Broker tips: Barclays, Travis Perkins, Intertek, Kingfisher, Consumer staples
3rd Mar 2015 11:51
A handful of brokerages continue to rate Barclays stock as 'buy' despite Tuesday's results from the bank that contain a huge increase in provisions to cover the costs of legal fees relating to scandals. Despite concerns in the market that rising litigation costs could dent the group's profitability
Read moreB&Q store closures possible, but Credit Suisse sees upside at Kingfisher
3rd Mar 2015 10:47
A potential restructuring of B&Q's property could "surprise on the upside" for owner Kingfisher, according to Credit Suisse which lifted its target price for the DIY group from 360p to 400p. Ahead of Kingfisher's annual results on 31 March, the bank said the major news will be on what new chief exec
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: IAG soars on higher operating earnings, Intu properties drops on lower rents
27th Feb 2015 14:56
British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines flew to the top of the risers after reporting operating earnings 80.5% higher at £1.4bn for 2014, thanks partly to cheaper fuel, while its Iberia division swung from a loss to a profit. Chief executive Willie Walsh said the Spanish unit's "tu
Read moreLondon midday: Eurozone data and Greek optimism push UK stocks higher
20th Feb 2015 11:43
UK stocks neared an all-time high on Friday morning after upbeat data on the Eurozone economy, as investors showed optimism ahead of an emergency meeting about Greek debt. Markets mostly shrugged off weak economic data from the UK, where retail sales fell more than expected in January. London's FTS
Read moreLondon open: Standard Life, energy stocks support markets ahead of Greek meeting
20th Feb 2015 08:42
UK stocks edged higher on Friday morning on the back of well-received results from Standard Life and gains in the oil sector as investors awaited a pivotal meeting about Greek debt later on. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.06% at 6,892.72 early on. The index has remained broadly flat over the last three
Read moreLondon open: Stocks unchanged ahead of Eurozone CPI, US GDP
30th Jan 2015 08:27
UK stocks opened more or less flat on Friday as investors treaded cautiously ahead of some key economic data, including consumer price figures in the Eurozone and growth estimates in the States. London's FTSE 100 was down just 0.04% at 6,808 early on. The release of the Eurozone consumer-price inde
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Gold miners soar on UBS recommendation, Experian rises
15th Jan 2015 14:57
Gold mining stocks were performing well after UBS said they are "well-placed to benefit from FX and oil weakness" compared with their industrial metal peers. Precious-metal producers Randgold Resources and Fresnillo were the best performers. Third-quarter organic revenue was flat at informatio
Read moreLondon close: Stocks end choppy session firmly lower as data disappoints
6th Jan 2015 17:19
It was a volatile day for the UK equity market with stocks swinging between losses and gains for most of the session, with a late sell-off sending the FTSE 100 firmly in the red by the close. Service-sector activity data from across the globe largely came in below expectations with weak figures from
Read moreLondon close: UK equities rise to two-week high despite weak commodity stocks
22nd Dec 2014 16:26
Weakness in the resource sectors limited gains in London on Monday, though equity markets still managed to register their fifth straight day of gains as investors readied themselves for the Christmas break. The FTSE 100 finished 0.5% higher at 6,577, but pulled back after reaching a high of 6,620.95
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher and Centrica boosted by disposals as miners dip
22nd Dec 2014 14:32
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher edged higher after agreeing to sell a controlling 70% stake in its B&Q China business to Wumei Holdings for £140m. "I am delighted to have found a strong retail partner who will help us to release the financial value of our business in China," said new boss Véron
Read moreLondon midday: Markets quiet ahead of Christmas but stocks extend gains
22nd Dec 2014 11:35
UK stocks were set to hit a two-week high on Monday as the 'Santa Rally' continued into its fifth straight day, with energy shares providing a boost on a continued rebound in crude prices. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.8% at 6,597 by around midday. It has not closed above this mark since 8 December. "
Read moreLondon open: Late Santa Rally puts UK stocks on track for two-week high
22nd Dec 2014 08:48
UK stocks rose for the fifth straight session on Monday and were set to hit a two-week high with the so-called 'Santa Rally' finally taking hold ahead of a shortened trading week. London's FTSE 100 was trading 0.8% higher at 6,598 in early deals. It has not closed above this mark since 8 December.
Read moreLondon pre-open: Positive start expected to shortened Christmas week
22nd Dec 2014 07:28
UK stocks are set to jump strongly when markets open on Monday morning, extending their recent winning streak into a fifth straight day ahead of a shortened trading week. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 50 points higher than Friday's close of 6,545.27. The index surged 4% over the past
Read moreKingfisher to sell 70% controlling stake in B&Q China
22nd Dec 2014 07:02
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher has agreed to sell a controlling 70% stake in its B&Q China business to Wumei Holdings for £140m. The transaction, which is still subject to approval from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, should be finalised in the first six months of 2015, the group said, addin
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: BP, Sainsbury, Premier Foods
7th Dec 2014 17:59
BP will shed middle managers and put projects on hold as it deals with the falling price of oil, the Sunday Times reported. Finance Director Brian Gilvary told the paper headcounts were falling across all operations and that it would cut the estimated price of oil it uses for budgeting. Gilvary said
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