INTERVIEW - Wetherspoon boss sees economic pick-up but urges tax cuts
7th May 2014 13:27
The flamboyant Chairman of JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, says the UK economy is frothing up despite a slowdown in the pub group's sales in the last few weeks. Martin, pictured second from left, told ShareCast: "Most chief executives who comment on the economy don't know what they're talking about, so
Read moreShore Capital says Wetherspoon might be a buying opportunity
7th May 2014 11:03
Broker Shore Capital may downgrade profit forecasts for pub group JD Wetherspoon, but said any share weakness could be a buying opportunity. Wetherspoon on Wednesday reported a good February and March, but said sales slowed in the last few weeks. Shore, which has a 'hold' recommendation on the sha
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
7th May 2014 08:35
Balfour Beatty: Jefferies reduces target price from 403p to 233p downgrading to hold. Deutsche Bank cuts target price from 280p to 250p and leaves its hold recommendation unchanged. Numis reduces target price to 260p and retains an add rating. Barclays: Deutsche Bank lowers target price from 320p t
Read moreWetherspoon voices caution on Q4 after sales slowdown
7th May 2014 07:44
Pub group JD Wetherspoon voiced uncertainty about fourth quarter trading after sales slowed in the last few weeks. Wetherspoon said it had a good February and March, but like-for-like sales in April rose less than a year ago and Easter was below last year. Like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to Ap
Read moreBudget 2014: Picture mixed for leisure sector - UPDATE
19th Mar 2014 13:27
Shares in British bookmakers Ladbrokes and William Hill tumbled after the government's new Budget included an increase to 25 per cent in duty on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). Chancellor George Osborne said that he would lift the rate on Machine Games Duty on betting content from 20% to 25%,
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Spirent Comms lifted by reports of new technology
14th Mar 2014 15:46
Spirent Communications was higher on reports it has launched a new piece of technology which is used to address the ultra-high bandwidth requirements of modern communication networks. Rajesh Rajamani, Market Segment Leader, was quoted as saying: "Spirent continues to advance the boundaries of next
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to continue lower ahead of Crimea referendum
14th Mar 2014 07:24
- US and Asia stocks sink overnight - Concerns about Ukraine, Russia - BP signs deal with US Environmental Protection Agency UK stocks face a negative start to today's session, tracking declines seen in both Asia and the US overnight as concerns about the situation in Ukraine mount. City sources
Read moreWetherspoon's first-half profit and revenue rise
14th Mar 2014 07:06
- Pre-tax profit up 8.5 per cent - Like-for-like sales climb 5.2 per cent - Dividend in line with 2013 Pub and bar operator Wetherspoon reported an 8.5 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to 37.8m pounds in the first half on the back of an increase in sales. Like-for-like sales climbed 5.2%, with tot
Read moreFriday preview: Wetherspoon releases interims
13th Mar 2014 14:44
Wetherspoon will release its first half interim results which are expected by analysts to show an increase in profit. Numis predicts the pub and food operator will post pre-tax profits, before exceptional items, of £37m, up from £34.8m a year earlier. In January, the company said revenues from pu
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
7th Feb 2014 09:30
Acal: N+1 Singer initiates with a target price of 380p and a buy recommendation. AstraZeneca: Societe Generale ups target price from 3030p to 3126p, but still recommends selling. Barratt Developments: Deutsche Bank raises target price from 394p to 480p keeping a buy recommendation. Beazley: Canac
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
6th Feb 2014 09:23
ARM Holdings: HSBC reduces target price from 1120p to 1080p and stays with its overweight rating. Avon Rubber: WH Ireland raises target price from 650p to 765p and stays with its buy recommendation. Balfour Beatty: Liberum Capital ups target price from 300p to 350p retaining its buy recommendation
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
5th Feb 2014 09:04
Afren: Westhouse Securities ups target price from 165p to 180p retaining a buy recommendation. Amlin: Nomura lowers target price from 467p to 442p maintaining a neutral rating. ARM Holdings: Jefferies reduces target price from 1300p to 1140p, while keeping a buy recommendation. Deutsche Bank cuts
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
27th Jan 2014 09:30
Aberdeen Asset Management: Espirito Santo cuts target price from 573p to 514p and keeps a buy recommendation. Morgan Stanley reduces target price from 492p to 393p and stays with its equal-weight rating. Amino Technologies: N+1 Singer shifts target price from 89p to 93p and reiterates a hold recomm
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: WH Smith climbs on strong divisional result
22nd Jan 2014 16:00
Books and stationery retailer WH Smith was higher after reporting a smaller-than-expected decline in underlying sales from its Travel division. UK pub operator JD Wetherspoon rose after a strong pick-up in like-for-like revenue growth in the second quarter covering the key Christmas period. Proper
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks slip on rate speculation as UK unemployment declines
22nd Jan 2014 11:30
- Markets pull back sharply after UK data - Fall in unemployment sparks rate speculation - Sage rises after confident update - RBS hit by UBS downgrade to 'sell' techMARK 2,852.20 +0.20% FTSE 100 6,825.74 -0.12% FTSE 250 16,130.75 -0.08% UK markets had erased gains by Wednesday lunchtime as concer
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