Broker tips: BHP Billiton, BP, Building materials sector
22nd May 2015 11:39
Investec has upgraded its stance on BHP Billiton from 'sell' to 'hold' following the spin-off of the miner's South32 portfolio this week, as well as recent reduced capital and operating cost guidance. While many of BHP's remaining key commodities at prices not seen since 2009, the broker said: "We e
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks hold on to gains before US CPI, Vodafone continues to rise
22nd May 2015 11:23
UK stocks held on to gains on Friday ahead of some key economic data from the States, which is forecast to show that the US remained in deflation last month. Strong gains from Vodafone, HSBC and a host of stocks in the mining sector were supporting markets in London. The FTSE 100 was up 0.37% at 7,
Read moreJefferies turns positive on building materials stocks
22nd May 2015 11:20
Shares of building materials peers Wolseley, Travis Perkins, Howden Joinery and Grafton Group were all on the rise on Friday after Jefferies took positive stance on the sector. With equity markets more buoyant, the broker admitted that its previous valuation metrology was "too cautious", as it upgra
Read moreGrafton sales growth limited by margin pressures
12th May 2015 07:44
Builders merchant and DIY group Grafton Group has had a positive start to the year, though margin pressures in its UK business partially offset top-line growth. The company, with operations in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, reported 9.6% year-on-year growth in constant-currency revenues over the four
Read moreGrafton Group completes acquisition of TG Lynes
2nd Mar 2015 08:20
Grafton Group has completed the acquisition of TG Lynes, a distributor of mechanical engineering products. TG Lynes supplies products in the UK mechanical services market for use in commercial and public sector buildings, apartments and industrial processes. Grafton said the acquisition "greatly en
Read moreGrafton revenue rise 9.5% amid favourable trading conditions
8th Jan 2015 08:46
Favourable trading conditions and sustained recovery in Ireland enabled DIY and building group Grafton to nail full year revenues and profits in line with expectations. The group, which operates in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, said the rate of growth had eased as expected in the fourth quarter to 4.
Read moreGrafton Group completes acquisition of Crescent Building Supplies
2nd Dec 2014 07:50
Builders merchant and DIY group Grafton has completed the acquisition of Crescent Building Supplies, a general merchant business trading from three branches in West London and one in Berkshire. The addition of Crescent, which generated revenue of £10.5m in the financial year to 31 March, will improv
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
17th Nov 2014 10:32
African Barrick Gold: Investec reduces target price from 262p to 170p and downgrades to sell. Associated British Foods: Liberum initiates with a target price of 3470p and a buy recommendation. Bodycote: Investec lowers target price from 750p to 745p and maintains its buy recommendation. Centamin:
Read moreGrafton disappoints as UK and Irish LFL sales slip during Q3
13th Nov 2014 12:31
Building materials group Grafton disappointed with third-quarter like-for-like sales lower than the first half even though it said demand and total revenue increased in the UK and Ireland. Revenue for the ten months to 31 October increased by 10% to £1.76bn, especially boosted by the housing market
Read moreGrafton expands presence in Brussels
1st Oct 2014 07:05
Building merchant Grafton Group has completed the acquisition of Brussels-based Gedimat-Ginion. The Belgian firm generated revenue of £3.2m in the year ended 30 June. Grafton said the addition expands and complements its coverage of the Brussels market following the acquisition earlier this year of
Read moreGrafton increases South East footprint through bolt-on acquisition
1st Sep 2014 07:49
Builder merchant and DIY group Grafton has bought South East-focused business Direct Builders Merchants for an undisclosed sum. The FTSE 250-listed company, which has operations in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, said the bolt-on purchase "improves the group's coverage of the merchanting market in Ken
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
27th Aug 2014 09:57
Antofagasta: Westhouse Securities reduces target price from 885p to 805p and stays with its neutral rating. Bunzl: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 1508p to 1565p leaving its hold recommendation unchanged. Chime Communications: Canaccord Genuity lowers target price from 390p to 385p and maintai
Read moreGrafton interim earnings soar but second half will be slower
27th Aug 2014 07:46
Builders merchant Grafton almost doubled earnings in the first half of the year as the recovery in UK and Ireland became more broadly based, but it expects the second half to slow against strong numbers the year before. Chief executive Gavin Slark reminded that the recovery in its markets was stil
Read moreUK housing "revival" gives Grafton a boost in first half
10th Jul 2014 08:14
Builders merchant and DIY group Grafton said it saw an increase in momentum in the first half, with demand tracking an ongoing economic recovery in the UK and Ireland. Ahead of its interim results due out on August 27th, the company said that the first-half financial performance is expected to show
Read moreRightmove Chairman sells 7m pounds of shares
27th May 2014 15:09
Rightmove's Chairman Scott Forbes has offloaded nearly a half of a holding in the property website group, selling over seven million pounds in shares. Forbes, who has been in his current role since 2005, sold 300,000 shares at an average price of 2,350.81p each, raising a total of £7.05m. Followin
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