London midday: Markets up but gains limited ahead of election
5th May 2015 11:37
Stocks started the shortened trading week positively on Tuesday, taking their cue from gains in Europe and the US the previous day. After being closed on Monday for the bank holiday, the FTSE 100 was up 0.38% at 7,012.52 by midday, rising for the third straight session. However, falls from HSBC, mi
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise, but miners limit upside after RBA rate cut
5th May 2015 09:14
UK stocks opened in the green on Tuesday morning after the long weekend as markets tracked gains in Europe and the US the previous session, though miners were limiting upside. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.5% higher at 7,021.16 early on with gains capped as political uncertainty kicked in ahead of poll
Read moreLondon pre-open: Positive start expected as UK markets reopen after bank holiday
5th May 2015 07:47
UK stocks are expected to rise on Tuesday morning as London investors play catch-up after the long weekend, tracking gains in Europe and Wall Street. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 38 points higher than Friday's close of 6,985.95. "London markets look set to play catch-up this morning
Read moreGreene King's CEO sells £0.6m worth of shares
13th Apr 2015 15:40
The chief executive of British brewery Greene King sold £0.6m worth of shares on Monday. Rooney Anand sold 74,751 shares at an individual price of 842.46p, pocketing a total of £629,747. After the transaction, Anand was left holding 467,265 shares in the group, representing a 0.21% stake. The shar
Read moreLondon close: FTSE jumps 1.6% after business-friendly Budget, Fed meeting ahead
18th Mar 2015 16:41
Those expecting little market reaction to the Budget on Wednesday were probably left surprised, with stocks in the energy, financial, housing and consumer staples sectors leading the surge in London following George Osborne's statement. Dovish comments from Bank of England policymakers were also buo
Read moreShares in UK listed booze makers and pub owners advance after duty relief
18th Mar 2015 15:27
Shares in UK listed pub landlords, brewers and beverage companies all added gains on Wednesday after UK chancellor George Osborne decided to cut duty on beer by 1p for the third successive time in his budget. "Today I am cutting beer duty for the third year in a row - taking another penny off a pint
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Greene King, Alliance Pharma
20th Jan 2015 14:23
Pub operator Greene King has seen a slowdown in its sales for the fiscal year-to-date, but its recent purchase of rival Spirit Pub Company will pay off. In the 36 weeks since the start of the financial year like-for-like sales were ahead by 0.6%, a mediocre result, even if it was partially due to to
Read moreBroker tips: Tesco, Tullow Oil, Greene King, KAZ Minerals
19th Jan 2015 14:18
Supermarket operator Tesco has scope to materially improve its UK operations, according to Morgan Stanley which upgraded the stock from 'equalweight' to 'overweight' and hiked its target price from 155p to 260p. Together with moves to optimise its portfolio, that should drive the shares to outperfor
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks trim gains as miners decline
19th Jan 2015 12:17
UK stocks had pared gains and were trading more or less flat by Monday lunchtime as investors showed caution ahead of a busy week. London's FTSE 100 was up just 0.1% at 6,558 by noon, having pulled back after reaching an intra-day high of 6,589.20 early on as mining stocks extended losses. Monday's
Read moreCanaccord highlights importance of Spirit takeover after "lacklustre" update from Greene King
19th Jan 2015 09:53
Greene King's Christmas trading update on Monday was "slightly lacklustre", according to Canaccord Genuity, though the broker maintained its 'buy' rating on the pub and brewery group. Retail like-for-like (LFL) sales over Christmas and the New Year alone were up 2%, but were flat over the six weeks
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise ahead of busy week with ECB in focus
19th Jan 2015 08:38
UK stocks rose on Monday morning ahead of a busy week, as investors shrugged off a sell-off on Chinese markets overnight. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 6,577 in early deals. Stocks in Shanghai plunged 8% on Monday with shares in the financial sectors faring the worst after securities regulators
Read moreLondon pre-open: Positive start expected despite sell-off in China
19th Jan 2015 07:39
UK stocks were expected to rise on Monday despite a massive sell-off on Chinese markets overnight after the government cracked down on margin-trading accounts. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 20 points higher than Friday's close of 6,550.27. Stocks in Shanghai plunged 8% on Monday with
Read morePubs group Greene King delivers subdued Christmas update
19th Jan 2015 07:36
Pub operator and brewer Greene King said sales over the key Christmas period were "encouraging", though trading before and after the festive season was mixed. The company, whose shareholders have voted in favour of the proposed tie-up with Spirit Pub Company, also said it expects the deal to complet
Read moreC&C confirms end of Spirit pursuit, leaving way clear for Green King
6th Jan 2015 15:29
Irish drinks maker C&C Group has called off its pursuit of Spirit Pub Company, as recently rumoured, leaving the way clear for Greene King to complete its recommended £723m takeover. C&C, which makes Magners, Bulmers and Gaymers ciders as well as Tennent's lager, said a combination with Spirit no lo
Read moreFriday broker round-up
5th Dec 2014 09:48
Amino Technologies: N`+1 Singer ups target price from 107p to 141p and keeps a 'buy' recommendation. Barr (AG): Numis upgrades from 'hold' to 'add' with a target price of 659p. Jefferies reduces target price from 678p to 510p and downgrades to 'sell'. Betfair: JP Morgan increases target price from
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