Broker snap: Pearson's peers offer better value
26th Oct 2009 13:14
Panmure Gordon has revised its earnings forecasts for publishing group Pearson on the back of last week's trading statement but continues to see more attractive stocks elsewhere in the sector. Following FT-publisher Pearson's 9-months results Panmure Gordon has upgraded its earnings per share forec
Read moreBroker tips: RBS, Petrofac, Euromoney
25th Sep 2009 12:57
The share price of part-nationalised bank Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has recovered from just above 35p in mid-July to more than 50p, a rally that continues to perplex Goldman Sachs. The US investment bank expects RBS to remain loss-making in the short term, while the threat of another cash call c
Read moreBroker snap: Euromoney lifts profit guidance
25th Sep 2009 12:54
The market has given a big thumbs-up to the trading statement by Euromoney in which the business publisher raised profit guidance for the current year. The group said adjusted pre-tax profit will be no less than £57m for the year, down on last year's £67.3m but ahead of expectations. Singer Capital
Read moreInforma profits slump as exhibitions suffer
28th Jul 2009 16:44
Business publisher Informa posted a sharp fall in profits as tough conditions at the group's events division offset resilience in the publishing arm. Revenues in the six months to June 30 climbed to £636.3m from £627.6m, but pre-tax profits slumped to £32.2m from £60m. While exhibition revenues cl
Read moreLondon close: Footsie ends winning streak
28th Jul 2009 16:33
Footsie looked set to continue its 11-day winning streak but soon started a steady downward slide that saw it close sharply in the red. Software giant Sage led Footsie higher in early dealings, staging a relief rally on results that were in line with market expectations though it warned that market
Read moreComment: FT shows the way in online charging
27th Jul 2009 14:46
Judging by Financial Times publisher Pearson's latest update, people are yet to tire of keeping up with the twists and turns of the credit crunch. In the first half of 2009, revenues declined by 13% at the company's FT publishing division due to the advertising slump, but the pink paper's readershi
Read moreSector movers: Upbeat Pearson lifts media stocks
27th Jul 2009 13:31
Media stocks are having a good day after publisher Pearson upped its interim dividend following a strong performance from its textbook division. Pre-tax profits in the half year to June rose by 13% to £62m on sales of £2.4bn, up 22%. On an underlying basis, profits rose by 32% to £111m. The interim
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: National Express continues advance
27th Jul 2009 13:30
Shares in National Express raced ahead after it emerged fellow bus and train group Stagecoach is in exclusive discussions with the bidder for National Express to acquire some of its businesses if the offer goes through. Shares in business publisher Informa are lower ahead of the company's 2009 resu
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Informa, Serco, Premier Foods
30th Jun 2009 06:42
FTSE 250-listed Informa has a solid business, whose publications tend to be in niche, subscription-based titles that do not suffer as badly as its more commercial counterparts in a downturn. Its Academic and Professional & Commercial divisions are still growing, and management has also kept a tigh
Read moreLondon close: Late gains lift Footsie
29th Jun 2009 16:50
After a rather sluggish start to the day, Footsie ended with chunky gains, helped by buoyancy on Wall Street. Lloyds Banking topped the list of risers after Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the shares from "neutral" to "buy" and added them to its "conviction buy" list. Goldman Sachs has also lif
Read moreLondon afternoon: Financials spearhead the advance
29th Jun 2009 14:21
Banks and insurers lead the way as London continues its steady advance. Lloyds Banking tops the list of risers after Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the shares from "neutral" to "buy" and added them to its "Conviction Buy" list. Goldman Sachs has also lifted its target price from 61p to 107p, af
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds leads banks higher
29th Jun 2009 11:51
Risers outnumber fallers by around three to one among Footsie constituents, as the index pushes ahead despite weakness among miners. Lloyds Banking tops the list of risers after Goldman Sachs raised its rating on the shares from "neutral" to "buy" and added them to its "Conviction Buy" list. Goldm
Read moreLondon open: Footsie makes steady start
29th Jun 2009 08:32
London's blue chips have made a steady start with banks pushing on and insurers making gains. Lloyds and Barclays are both ahead with the new government paper on regulation of the sector likely soon and expected to see a defeat for the ideas of Bank of England governor Mervyn King. Outsource gian
Read moreLondon pre-open: Shares to drop
29th Jun 2009 07:38
London's blue chips are expected to open slightly lower with traders forecasting Footsie to drop around 15 points early on. Hovis to Branston Pickle maker Premier Foods's trading this year has continued on track, with sales of bread especially described as excellent. The heavily indebted group, wh
Read moreInforma sees lower revenues at events & training arm
29th Jun 2009 07:13
Informa warned that half-year organic revenues at its Events and Training unit will be 'considerably' lower as the group continued to reduce volume to protect profitability in the face of weak demand. Despite this, the high variable cost base will mean that the impact on adjusted operating profit
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