks: Westhouse Securities increases target price from 445p to 540p reiterating its add rating. Amlin
Read moreSector movers: RSA lifts insurers, China data dampens miners
6th Jan 2014 15:11
The non-life insurance sector was the best performing category on Monday after strong gains from RSA Insurance, while mining stocks led the downside after some disappointing Chinese economic data. RSA was up nearly 7% at 98.2p in afternoon trade after positive comments from UBS which raised its tar
Read moreLondon close: Stocks pull back as investors await Fed decision
17th Dec 2013 16:36
- US inflation data in focus ahead of Fed meeting - UK inflation falls, Eurozone inflation picks up - Supermarket fall on competition from discounters - Car insurance is too high, claims Competition Commission techMARK 2,684.75 -0.05% FTSE 100 6,486.19 -0.55% FTSE 250 15,348.56 -0.23% UK markets p
Read moreCar insurance too high, says Competition Commission
17th Dec 2013 13:12
The UK competition watchdog is planning new measures to reform the car insurance market after its investigation into the industry found the cost to consumers was too high. The Competition Commission said drivers were footing the bill for unnecessary costs incurred during the claims process followin
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
16th Dec 2013 08:16
Admiral Group: Deutsche Bank moves target price from 1300p to 1330p and maintains a hold recommendation. Allocate Software: N+1 Singer raises target price from 98p to 108p keeping a buy recommendation. Amlin: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 465p to 484p reiterating its hold recommendation. Ca
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
2nd Dec 2013 08:22
Aberdeen Asset Management: Credit Suisse raises target price from 465p to 515p and maintains a neutral rating. Admiral Group: Citi moves target price from 1215p to 1220p and retains a neutral rating. AVEVA Group: Numis upgrades to buy with a target price of 2980p. AZ Electronic Materials: Deutsch
Read moreDirect Line Group declares special interim dividend of 4p
28th Nov 2013 14:43
The largest retail insurer in the UK, Direct Line Group, on Thursday afternoon announced that it had completed the sale of Direct Line Life InsuranceCompany, its British closed life insurance business, to Chesnara. As the company had previously disclosed in early October, it has chosen to return t
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: SSE, Company flotations, Yellen
14th Nov 2013 07:22
Energy giant SSE has piled more pressure on UK ministers to rethink their policy on "green taxes" by vowing to scale back its planned price hike if the controversial levies were overhauled. The pledge came as the Perth-based group, which trades as Scottish Hydro north of the Border, said its retail
Read moreLondon close: Financials lead markets lower as RSA sinks
5th Nov 2013 16:22
- UK services growth accelerated in October - European Commission downgrades Eurozone growth - RSA leads financials lower after gloomy update techMARK 2,647.46 -0.14% FTSE 100 6,746.84 -0.25% FTSE 250 15,367.61 -0.65% UK markets finished slightly lower on Tuesday as upbeat domestic economic data w
Read moreSector movers: Financials fall as RSA gives gloomy update
5th Nov 2013 13:45
The insurance and banking sectors were out of favour on Tuesday, providing a drag on markets with RSA the standout faller after disappointing the market with a third-quarter update. In a earlier-than-expected statement, the company warned that weather-related losses would be greater than expected t
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