Informa on course
15th Dec 2009 07:09
Lloyd List publisher and exhibitions group Informa is still on track to hit forecasts this year. In a very brief statement, the group, which ended its interested in buying German publisher Springer earlier this month, said that further to the trading statement released on 17 November, it continues
Read moreTuesday preview: Carpetright, Informa, Go-Ahead
14th Dec 2009 16:30
KBC Peel Hunt notes that Carpetright has been benefiting from the demise of fellow carpet retailer Allied Carpets and thinks it is in a strong position to 'deliver record UK sales this year.' The company's interim results should offer some clues as to whether this will be achieved. Citigroup is not
Read moreLondon close: Miners push Footsie higher
2nd Dec 2009 17:09
Despite being weighed down by a number of ex-dividend stocks, Footsie finished the day in positive territory, with gains on miners outweighing losses on banks. With metals prices hardening, miners were in demand. Lonmin was the best performer after being raised to 'buy' by Investec, which also upgr
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie in the blue
2nd Dec 2009 14:52
Though banks are still looking sickly, Footsie has struggled into positive territory on the back of a strong mining sector. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) remains the biggest faller among blue-chips, with lingering concerns about its exposure to Dubai World's debt now overshadowed by with newspaper r
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Aquarius leads as platinum shines
2nd Dec 2009 11:03
Aquarius Platinum is the best performer as prices for the precious metal climbed to 15-month highs. Things are going swimmingly for Brewin Dolphin too after the stockbroker and fund manager saw profits slide in the year to September 27, but said current trading is satisfactory, leaving it confident
Read moreInforma calls off Springer talks
1st Dec 2009 16:25
Lloyds List publisher Informa has scrapped merger talks with German publisher Springer. "Whilst there is clear strategic logic in combining Springer and Informa, the board has concluded after detailed consideration that the current environment is not conducive to making such a significant acquisiti
Read moreBroker tips: Carphone Warehouse, Thomas Cook, Informa
30th Nov 2009 13:27
Carphone Warehouse pleased the market with better than expected interims last week but Nomura Securities was irked that the company did not provide an update to guidance on expected savings from its Tiscali purchase. The broker is tipping that the company will upgrade by one-third current guideline
Read moreBroker snap: Uncertain times for Informa
30th Nov 2009 13:17
Uncertainty seems to be the watchword at business publisher Informa which, as well as being involved in talks to buy German publisher Springer, also has sizeable interests in Dubai. 'Two of its [Informa's} bigger shows, Arab Health and City Scape, are run out of Dubai. In aggregate, Regional Events
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Water firms gush higher
26th Nov 2009 12:15
Water group Northumbrian gushes higher after Ofwat said it can raise annual bills by £17 to £331 over the next five years, having previously indicated it would only allow a £3 rise. Peer Pennon is also higher. Sticking with liquids, shares in Irn-Bru maker Barr and Tango firm Britvic are fizzing a
Read moreBroker tips: LSE, Atkins, Informa
25th Nov 2009 13:29
The London Stock Exchange is feeling the hot breath of competition down its neck and broker Merrill Lynch thinks the exchange is likely to lose more market share before new technology developments arrive to halt the decline. The broker thinks the shares look 'relatively fully valued' and has retain
Read moreBroker snap: Uncertainty prompts Informa downgrade
25th Nov 2009 13:28
Nomura Securities has cooled on Lloyd's List publisher Informa after the business information firm confirmed it is in bid discussions with the shareholders of Springer Science & Business Media. 'If the €400m (£365m) price for the equity suggested by the press (Financial Times, 24 November 2009) is
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Optimistic Atkins leads the way
25th Nov 2009 11:16
Design and engineering consultancy group WS Atkins is higher after it reported a 13% drop in first half profit but said it is well placed to make good progress in the second half of the year. Shares in Informa have recovered after falling yesterday when the publishing group said it was is in discus
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 closes 32 points lower
24th Nov 2009 16:48
London ended the day in the red as the FTSE 100 lost its earlier gains after Wall Street opened sharply lower. London did not sustain a short-lived rally in the late afternoon. The market seemed to initially ignore Bank of England governor Mervyn King's cautious comments to the House of Commons Tr
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares still drifting
24th Nov 2009 14:31
London continues to lack direction, with Bank of England governor Mervyn King's comments to the House of Commons Treasury select committee on the state of the economy having more of an effect on sterling than on share prices. With sterling dipping after King's comments, package holiday firms Thomas
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Homeserve builds gains
24th Nov 2009 13:13
Mid-cap stocks have been sent in both by directions by company updates. Home maintenance specialist Homeserve is on track for a year of "strong growth" as its core business did well at the half way stage and good levels of new policy sales and high levels of renewals continued into the second half.
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