GlaxoSmithKline's first-quarter sales fall short - UPDATE
30th Apr 2014 12:12
- Sales down 10 per cent on reported basis - EPS falls 20 per cent - US weakness offsets growth elsewhere - Company changes guidance language The strength of sterling had a big impact on results at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the first quarter, while sales fell short of analysts' expectations due to w
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise but markets cautious ahead of Fed decision
30th Apr 2014 11:53
- Markets cautious ahead of FOMC outcome - Eurozone inflation picks up but misses consensus - Heritage Oil jumps on takeover offer - Shell and Tullow lead markets higher techMARK 2,775.59 -0.56% FTSE 100 6,776.83 +0.10% FTSE 250 15,813.39 -0.52% UK stocks were trading slightly higher on Wednesday
Read moreWednesday preview: GlaxoSmithKline, Royal Dutch and Antofagasta awaited
29th Apr 2014 16:45
The upcoming session will again witness the release of a raft of corporate results, with many outfits set to go ex-dividend. Interim statements are due from several 'heavy hitters', including Barclays, Tullow Oil, Standard Life, British American Tobacco and Next. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Royal
Read moreLondon close: FTSE closes above 6,700 despite sanctions on Russia
28th Apr 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 14.47 at 6,700.19 - AstraZeneca drives index higher - US imposes sanctions on Russia - China's Politburo signals no new large-scale easing ahead techMARK 2,770.82 +0.83% FTSE 100 6,700.16 +0.22% FTSE 250 15,826.24 -0.39% UK stocks closed modestly higher today, driven by AstraZene
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca soars on Pfizer bid interest
28th Apr 2014 14:40
AstraZeneca was the day's stand-out performer, up by more than 15 per cent this afternoon after US pharma giant Pfizer confirmed that it had made a 'preliminary, non-binding indication of interest' regarding a possible merger in January. The 60bn pound proposal was rejected by AstraZeneca's board bu
Read moreSector movers: M&A boosts pharma sectors as AstraZeneca soars
28th Apr 2014 14:07
M&A activity was continuing to drive the global pharmaceutical sector higher today after Pfizer confirmed it was working on its next move after its first tentative approach for AstraZeneca in January was rejected. Shares in the Anglo-Swedish group were up around 15% at 4,705p in afternoon trade af
Read moreLondon midday: AstraZeneca leads stocks higher, but traders cautious
28th Apr 2014 11:53
- AstraZeneca jumps as Pfizer confirms interest - US announces new sanctions on Russian officials - Japanese retail sales surge, but analysts still cautious - BG Group drops after CEO exit, update - Premier Oil rejects Ophir merger approach techMARK 2,788.13 +1.46% FTSE 100 6,708.87 +0.35% FTSE 250
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 rises as AstraZeneca jumps
28th Apr 2014 08:33
- AstraZeneca jumps as Pfizer confirms interest - Pharma stocks outweigh weakness in basic resource shares - Japanese retail sales surge, but analysts still cautious - BG Group drops after CEO exit, update techMARK 2,780.12 +1.17% FTSE 100 6,700.83 +0.23% FTSE 250 15,848.32 -0.25% UK markets edge
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks inch lower on mixed data and earnings
23rd Apr 2014 11:37
- AB Foods jumps, ARM and Sports Direct fall - UK borrowing falls more than expected - Chinese manufacturing still in contraction - Eurozone business activity improves techMARK 2,740.84 +0.09% FTSE 100 6,670.05 -0.18% FTSE 250 15,991.94 -0.56% UK stocks pulled back from a three-week high on Wednes
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Apr 2014 09:04
AB Foods: Numis upgrades from sell to reduce with a target price of 2240p. AstraZeneca: Citi raises target price from 3500p to 4900p and upgrades to buy. Fenner: Investec cuts target price from 375p to 360p and reiterates its sell recommendation. Genus: N+1 Singer upgrades to hold with a target p
Read moreLondon open: Stocks edge higher, AB Foods jumps on Primark expansion
23rd Apr 2014 08:40
- AB Foods jumps on Primark expansion plans - Stocks rise, but upside limited - BoE minutes, economic data ahead - Chinese manufacturing PMI contracts again techMARK 2,749.64 +0.41% FTSE 100 6,688.65 +0.10% FTSE 250 16,067.20 -0.09% UK stocks edged higher on Wednesday morning with Primark owner As
Read moreLondon close: FTSE closes in positive territory, pharma stocks lead
22nd Apr 2014 16:15
- FTSE closes up 56.51 points at 6,681.76 - Easter weekend retail sales disappoint - Monthly US existing home sales down 0.4 per cent techMARK 2,738.48 +2.18% FTSE 100 6,681.76 +0.85% FTSE 250 16,082.24 +1.10% The FTSE 100 closed on an upbeat note today, having touched 6,700 earlier in the sessio
Read moreSector movers: M&A gives pharma stocks a big boost
22nd Apr 2014 15:28
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology stocks were rising by an average of six per cent in London on Tuesday, helped by a wave of high-profile M&A deals across the global healthcare sector. Leading the charge in the UK was AstraZeneca on reports that it could be at the centre of the largest deal in phar
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca surges on takeover speculation
22nd Apr 2014 14:37
AstraZeneca was rising strongly on speculation that Pfizer could make a takeover approach for the company, in a transaction valued in the region of 60bn pounds, representing the biggest deal ever in the industry's history and the largest foreign takeover of a UK business on record. While AstraZene
Read moreBroker tips: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Shire, Pets at Home
22nd Apr 2014 12:53
Societe Generale has kept a 'sell' recommendation on AstraZeneca (AZN), questioning the reasoning behind a potential takeover by US pharmaceutical peer Pfizer. Societe said: "In our view, given AZN's forecast revenue and earnings profile through 2018-2019 (an earnings decline until 2018), which is
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