FTSE 100 movers: Anglo American, utility stocks surge
23rd Apr 2015 13:30
Anglo American, owner of jeweler De Beers, surged on Thursday as the mining giant cut its forecast for annual diamond production in order to avoid overproduction in the weaker diamond market. United Utilities, SSE and Centrica was making gains as investors sought refuge in defensive utility stocks.
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
24th Mar 2015 14:42
Legal&General: Canaccord Genuity reiterates hold and raises target to 290p from 240p. Standard Chartered: JP Morgan Cazenove reiterates overweight and lifts target to 1,250p from 1,050p. Vesuvius: Credit Suisse reiterates underperform and hikes target 460p from 405p. Marks&Spencer: Investec reit
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
17th Mar 2015 11:20
Aviva: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform and 610p target price. Legal&General: JP Morgan Cazenove ups target to 220p from 212p and reiterates underweight. Glencore: Investec reiterates buy and takes target to 328p from 306p. John Wood Group: Canaccord Genuity reiterates hold and lowers target to
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
10th Mar 2015 11:53
Pearson: Barclays reiterates equal-weight recommendation and keeps target at 1,405p. UBM: Westhouse Securities takes target to 599p from 552p but reiterates add. ARM Holdings: Citi keeps at buy with a 1,35p target price. Kaz Minerals: Jefferies shaves target to 250p from 275p and reiterates hold.
Read moreSector movers: Results from Aviva and Friends Life spark surge among life insurers
5th Mar 2015 14:18
Insurers Aviva and Friends Life Group (FLG) each jumped over 7% on Thursday as investors celebrated the companies' 2014 results ahead of the proposed merger, giving the life insurance sector a big boost in London. The impressive figures also helped to allay fears across the wider sector, showing tha
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Dignity, Legal & General
5th Mar 2015 12:47
There are few things in life as certain as death, which gives funeral parlour operator Dignity exceptional visibility. So while the number of funerals dropped by 3.5% last year, the company is now set to benefit from the 23% rise in deaths registered over the first eight weeks of this year. In 2014
Read moreLondon close: Stocks erase losses as ITV, StanChart and IAG gain
4th Mar 2015 16:41
After a weak start, UK markets managed to push into positive territory by Wednesday's close as decent gains from ITV, Standard Chartered and IAG offset some heavy falls in the mining sector. The FTSE 100 snapped three days of losses to finish up 0.44% at 6,919.24. Economic data from across the glob
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: ITV soars after beating 2014 forecasts, Fresnillo plunge on weak profits
4th Mar 2015 15:11
ITV topped the risers after the strongest advertising performance in five years helped it beat forecasts for 2014, as it hiked its annual dividend 34% and proposed an extra payout for shareholders. Numis Securities upped its rating on the broadcaster and producer from 'add' to 'buy'. Emerging market
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE continues retreat from record highs as mining stocks decline
4th Mar 2015 11:55
UK stocks were falling for the fourth straight day on Wednesday after a batch of mixed corporate earnings and global economic data. The FTSE 100 was down 0.32% at 6,866.94 by midday, on track for its lowest close since 16 February, with mining giants Fresnillo and Glencore providing a drag. Stocks
Read moreLondon open: Stocks slip on mixed earnings, Fresnillo and L&G drop
4th Mar 2015 08:23
UK stocks edged lower on Wednesday morning as gains from Standard Chartered and ITV were offset by declines by Fresnillo, Glencore and Legal & General, as investors awaited a barrage of economic data. Following a brief spell in positive territory, the FTSE 100 had fallen 0.2% to 6,875.90 after the f
Read moreLegal & General's full-year earnings grow on annuity sales
4th Mar 2015 08:16
Legal & General reported an 8% increase in annual pre-tax profit to £1.2bn as pension deals lifted annuity sales. The insurer said operating profit increased 10% to £1.28bn but missed the £1.31bn forecast in a poll of analysts supplied by the company. Earnings per share climbed 10% to 16.7p. Annuit
Read moreLegal and General acquires Newlife Home Finance for £5m
9th Feb 2015 15:11
Insurance group Legal and General (L&G) has purchased lifetime mortgage provider Newlife Home Finance for £5m. Lifetime mortgages allow house-owners to borrow against the value of their property, which is then paid back once they die. Insurers have been encouraged to widen the range of their busine
Read moreMonday broker round-up
15th Dec 2014 09:29
Ashtead Group: Berenberg raises target price from 1170p to 1345p and keeps its 'buy' recommendation. Aviva: Citi increases target price from 590p to 620p and maintains a 'buy' recommendation. Bellway: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 1760p to 1778p and reiterates its 'hold' recommendation. Berk
Read moreLegal & General restructures Assurance Society ahead of chief's exit
28th Nov 2014 10:26
Legal & General (LGR) has unveiled plans to split the savings business of Legal and General Assurance Society in two ahead of the retirement of its chief executive in May next year. The FTSE 100 group said it was not planning to appoint a direct replacement for John Pollock, whose retirement was
Read moreLondon pre-open: All eyes on the OPEC meeting, stocks inch higher
27th Nov 2014 07:32
US markets might be closed together for Thanksgiving but those hoping for a quiet day could be disappointed with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) set for a pivotal meeting in Vienna. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around eight points higher than yesterday's close
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