London midday: Markets cautious on critical day for Cyprus
22nd Mar 2013 11:47
European stocks were making moderate gains on Friday morning but the mood on financial markets was cautious with the focus firmly on Cyprus ahead of pivotal day for the country's future in the Eurozone. According to government spokesman Christos Sylianides this morning, the "next few hours" are key
Read moreBroker tips: HSBC, BP, HomeServe
22nd Mar 2013 11:09
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has taken a less bearish view on global banking group HSBC and moved its recommendation from 'underperform' to 'neutral'. BofA said: "While we remain concerned about the return on equity capacity of HSBC, it has done an outstanding job in improving capital ratios, some
Read moreBroker snap: BofA upgrades HSBC to 'neutral'
22nd Mar 2013 09:07
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has taken a less bearish view on global banking group HSBC and moved its recommendation from 'underperform' to 'neutral'. The broker said that its previous rating was built on concerns surrounding concensus earnings, the drag of increasing capital on organic growth and
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd Mar 2013 08:48
Afren: Nomura shifts target price from 175p to 180p keeping a neutral rating. ASOS: Nomura increases target price from 2000p to 2630p, while reiterating a neutral rating. Betfair: Panmure Gordon takes target price from 761p to 813p and leaves its buy recommendation unchanged. Brewin Dolphin Holdi
Read moreHSBC accused of money laundering in Argentina
19th Mar 2013 11:21
HSBC has been hit with allegations of money laundering in Argentina following a fine for similar claims in the US last year, according to a number of reports published Tuesday. Argentina's tax agency Afip has accused the banking giant of assisting companies in laundering 392m pesos and evading 224
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
19th Mar 2013 07:21
Admiral Group: Canaccord Genuity raises target price from 1050p to 1215p, but reiterates its sell recommendation. BAE Systems: Investec moves target price from 325p to 375p retaining a hold recommendation. Balfour Beatty: Numis lowers target price from 330p to 300p and downgrades to add. BHP Bill
Read moreLondon close: Stocks trim losses as bank-run fears subside
18th Mar 2013 16:44
After registering sharp declines early on, stock markets across Europe had clawed back losses by the close of trade on Monday, as concerns of a contagious bank run across the Eurozone periphery were eased. Markets suffered a steep sell-off in the morning session after this weekend's controversial b
Read moreBroker 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
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