London close: Rising travel and retail stocks offset losses from energy sector
28th Nov 2014 16:26
A slight recovery in oil prices wasn't enough to ease the pressure on the energy sector on Friday, though stocks in London erased losses by the end of trade as shares in the travel and retail sectors jumped. "Clearly firms with a focus on consumer spending will be indirect beneficiaries of increase
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Black Friday boosts retail, oil prices hit producers
28th Nov 2014 15:23
Retailers including Kingfisher and Sports Direct were performing well on hopes that Black Friday sales will be strong. Investors were also expecting the drop in oil prices to give consumer spending a boost, as falling petrol prices freed up disposable income. Also higher were the share prices of com
Read moreLondon midday: Crude stabilises but oil stocks continue to slide
28th Nov 2014 11:43
The UK stock market dropped on Friday as shares in the energy sector dropped after the recent slump in crude on concerns about a global oversupply of oil. Oil producers and energy services stocks were extending losses made the previous session with crude prices set to register their steepest weekly
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks finish flat as retailers fall, data comes in mixed
25th Nov 2014 16:33
London's FTSE 100 ended Tuesday's session more or less where it started with stocks in the retail sector limiting gains while investors digested a string of important economic data. A disappointing third-quarter update from Kingfisher saw shares in the DIY retailer slump, while the supermarket secto
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher slides after French sales drag
25th Nov 2014 15:26
Shares in Kingfisher declined after the B&Q and Screwfix owner saw like-for-like (LFL) sales fall in the third quarter as decent growth in the UK and Ireland was offset by falling sales in its largest market, France. LFL sales declined 0.9%, compared with 1.8% growth in the first half. The supermark
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks rise but gains limited by Kingfisher, resource stocks
25th Nov 2014 11:31
UK stocks edged higher on Tuesday, though gains were being limited by falls in the heavyweight resources sector and a drop in the share price of DIY retailer Kingfisher. The FTSE 100 trading 0.1% higher at 6,737 by midday, though was underperforming stocks across Europe with the STOXX Europe 600 ind
Read moreConsensus view on Kingfisher remains at 'hold', says Hargreaves Lansdown
25th Nov 2014 10:46
An "uninspiring" trading update from DIY retailer Kingfisher on Tuesday is unlikely to change analysts from sitting on the fence about the stock, according Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers. Kingfisher's share price had fallen 4.1% by 11:16 after the company reported group sales of £2.82bn in the 13
Read moreLondon open: Oil and mining stocks limit gains on FTSE
25th Nov 2014 08:22
Falling oil and mining stocks and a poorly-received update from Kingfisher were limiting gains on the FTSE 100 on Tuesday morning, as investors awaited a wave of global economic data. London's benchmark index was trading just 0.1% higher at 6,737 within the opening hour. The Footsie had dropped 0.3
Read moreLondon pre-open: Little change expected on FTSE
25th Nov 2014 07:26
UK stocks are set for only modest gains early on, with City sources predicting the FTSE 100 will open around three points higher than yesterday's close of 6,729.79. "A cautious yet positive start to the day is expected for the European markets today, following the establishment of record highs in th
Read moreB&Q owner Kingfisher sees Q3 sales drop on weak French market
25th Nov 2014 07:11
Like-for-like (LFL) trends worsened in the third quarter at B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher as decent growth in the UK and Ireland was offset by falling sales in its largest market, France. The company, which is the largest DIY retailer in Europe and third-largest in the world, reported group sale
Read moreTuesday preview: US economic data in focus with GDP and consumer confidence
24th Nov 2014 15:45
The market will on Tuesday have its eye on US data, including gross domestic product (GDP) and consumer confidence, to monitor the health of the world's biggest economy. US GDP is forecast to rise by an annualised 3.3% in the third quarter, compared to 3.5% previously. The index for US consumer con
Read moreKingfisher says new chief will start next month
20th Nov 2014 13:06
Kingfisher's new chief executive is to take up her position next month, the owner of B&Q and Castorama said on Thursday. The company confirmed that Véronique Laury, who is currently chief executive of its French DIY chain Castorama, will replace Ian Cheshire as chief executive on 8 December. Cheshi
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
6th Nov 2014 10:01
Amec: UBS cuts target price from 1185p to 1150p, while its buy recommendation remains unchanged. Afren: Liberum Capital cuts target price from 121p to 95p and stays with its hold recommendation. Antofagasta: Canaccord cuts target price from 790p to 760p and reiterates a hold recommendation. Associ
Read moreLondon close: Weak Eurozone manufacturing data drag shares lower
3rd Nov 2014 15:24
Weak European manufacturing data dragged London shares lower on Monday despite a rise in the sector's fortunes in the UK. The Eurozone Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for October fell to 50.6 from 50.7 previously with both Germany and Italy declining while France improved sligh
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd Oct 2014 09:54
Amino Technologies: N+1 Singer moves target price from 93p to 107p upgrading to buy. Anglo American: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1300p to 1200p retaining its sell recommendation. ARM Holdings: UBS moves target price from 970p to 980p upgrading from neutral to buy. Deutsche Bank cuts t
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