London close: Stocks edge higher as markets digest central bank action
5th Jul 2012 16:38
- BoE ups QE; ECB and PBoC cut rates - Concerns over Chinese growth dampen sentiment - GKN rockets after acquisition, trading update, placing After a subdued morning, markets were choppy in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors took in major policy decisions by central banks in the UK, Europe an
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Dunelm higher after revenue increase
5th Jul 2012 14:11
Homewares retailer Dunelm advanced after saying that total revenue increased 21.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of the group's fiscal year, boosted by the unusually wet weather. However, the group cautioned that it expects consumer spending to remain under pressure. Recruitment groups Hays and Mi
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks edge higher as BoE ups QE
5th Jul 2012 11:35
- BoE increases QE, maintains Bank Rate - ECB expected to cut refi rate to 0.75 per cent - GKN jumps higher after 633m-pound Volvo Aero purchase The Footsie was registering moderate gains in morning trade on Thursday as investors hoped that the Bank of England would inject more stimulus into the su
Read moreLondon open: Markets cautious ahead central bank decisions
5th Jul 2012 08:35
- BoE expected to increase QE - ECB predicted to slash rates - GKN rockets after Volvo Aero acquisition The FTSE 100 was flat in early trading on Thursday with markets cautious ahead of policy decisions in both the UK and Europe due after midday. The Bank of England's (BoE's) Monetary Policy Commi
Read moreDunelm set to beat full year forecasts
5th Jul 2012 07:19
Homewares retailer Dunelm said total revenue increased 21.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of the group's fiscal year, boosted by the unusually wet weather but cautioned that it expects consumer spending to remain under pressure. Like-for-like sales grew 10.4% in the final quarter compared to 1.9%
Read moreThursday preview: All eyes on the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street
4th Jul 2012 18:11
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be revealing its policy decision at midday on Thursday with the majority of economists expecting the Bank of England (BoE) to ramp up its asset purchase programme, or quantitative easing (QE). Analysts at Investec are predicting that the MP
Read moreBroker tips: Petropavlovsk, Ladbrokes, Retailers
6th Jun 2012 11:14
UBS has upgraded its rating for Russia-focused gold group Petropavlovsk from neutral to buy on the back of the recent share-price underperformance and weakness in the rouble. However, UBS has cut its target price from 650p to 630p after lowering its 2012 earnings per share (EPS) forecast by 22% to
Read moreBroker snap: Forecasts for retailers have 'moved from the nadir'
6th Jun 2012 11:04
Peel Hunt has named its top picks and top risks as part of its review of the general retail sector, saying that while the category has enjoyed a strong start to 2012, the recovery is likely to be a long haul. "Outperformance across the retail sector continues to be earnings- driven and stock-specif
Read moreLondon close: Banks, miners lead the rebound
11th Apr 2012 16:43
- Spanish, Italian yields fall on ECB intervention speculation - Barclays leads banks higher after upgrade - UK retail sales values rise in March London's FTSE 100 index finished Wednesday's session strongly following a steep fall yesterday, as investors saw opportunity to build positions in two he
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Michael Page Intl leading the fallers
11th Apr 2012 13:53
Recruitment firm Michael Page International was providing a drag on the FTSE 250 index after admitting that its "markets continue to be weak and visibility remains limited." Nevertheless, gross profit in the first quarter of 2012 grew by 6.9%, up 7.7% on a constant currency basis. Meanwhile, Dunel
Read moreLondon midday: Risk appetite increases as banks, miners advance
11th Apr 2012 12:08
- Footsie back above 5,600 after sell-off - Banks, miners among best performers on Footsie - Michael Page unwanted on FTSE 250 After a tentative start, the Footsie was firmly higher by lunchtime on Wednesday, rebounding after yesterday's mass sell-off on the back of worries over the US jobs market
Read moreWednesday broker round-up - UPDATE
11th Apr 2012 09:36
Barclays: Investec upgrades from hold to buy. Centamin Egypt: Nomura cuts target from 120p to 100p, neutral rating retained. Dignity: Peel Hunt reiterates hold rating and 800p target. Dunelm Group: Investec lifts target from 450p to 500p, hold rating kept; Panmure Gordon keeps buy rating and 600
Read moreLondon open: Cautious start after yesterday's sell-off
11th Apr 2012 08:27
- Miners rebound after steep losses yesterday - Eyes on Spanish yields as industrial output slips - BT falls after downgrade The Footsie swung between gains and losses on Wednesday morning after closing at a four-month low the day before. The blue chip index lost 2.24 per cent on Tuesday to finish
Read moreBrokers keep the faith with Dunelm
11th Apr 2012 07:19
After a decent start to the year things got tougher in February and March at home-ware retailer Dunelm, with like-for-like (LFL) sales growth slowing during the quarter. Total sales in the first quarter of 2012 came in at £154.1m, giving total sales growth over the equivalent period of 2011 of 10.7
Read moreWeek Ahead: Recruitment firms, Dunelm
6th Apr 2012 13:09
In another week shortened by the Easter break, recruitment firms will be in the spotlight with both Michael Page and Hays giving updates. On the consumer front, cash-strapped pubs group Punch Taverns is set to release interim results on Thursday while Mothercare, the toddlers-and-baby goods seller,
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