Friday broker round-up UPDATE
6th Sep 2013 08:01
Antofagasta: Canaccord Genuity lowers target price from 1035p to 1020p, while leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Ashmore Group: Canaccord Genuity downgrades from buy to hold with a target price of 380p. Associated British Foods: Societe Generale upgrades to hold with a target price of 1900p
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 at three-week high after policy meetings
5th Sep 2013 17:03
A host of central-bank policy meetings, a dovish tone from Mario Draghi and the continued improvement in US economic data helped lift stocks higher on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 closing at levels not seen in three weeks. London's benchmark index ended the day up 57.7 points at 6,532.44, its highes
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: M&S leaps after HSBC upgrade
5th Sep 2013 15:20
High Street department store Marks & Spencer surged today after HSBC upgraded the stock from 'neutral' to 'overweight', saying it is the most operationally geared among its peers to play on the UK consumer recovery. Hotels group IHG was also a high riser after UBS raised its rating from 'neutral to
Read moreLondon close: Stocks higher after late rally ahead of risk events
4th Sep 2013 16:37
The FTSE 100 managed to rally in afternoon trade on Wednesday to finish in positive territory after a strong start on Wall Street, though gains were only modest ahead of several key 'risk events' which have the potential to spark market volatility. It is set to be a busy end to the week with centra
Read moreAirlines hit by Ryanair profit warning, but IAG rallies on strong August traffic
4th Sep 2013 15:30
Stocks in the airline sector were hit hard by a trading update from Ryanair on Wednesday after a gloomy outlook from Europe's largest budget airline prompted investors to take profits following a strong performance by equities so far this year. International Airlines Group (IAG) however managed to
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Ryanair profit warning drags fellow aviation stocks lower
4th Sep 2013 14:18
Shares in aviation companies easyJet and IAG were all heading south after Ryanair issued a warning on annual profits after its shares plunged in response. Europe's biggest low-cost air carrier said in a trading update it expected full-year net profit to be near the bottom of its earlier guidance of
Read moreLondon midday: Markets cautious ahead of risk events, Syria action
4th Sep 2013 11:26
Traders adopted a cautious approach on Wednesday morning with UK stocks registering losses in morning trade ahead of a number of 'risk events' later in the week which have the potential to spark market volatility. Fears about impending US military action in Syria also hit investor sentiment today a
Read moreLondon open: Potential strike on Syria worries investors early on
4th Sep 2013 08:32
Stocks declined on Wednesday morning on concerns over an imminent Western military intervention in Syria, with investors also choosing to scale back positions ahead of a number of 'risk events' later on in the week. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee last night gave the green light on a US atta
Read moreLondon close: Stocks jump on US data as Syria concerns recede
29th Aug 2013 17:03
Markets finished strongly on Thursday, rebounding after recent falls as concerns over an impending Western intervention in Syria eased slightly and US growth estimates were revised higher. One of London's largest constituents, Vodafone, was providing a lift on the FTSE 100 today on hopes that it ca
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise, Vodafone surges on Verizon talks
29th Aug 2013 11:41
The FTSE 100 was registering decent gains on Thursday morning as markets rebounded from recent falls, helped by M&A activity surrounding one of the index's largest constituents, Vodafone, as well as some well-received results from blue chips Melrose and WPP. Markets have been hit this week by conce
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rebound after recent falls, Vodafone jumps
29th Aug 2013 08:36
Strong gains from Vodafone, WPP and Melrose gave markets in London a boost this morning, as stocks rebounded after some recent falls. Markets have been under pressure this week on concerns about a potential Western military intervention in Syria in response to last week's alleged chemical weapons a
Read moreLondon close: Markets finish lower despite late rally
28th Aug 2013 17:05
Markets rallied in afternoon trade on Wednesday, helped by dovish remarks from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney and a decent start on Wall Street, but stocks still finished in the red as escalating concerns about Syria continued to dampen sentiment. The FTSE 100 finished down 10.91 points
Read moreSector movers: Surging crude prices fuel gains for oil stocks
28th Aug 2013 14:52
Rising crude prices gave oil producers a boost on Wednesday as escalating tensions in Syria continue to fuel concerns over supplies in the Middle East. These fears have been heightened in recent days due to a possible US military intervention in Syria following last week's alleged chemical weapons
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall as oil rises on Syria turmoil
28th Aug 2013 11:27
Stock markets were once again hit by concerns over rising tensions between Syria and the West on Wednesday morning, as surging oil prices look to pose a threat to global economic growth. West Texas crude futures were trading at a two-year high of $112.24 a barrel this morning while Brent crude jump
Read moreLondon close: Syrian crisis hits stocks despite upbeat economic data
27th Aug 2013 16:30
Data showing improving confidence in Germany and the States wasn't enough to lift markets on Tuesday as investor sentiment was rattled by escalating tensions between Syria and the West. Business confidence in Germany improved across the board in August as the Eurozone's largest economy continues to
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