London open: Markets look to central banks for a boost
30th Aug 2012 08:28
- All eyes on Jackson Hole - Draghi expected to announce something 'big' next week - Miners lower as Footsie experiences third day in the red Miners were once again weighing on the benchmark index in London this morning, as risk appetite continues to be scaled back ahead of some pivotal central ban
Read moreHays's results driven by international markets
30th Aug 2012 08:10
A strong showing in international markets helped recruitment firm Hays offset a loss in its UK division. The company said there would be no let up in the tough market conditions going into 2013. Net fees in the year to the end of June were up 9% to £734m. Profit before tax was up 11% to 122.4m bu
Read moreThursday preview; Jackson Hole, lending data, Hays
29th Aug 2012 17:11
The Economic Symposium at Jackson Hole held by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City kicks off on Thursday, although it won't be until Friday that the star turn, Ben Bernanke, makes his speech. The Bank of England publishes money and credit data for July. Barclays Capital expects net mortgage le
Read moreWeek Ahead: Jackson Hole, Hays, G4S, gaming firms
24th Aug 2012 10:40
The late August bank holiday means that five days of results are squeezed into four but even so, the schedule does not seem particularly busy, and with the major economic event of the week - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke speaking at the central bankers conference in Jackson Hole - taking pla
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Burberry, Hays
12th Jul 2012 07:00
The Questor team in The Telegraph has recommended to hold luxury brand group Burberry, after the firm's latest slowdown in sales growth hit the shares hard yesterday. The paper says that to justify its rating - shares are trading at 16.9 times current-year earnings - Burberry must continue to grow
Read moreHays hit by financial services slowdown
11th Jul 2012 08:37
Recruitment firm Hays followed its rivals by reporting on a 'challenging' environment, which was likely to remain unchanged in the near future. The company said like-for-like fees grew 2% in the second quarter of 2012, with the firm getting a big boost from German activities. It saw growth of 14%
Read moreWednesday broker round-up
11th Jul 2012 08:10
ASOS: HSBC downgrades to neutral, target lifted from 1,780p to 1,950p. Avanti Communications: Jefferies reiterates buy rating and 600p target. Aviva: Morgan Stanley upgrades to overweight. Balfour Beatty: UBS downgrades to neutral, target cut from 340p to 310p. BTG: Jefferies downgrades from buy
Read moreWednesday preview: Hays, Wetherspoon, Burberry
10th Jul 2012 17:04
Recent updates from sector peers Michael Page and Robert Walters have not given any reason for shareholders to be overly optimistic about recruiter Hays's trading update on Wednesday. Michael Page said the first half of the year had been tough and it expected more of the same in the second half, wh
Read moreWeek Ahead: Recruiters, house builders, AB Foods
6th Jul 2012 11:51
Next week sees two big recruitment agencies, Michael Page and Hays, update the market, and if the Thursday's report from smaller rival Robert Walters is anything to go by, the news may not be good. Better news is expected from house builders Bovis and Galliford Try if recent trading statements from
Read moreLondon close: Stocks edge higher as markets digest central bank action
5th Jul 2012 16:38
- BoE ups QE; ECB and PBoC cut rates - Concerns over Chinese growth dampen sentiment - GKN rockets after acquisition, trading update, placing After a subdued morning, markets were choppy in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors took in major policy decisions by central banks in the UK, Europe an
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Dunelm higher after revenue increase
5th Jul 2012 14:11
Homewares retailer Dunelm advanced after saying that total revenue increased 21.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of the group's fiscal year, boosted by the unusually wet weather. However, the group cautioned that it expects consumer spending to remain under pressure. Recruitment groups Hays and Mi
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks edge higher as BoE ups QE
5th Jul 2012 11:35
- BoE increases QE, maintains Bank Rate - ECB expected to cut refi rate to 0.75 per cent - GKN jumps higher after 633m-pound Volvo Aero purchase The Footsie was registering moderate gains in morning trade on Thursday as investors hoped that the Bank of England would inject more stimulus into the su
Read moreRobert Walters hit by slowdown in Asia Pacific
5th Jul 2012 09:37
A banking sector slow-down in the Asia Pacific put a dent in net fee income in the second quarter at recruitment firm Robert Walters. Group profit in the second quarter fell 3 per cent, or 2 per cent on a constant currency basis, from £49.2m a year ago to £47.6m this time round, which the group hai
Read moreSevern Trent Chief Exec ditch shares to cover liabilities
8th Jun 2012 16:28
Tony Wray, the Chief Executive Officer of Severn Trent, the FTSE 100 utility provider which serves eight million customers, has ditched 4,570 shares in the firm to cover his tax liabilities following the award of shares under a long-term incentive plan. Wray traded the shares at 1,747p a pop, pocke
Read moreWednesday broker round-up
30th May 2012 09:31
Aberdeen: UBS cuts target from 340p to 300p, buy rating unchanged. Ashmore: UBS cuts target from 420p to 380p, buy rating unchanged. AVEVA: Merchant Securities raises target from 1,800p to 1,850p, buy rating unchanged. Centrica: Nomura cuts target from 355p to 320p, neutral rating kept. Drax: No
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