Broker tips: UK banks, Prudential, National Grid
18th Mar 2013 11:07
Nomura has reviewed its ratings in the UK banking sector, reiterating its preference for emerging markets-focused lenders HSBC and Standard Chartered, both rated 'buy'. The broker said it continues to have a "defensive/growth bias" within the sector and believes that both HSBC and StanChart are "we
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura prefers HSBC and StanChart among UK banks
18th Mar 2013 11:03
Nomura has reviewed its ratings in the UK banking sector, reiterating its preference for emerging markets-focused lenders HSBC and Standard Chartered, both rated 'buy'. The broker said it continues to have a "defensive/growth bias" within the sector and believes that both HSBC and StanChart are "we
Read moreLondon close: US sentiment data dampens stocks as traders take profits
15th Mar 2013 16:51
UK stocks finished the week on a dull note as disappointing data from the States and an ongoing summit of European leaders in Brussels dampened risk appetite in afternoon trade. Following a barrage of impressive US economic figures over recent weeks - especially from the labour market - sentiment w
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: IAG boosted by Morgan Stanley comments
15th Mar 2013 15:09
Airline group IAG was performing well today after Morgan Stanley upgraded its recommendation on the stock to 'overweight', while Aggreko received a boost by Deutsche Bank, which upped the shares to 'buy'. Chip designer ARM Holdings was also higher after Jefferies upgraded the stock from 'hold' to
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
14th Mar 2013 07:11
Amara Mining: After having been under review, Cantor Fitzgerald reinitiates coverage with a price target of 81p and a buy recommendation. Antofagasta: Citigroup shifts target price from 990p to 1000p, but retains its sell recommendation. Ashtead Group: Investec raises target price from 475p to 700
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
11th Mar 2013 07:23
Admiral Group: Berenberg ups target price from 1000p to 1060p, but still recommends selling. Amlin: Westhouse Securities raises target price from 440p to 455p, but downgrades from add to neutral. Anite Group: Invetsec downgrades from buy to hold with a target price of 157p. Aviva: Citigroup reduc
Read moreLondon close: Markets cement gains after strong US jobs data
8th Mar 2013 16:56
The FTSE 100 registered its highest closing price in over five years on Friday after a key indicator of the US labour market smashed expectations. However, the figures failed to give stocks a boost in afternoon trade as investors pondered whether the data is strong enough to prompt the Federal Rese
Read moreSector movers: Barclays, HSBC lead banks higher
8th Mar 2013 15:50
Strong economic data from the States pushed markets higher on Friday, with the banks benefitting from the bullish mood. UK banking heavyweights Barclays and HSBC were among the best performers on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trade. Barclays hit the headlines on Thursday night after its Chief Executiv
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise as market prices in strong US jobs data
8th Mar 2013 11:36
Markets maintained their positive bias on Friday morning as traders showed confidence ahead of a key reading of labour-market strength in the US later on, the February employment report. Increased risk appetite in London meant that financial stocks were leading the way higher today. Expectations r
Read moreBroker tips: HSBC, Schroders, Centrica
8th Mar 2013 11:12
Nomura has retained its 'buy' rating and 900p target price for global banking giant HSBC after its full-year results earlier this week, highlighting the company's strong cost-control momentum, improving revenue outlook and strong capital position. On current valuations, the broker said that the imp
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura upbeat about improving outlook at HSBC
8th Mar 2013 09:46
Nomura has retained its 'buy' rating and 900p target price for global banking giant HSBC after its full-year results earlier this week, highlighting the company's strong cost-control momentum, improving revenue outlook and strong capital position. The bank's core tier-one (CT1) capital ratio (under
Read moreLondon open: Risk appetite increases ahead of US jobs report
8th Mar 2013 08:25
The FTSE 100 was firmly in positive territory on Friday morning ahead of the crucial US employment report due out this afternoon, with traders hoping that jobs figures could beat forecasts given the solid economic data seen as of late. The US jobs report, out at 13:30 London time, is expected to gi
Read moreHSBC to sell loan portfolios
5th Mar 2013 14:03
Banking giant HSBC on Tuesday unveiled plans for its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary HSBC Finance Corp (HFC) to sell its Personal Unsecured Loan and Personal Homeowner Loan portfolios. The portfolios will be sold to SpringCastle Acquisition, a Delaware-based company owned by Springleaf Finance an
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
5th Mar 2013 07:15
Abcam: Investec raises target price from 466p to 484p and keeps a buy recommendation. Numis revises target price from 470p to 530p and maintains its buy ratng. Access Intelligence: Merchant Securities initiates with a target price of 7p and a buy recommendation. Amlin: Canaccord Genuity raises tar
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: GlaxoSmithKline, Credit crunch, HSBC
5th Mar 2013 06:44
Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust has slashed its exposure to UK equities by a third since the start of the year, to 200m pounds, in anticipation of a weaker pound and a correction in equity markets worldwide. Amongst others, it has cut its holdings of stock in the following corporations: Vodafone
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