London pre-open: Flat start expected after China manufacturing data
24th Jul 2013 07:42
Markets are expected to open broadly flat on Wednesday with the mood likely to be cautious after an unexpected fall in Chinese manufacturing activity. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open unchanged from yesterday's close of 6,611. Sentiment over China had been lifted yesterday after the co
Read moreB&Q owner Kingfisher sees sales pick up in second quarter
24th Jul 2013 07:19
Kingfisher, the DIY retail group behind B&Q and Screwfix, said it is on track to hit expectations for the first half after a pick-up in activity in the second quarter. The company had seen a sharp 4.2% fall in like-for-like (LFL) sales in the first quarter due to the "unfavourable cold weather" thr
Read moreThursday preview: Bernanke addresses Senate Banking Committee
17th Jul 2013 13:39
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will on Thursday testify in front of the Senate Banking Committee, a day after addressing the House Financial Services Committee. His monetary policy report to the US Congress this week is likely to be his last as he is expected to step down in January. In hi
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slip despite mining strength
16th Jul 2013 16:55
Strong gains in the mining sector weren't enough to lift the FTSE 100 on Tuesday as a number of upcoming 'risk events' prompted investors to pause for breath following a decent performance over recent weeks. The FTSE 100 finished down 30 points at 6,556, a fall of 0.45% on the day. London's benchma
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners track metal prices higher
16th Jul 2013 14:33
Mining stocks were the best performers on Tuesday afternoon, as metals prices rose on the back of a weaker dollar. Precious metal producers Fresnillo and Randgold were among the highest risers as gold and silver futures advanced. Diversified mining group Rio Tinto was also making gains after being
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks flat as markets digest mixed data
16th Jul 2013 11:46
The UK stock market was flat on Tuesday morning, pausing for breath after hitting highs not seen in seven weeks, as investors reacted to a barrage of mixed economic data. The UK annual consumer price index (CPI) hit a 14-month high of 2.9% in June, up from 2.7% in May. While this came in slightly b
Read moreBroker tips: Retailers, Babcock, Rio Tinto
16th Jul 2013 11:45
Nomura has lifted its view on the UK retail sector from 'neutral' to 'bullish', even though the category has outperformed the wider market so far this year. Nomura has raised its recommendation for electrical retailer Dixons from 'neutral' to 'buy', lifting its target price from 31p to 60p, saying
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura turns bullish on UK retailers
16th Jul 2013 09:25
Nomura has lifted its view on the UK retail sector from 'neutral' to 'bullish', even though the category has outperformed the wider market so far this year. The broker said that lower taxes and high social security - "hardly a recipe for confident spending" - have propped up disposable income over
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat ahead of economic data
16th Jul 2013 08:24
The FTSE 100 opened flat on Tuesday morning, holding on to a near a seven-week high, as investors paused for breath ahead a barrage of economic indicators due out during the session. London's benchmark index had closed at 6,586 on Monday, its highest closing level since May 30th when it reached 6,6
Read moreBroker tips: Tesco, Kingfisher, AG Barr
15th Jul 2013 11:44
The pricing gap between Tesco and rival supermarket Asda was the highest in two years in June, according to Morgan Stanley. The latest results of the broker's AlphaWise UK Food Retail Price Tracker show that its sample basket was 5.2% less expensive at Asda than at Tesco last month. Morgan Stanley
Read moreBroker snap: Jefferies expects hot weather to drive Q2 trading at Kingfisher
15th Jul 2013 09:51
More seasonal weather and a soft comparison base are expected to boost second-quarter sales and margins at DIY retailer Kingfisher, according to Jefferies which reiterated its 'buy' rating and 400p target price for the stock. Jefferies expects sales growth of around 6.0% in the second quarter. Comp
Read moreBarclays raises forecasts for UK growth in 2013 and 2014
9th Jul 2013 12:26
Economists at Barclays Research on Monday issued a note in which they lifted their forecasts for economic growth in the UK as the animal spirits of consumers and businesses improve, prompting increased household consumption and investment, respectively. The above is reflected in recent readings f
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
19th Jun 2013 08:27
Aggreko: UBS cuts target price from 1975p to 1850p downgrading from buy to neutral. JP Morgan revises target price from 1870p to 1800p and retains a neutral rating. Alliance Pharma: Investec shifts target price from 35.20p to 35.80p, while downgrading from add to hold. Associated British Food: UBS
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
11th Jun 2013 07:22
AG Barr: Investec cuts target price from 591p to 581p, while upgrading from add to buy. Canaccord Genuity upgrades to buy with its target price at 570p. Aquarius Platinum: Nomura reduces target price from 90p to 65p, but keeps its buy recommendation. AstraZeneca: Berenberg takes target price from
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 down one per cent as volatility continues
31st May 2013 11:26
The volatile trade seen over the past week continued on Friday with investors turning nervous ahead of another raft of economic indicators from the US later on. "European markets have taken a leg lower this morning as traders look to scale back risk heading into the month's end, with the central ba
Read more