Hikma hurt by Middle East conflict
16th Mar 2011 07:39
Shares of Jordan-based Hikma Pharmaceuticals fell as it warned recent events in the Middle East and North Africa region, particularly in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia will result in slower growth in its key branded business in 2011. "We started 2011 with double digit growth expectations for our Branded
Read moreWednesday Preview: Greggs, Marston's, Hikma
15th Mar 2011 17:19
Results from Greggs will help give us a clearer picture of the state of the British High Street. Shore Capital is predicting a 7% rise in pre-tax profits from the baked snacks retailer, though the broker is less cheery over trading so far this year. One interesting aspect to look out for is what Gr
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Amec, Carillion, Autonomy...
2nd Feb 2011 06:47
Exploration and production spending by oil companies is expected to increase significantly in 2011 - with analysts predicting investment could rise by as much as a fifth. This is an opportunity for Amec. Any M&A activity could be a catalyst for the shares to outperform. The shares are trading on a
Read moreHikma maintains guidance
12th Nov 2010 07:58
Hikma Pharmaceuticals still thinks revenue growth for 2010 will be in the low teens and gross margin will be higher than in 2009. The Jordan-based firm is "performing well" this year, with strong growth for the branded business in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region during the second hal
Read moreBrainspark boss increases stake to 38.2%
9th Nov 2010 16:29
Alfredo Villa, chief executive of Brainspark, has bought 2.1m shares £2.6m or 125p a share. Brainspark is an investment company with a primary portfolio in Italy encompassing interactive media, leisure, entertainment and financial services. As well as being the chief executivee of Brainspark, Vill
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Smiths, Weir, Xchanging...
2nd Nov 2010 06:46
Smiths, the technology group, enjoyed steady gains on the stock market yesterday as investors woke up to what could be an unexpected boost to its bottom line. The interest was triggered by the recently foiled cargo bomb plot, in which explosive devices were posted in Yemen with the freight firms UPS
Read moreLondon close: Footsie takes small step back
29th Oct 2010 17:24
The movements of the FTSE 100 index appeared to be directed by a lackadaisical Grand Old Duke of York today, and the blue-chip index finished (more or less) neither up nor down. British Airways was lower even though it swung to a profit in the first half as the airline improved yields and cut costs
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie returns to blue
29th Oct 2010 15:15
London has finally pulled itself back into the blue helped by a solid start on Wall Street after GDP numbers disappointed slightly. Over here, GfK NOP's consumer confidence index improved to -19 in October, confounding economists' expectations of a slide to -22 or even lower. The survey was taken b
Read moreBroker tips: British Airways, Hikma, Hunting
29th Oct 2010 13:06
Despite an 'excellent improvement' in profits and an upgraded target price, Panmure Gordon is sticking with its 'hold' recommendation for British Airways (BA) due to economic uncertainty. Half-year turnover for the airline rose by 8.4% to £4.4bn. BA also swung to a pre-tax profit of £158m from last
Read moreBroker snap: Hikma purchase gets thumbs up
29th Oct 2010 12:02
The purchase of a multi-source injectables business by Hikma Pharmaceuticals looks a good one 'at first glance' and has prompted KBC Peel Hunt to up its price target for Hikma, but not by enough to justify changing its neutral stance on the stock. The biotechnology and pharmaceuticals company anno
Read moreLondon midday: Miners pull index lower
29th Oct 2010 11:52
Weak miners and a poor reception to results from British Airways have discouraged buyers generally, despite some encouraging news on the consumer confidence front. GfK NOP's consumer confidence index improved to -19 in October, confounding economists' expectations of a slide to -22 or even lower. T
Read moreLondon open: Slow progress for blue chips
29th Oct 2010 08:42
London has made modest early gains despite a poor session in Asia and unconvincing display on Wall Street overnight. British Airways is lower even though it swung to a profit in the first half as the airline improved yields and cut costs. It made a pre-tax profit of £158m in the six months ended 30
Read moreHikma does 'transformational' injectables deal
29th Oct 2010 08:08
Hikma Pharmaceuticals becomes the second largest injectables supplier in the US after agreeing to pay $112m (£70m) in cash for Baxter Healthcare's generic injectables business. The Jordan-based firm said the acquired portfolio includes 41 products in over 150 dosage strengths and forms across 23 th
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rallies after shaky start
18th Oct 2010 16:48
After a sluggish start to the day, shares closed with good gains following a lively start on Wall Street. Better than expected profits on the back of a decline in provisions for bad loans at Citigroup sparked buying interest. Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have confirmed that their propo
Read moreLondon afternoon: Equities push on
18th Oct 2010 14:54
Leading shares added to the morning's gains over the lunch time session though miners remain under a cloud as metal prices retreat. Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have confirmed that their proposed $116bn Pilbara iron ore joint venture is dead in the water. The companies had agreed in D
Read more