Broker tips: UK banks, Easyjet, Just Retirement, ASOS
6th Oct 2014 11:35
Shares in HSBC and emerging markets bank Standard Chartered both look cheap, according to analysts at Barclays Capital, though HSBC is the broker's preferred pick as it appears "structurally and cyclically stronger". The valuations of both stocks suggest potential buying opportunities, Barclays said
Read moreCitigroup raises estimates and price target for Easyjet
6th Oct 2014 10:55
Citigroup has raised its profit estimates and price target for Easyjet after the budget carrier last week upgraded its guidance for this year. The broker said it now expected Easyjet to report 2014 pre-tax profits of £577m rather than the £545m it had penciled in beforehand. It also upped its 2015 e
Read moreMonday broker round-up
6th Oct 2014 10:05
Asos: UBS ups target price from 4000p to 4050p and stays with its buy recommendation. Cranswick: Numis cuts target price from 1326p to 1296p and keeps a hold recommendation. Dunelm Group: Citi reduces target price from 930p to 870p downgrading to neutral. easyJet: Citi ups target price from 1600p
Read moreSector movers: Airlines surge, but stronger dollar knocks commodity stocks lower
4th Oct 2014 17:55
The outlook for the world's major economies may be diverging, but at least on Friday the price action at the sector level was very similar, over on Wall Street, across the Channel and in the UK. The upside was led by travel-related stocks on the top flight index, while mining, precious metals or bas
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ends on a high after US employment figures deliver suprise
3rd Oct 2014 16:38
It was a positive finish to the week for the FTSE, as stocks rebounded from four straight days of declines as US employment data beats expectations. The FTSE 100 closed 81.52 points higher at 6,527.91, a drop of 123.25 on the week. US non-farm payrolls rose to beat forecasts and the jobless rate fe
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Easyjet soars after impressing with H2 update
3rd Oct 2014 15:58
Easyjet shares took off after the budget airline increased its outlook for the half year ended 30 September from between £545m and £570m to between £575m and £580m, thanks to a strong finish to the summer season, which saw increased revenue per seat. The group has also benefited from the Air France
Read moreWeek ahead: FOMC minutes in focus, China data possible
3rd Oct 2014 14:56
The coming week will see the flow of data slow in most jurisdictions, but traders following UK markets will have quite a bit to keep them on their toes. Nevertheless, the key risk event of the week is likely to be Wednesday evening's FOMC minutes, what with investors waiting on every word that comes
Read moreLondon midday: Markets on the rise as investors wait for US September jobs report
3rd Oct 2014 12:01
UK stocks were on the rise at lunchtime on Friday, rebounding from Thursday's low as investors' eyes were focused on the US September jobs report which is due out this afternoon. At the midday point, the FTSE 100 was 55 points up to 6,501.47. The UK purchasing managers index for the services indust
Read moreLondon open: Stocks bounce ahead of US non-farm payrolls report
3rd Oct 2014 08:54
The Footsie began the Friday session with a bounce following the previous session's thrashing and ahead of the US September jobs report which is due out this afternoon. As of 09:00 London's top flight index was rising by 46 points to 6,492. Helping sentiment along, US equities steadied on Thursday
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to open higher after US pares losses to end flat
3rd Oct 2014 07:42
The FTSE is expected to move higher on Friday morning, tracking a late rally in the US which resulted in a flat finish Stateside ahead of the country's September jobs report. City sources predict the top tier index will open around 55 points higher than yesterday's close of 6,446.39. US stocks reco
Read moreEasyjet shares take off after upping H2 outlook and dividend
3rd Oct 2014 07:12
Easyjet was flying high after reporting a strong finish to the year on Friday, with the group increasing its outlook for the second half after higher revenue per set led to an upbeat end of summer trading. The low cost flyer has upped its profit forecasts for the second half from between £545m and £
Read moreLondon close: Stocks end with modest gain, but down on week overall
26th Sep 2014 16:48
UK stocks ended the final session of the week with a modest rise, although on the week the index was significantly lower. The FTSE 100 closed 9.68 points higher at 6,649.39. Markets are concerned about mounting geopolitical tensions, with the government due to take a vote on whether to participate
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 declines as mining stocks fall on dollar advance
25th Sep 2014 17:14
teerngasLondon's top shares tumbled on Thursday as the rising dollar took its toll on mining and energy stocks. The FTSE 100 Index closed 66.56p points adrift at 6639.71 as the greenback bounced on speculation of monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank (ECB) and US interest rate hikes. Spe
Read moreLondon midday: Dollar strength weighs on commodities, Footsie
25th Sep 2014 12:36
UK stocks were holding slightly lower come midday and lagging the rest of European benchmarks as the dollar continued to strengthen, pressuring commodity prices lower across the board. The US dollar index is trading at a four-year high, just as commodities such as wheat plumb four-year lows. Three-m
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Sep 2014 09:36
AVEVA: JP Morgan reduces target price from 2450p to 1825p, while leaving its overweight rating unchanged. African Minerals: Credit Suisse reduces target price from 120p to 25p, while leaving its neutral rating unchanged. Aviva: Goldman Sachs ups target price from 490p to 515p and reiterates a neutr
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