London close: Footsie slips after surprise US contraction
30th Jan 2013 16:57
After a decent start, London's FTSE 100 index slipped into the red in the afternoon session, as disappointing gross domestic product (GDP) figures from the US dampened risk appetite. Mining stocks bore the brunt of the selling today, pulling the resource-heavy Footsie down from the four-and-a-half-
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: WPP rises on upgrade
30th Jan 2013 15:32
Leading the upside was advertising and media firm WPP after Jefferies upgraded its rating for the stock from hold to buy. The broker said that an analysis WPP's largest clients and their 2013 ad budget 'looks encouraging' and 'with expectations low, we see upside risk'. Meanwhile, heavyweight fina
Read moreLondon midday: Markets nervous ahead of US GDP, FOMC
30th Jan 2013 11:39
Strong gains for financial stocks were being outweighed by heavy losses in the resources sector in London, with markets trading mixed ahead of a busy day in the US later on. "European markets are looking exhausted, broadly flat as traders continue to refrain from building equity positions after the
Read moreLondon open: Stocks flat ahead of a busy day
30th Jan 2013 08:30
Markets opened flat on Wednesday morning ahead a busy day on the economic calendar with all eyes focusing on growth data and a policy decision in the US later on. The world's biggest economy is expected to have grown at an annualised rate of 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to prelimin
Read moreVolumes at Johnson Matthey hit by Amplats shake-up
30th Jan 2013 07:31
Speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey reported that both sales and profits fell in the third quarter, while the outlook for the rest of the year remains mixed. "In a difficult market environment during the quarter, trading across the group was challenging," the firm said in a statement coverin
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
25th Jan 2013 07:03
Aberdeen Asset Management: Goldman Sachs upgrades to buy with its target price at 360p. APR Energy: JP Morgan lowers target price from 1005p to 950p, while its overweight rating is left unchanged. Brooks Macdonald Group: Numis ups target price from 1400p to 1470p and retains a hold recommendation.
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd Jan 2013 07:06
Afren: Liberum Capital shifts target price from 120p to 123p staying with its hold recommendation. ASOS: Exane BNP increases target price from 3000p to 3100p and retains an outperform rating. BP: RBC downgrades to sector perform from outperform. Brammer: Peel Hunt moves target price from 300p to
Read moreLondon midday: Burberry, platinum stocks provide a lift
15th Jan 2013 11:26
- Burberry impresses with Q3; ARM hit with downgrades - Platinum stocks, prices rise after Amplats shake-up - US debt ceiling concerns return Strong gains for Burberry and platinum stocks helped the FTSE 100 push into positive territory by the midday mark, although gains were limited by resurfacing
Read morePlatinum stocks surge after Amplats shake-up
15th Jan 2013 10:19
Shares in speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey raced ahead on Tuesday morning following the announcement by Amplats that it is to restructure its assets and embark on a cost-cutting programme. Johnson Matthey, the world leader in platinum distribution and the sole marketing agent for Anglo Am
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
15th Jan 2013 07:17
African Barrick Gold: Investec lowers its target price from 526p to 405p, while upgrading from hold to buy. ARM Holdings: Morgan Stanley raises its target price from 725p to 911p, while downgrading to equal-weight. Investec ups target price from 800p to 900p and downgrades from buy to hold. Aurum
Read moreSector movers: Chemicals stocks make gains
7th Dec 2012 15:55
Chemicals stocks were among the best performers on Friday afternoon with AZ Electronic Materials continuing its impressive year-to-date rise after announcing the completion of refinancing. The company, which specialises chemicals and materials used in circuits, devices, flat panel displays, LEDs an
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Shire leads defensive stocks higher
4th Dec 2012 15:34
Shire was leading the defensive stocks after investors exercised caution as budget uncertainty in the US continues to weigh on sentiment. British Gas owner Centrica rose after partner EDF Energy announced that it has extended the life of two UK power stations by seven years. Tesco was on investo
Read moreLondon close: Stocks end the week in a cautious mood
30th Nov 2012 16:35
- Market pares gains by the close - Bundestag approves Greek aid - Eurozone jobless rate and US consumer spending disappoint UK stocks finished broadly flat on Friday, paring gains by the close of trade as markets headed into the weekend in a cautious mood on the back of uncertainty surrounding the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Broker upgrades lift Johnson Matthey and Croda
30th Nov 2012 13:25
Blue-chip constituents Johnson Matthey, Croda, Pennon and Intertek were performing well on Friday afternoon following a number of upbeat broker comments. Chemical peers Johnson Matthey and Croda International were lifted higher after Credit Suisse upgraded the companies from 'neutral' to 'outperfor
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
30th Nov 2012 07:24
Aggreko: Berenberg initiates with a target price of 2010p and a hold recommendation. APR Energy: Berenberg starts with a target price of 610p and a sell recommendation. Babcock International Group: Berenberg initiates with a target price of 1180p and a buy recommendation. Barclays: UBS raises tar
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