London open: Stocks bounce back with oil after Libyan port closures
15th Dec 2014 08:19
After an initial drop the FTSE 100 Index recovered to trade slightly in the black, led by oil companies' shares. Over the weekend the United Arab Emirates' energy minister, Suhail Al-Mazrouei, said the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would be willing to withstand a drop in the
Read moreGreggs set to serve up better than-expected FY profits
15th Dec 2014 07:24
Good weather has helped baker Greggs to predict annual profits ahead of hopes. Greggs said favourable trading with "generally helpful" weather enabled it to increase own shop like-for-like sales by 5.2% in the 24 weeks to 13 December. Year-to-date own shop like-for-like sales rose 4.2% against a 1.
Read moreSector movers: Grocery stocks tank after yet another profit warning from Tesco
9th Dec 2014 15:20
Another profit warning from Tesco shattered already-fragile sentiment in the supermarket sector on Tuesday with grocery stocks falling sharply. Tesco's shares were down 7.4% at 173.4p in afternoon trade, having dropped as much as 16% early on, after the retail giant surprised the market with an unsc
Read moreGreggs sees jump in like-for-like sales following store refits, closures
15th Sep 2014 08:18
Bakery and fast-food retailer Greggs reported a slight acceleration in year-to-date sales to a 3.5% clip, as like-for-like sales registered a strong rebound. Like-for-like sales rebounded by 5.4% during the 11 weeks ended on 13 September, versus a 1% fall in the same period of the year before, as to
Read moreSector movers: Tesco, Morrison lead supermarket stocks lower
4th Sep 2014 15:16
Supermarket stocks were under pressure on Thursday, continuing their recent choppy trade amid ongoing concerns about heightened competition, declining profits, dividend sustainability and a critical government into the industry. The Elliott Report, an inquiry into the industry launched as a result
Read moreGreggs H1 profits warm up on new products and shop refits - UPDATE
30th Jul 2014 08:12
New products and shop refits heated up half-year profits at British high street baker Greggs, but it warned of tougher trading later in the year. Greggs said a rise in pre-tax profit in the 26 weeks to June 28th to £16.9m from £11.4m a year ago should be taken in the context of a period of weak tra
Read moreSector movers: Food retailers rebound after recent falls, Tesco rises
14th Jul 2014 15:22
Bargain-hunting was benefiting the food and drug retail sector on Monday as supermarket stocks recovered after suffering some heavy falls last week. A strong rebound across the wider market was experienced today with the FTSE 100 rising 1% after dropping 2.6% last week on concerns over Portugal's b
Read moreLondon pre-open: Chinese PMI to give FTSE lift early on
1st Jul 2014 07:40
Buoyed by a positive set of Chinese manufacturing figures out overnight, London stocks are set to register decent gains this morning. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 17 points above yesterday's close of 6,743.94. Wall Street finished yesterday on a mixed note, matching the pic
Read moreGreggs sees higher H1 profits after good trading
1st Jul 2014 07:38
Bakery chain Greggs served up higher sales in the first half as new products attracted customers, helping it to forecast better interim profits than last year. Innovations such as revamped pizzas and pasties and new-style cakes drove a 3.2% rise in like-for-like sales in the 26 weeks to June 28th,
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Feb 2014 08:54
Anglo Pacific: FinnCap cuts target price from 279p to 216p, downgrades to hold. Ashmore Group: UBS reduces target price from 405p to 355p, while leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Jefferies cuts target price from 475p to 375p, while its buy recommendation is kept. Barclays lowers target pric
Read moreGreggs sales fall due to bad weather, outlook stays tough
26th Feb 2014 08:12
Bakery chain Greggs took a hit to annual sales from bad weather last year, but said it was encouraged by early results of an overhaul of the business. Greggs, which had 1,671 shops in the UK at the end of last year, said like-for-like sales in the year to December 28th fell 0.8%. Total sales rose 3
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
19th Feb 2014 08:33
Anite: Panmure Gordon lowers target price from 146p to 139p, while leaving its buy recommendation unaltered. Bank of Georgia: Canaccord Genuity increases target price from 2100p to 2400p, while leaving its hold recommendation unchanged. BHP Billiton: Investec raises target price from 1926p to 1985
Read moreSector movers: Morrison leads supermarket comeback after press speculation
13th Jan 2014 15:14
Supermarkets were lifting the food and drug retail sector higher on Monday as stocks recovered following a tough week for the industry. Morrison, Tesco and Sainsbury were all making decent gains in afternoon trade after all three grocers disappointed investors with poor like-for-like (LFL) sales ov
Read moreGreggs enjoys rise in fourth-quarter sales after strong festive trading
9th Jan 2014 09:32
UK bakery Greggs posted a 2.6 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter, supported by strong trading over the Christmas period. The company achieved a 3.1% rise in like-for-like sales during the Christmas and New Year period in the five weeks ended January 4th. This compared to
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
3rd Dec 2013 09:10
Arrow Global: Numis starts with a target price of 270p and an add rating. Antofagasta: UBS shaves target price from 870p to 845p, 'neutral' rating maintained. Aquarius Platinum: UBS cuts target price from 44p to 43p, 'neutral' rating kept. Ashtead Group: Citi raises target price from 750p to 800p
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