Broker tips: Lloyds, Shire, Compass
29th Jul 2011 11:35
RBS has downgraded UK lending giant Lloyds Banking Group from buy to hold, saying that there appears to be a lack of catalysts for the shares in the near-term. "Given what looks to us like an overambitious top-line strategy, a tough economic backdrop, regulatory uncertainty and limited repatriatio
Read moreBroker snap: RBS downgrades Lloyds from buy to hold
29th Jul 2011 11:30
RBS has downgraded UK lending giant Lloyds Banking Group from buy to hold, saying that there appears to be a lack of catalysts for the shares in the near-term. "Lloyds [return on equity] recovery story is rapidly becoming a six-year journey. Given what looks to us like an overambitious top-line str
Read moreLondon open: US worries overshadow cheery updates
29th Jul 2011 08:29
Shares have moved higher after some upbeat company statements this morning, but, demonstrating its exposure to the global economy, the top share index has slumped on the back of worries over the ongoing deadlock as US politicians debate raising its debt ceiling. Banks such as Lloyds and miners suc
Read moreBroker tips: Rolls-Royce, Wolseley, Banks
28th Jul 2011 12:51
"Trading is now improving" at Rolls-Royce, according to RBS, which keeps its positive stance on the aerospace, power systems and defense group with a buy recommendation. "Our impression of the 1H11 result and the outlook comments is that Rolls-Royce is essentially on course," said analyst Sandy Mor
Read moreBroker snap: Credit Suisse cuts its targets for three UK banks
28th Jul 2011 09:38
At a moment when, "the market is preoccupied with concerns over sovereign debt, and ring fencing in the UK," analysts at Credit Suisse have today decided to mark down their price targets on three banks for the following reasons: Barclays: Analysts have lowered their 2011 and 2012 EPS estimates for
Read moreLondon close: US debt uncertainty persists, Footsie finishes under
25th Jul 2011 16:42
The Footsie trimmed earlier gains as markets in the US recovered after a weak start. Despite falling as low as 5,893 on Monday, London's blue chip index finished firmly above the 5,900 mark, as giants BP, ARM, BG and GlaxoSmithKline rose ahead of their interim results due tomorrow. While stocks on
Read moreSector movers: Melrose, Charter boost engineering sector
25th Jul 2011 16:18
Sector peers Melrose and Charter International were rising on Monday, helping the industrial engineering sector higher. Engineering conglomerate Melrose said today that it is thinking over whether or not to up its bid for Charter after the target dismissed its first two offers. "Melrose is willi
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Gold stocks shine
25th Jul 2011 11:40
Gold production companies Fresnillo and Randgold were among the top risers in the FTSE 100 after the price of gold increased. Fresnillo was the biggest mover seeeing its share price rise 2.74% to 1,727.00p. Randgold Resources did less well but its shares were still up 1.16% to 5,660p. The price o
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Tax cuts, Lloyds, insolvencies
25th Jul 2011 06:52
George Osborne has promised to cut "very high" tax rates this autumn to try to head off a row over poor growth figures and warnings from cabinet colleagues that the economy faces the biggest challenges for decades. Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary, warned yesterday that "the [economic] icebergs
Read moreLondon close: Footsie closes higher, despite afternoon sell-off
22nd Jul 2011 16:31
After a solid start on the back of positive developments in Europe, the Footsie trimmed gains in the afternoon as investors looked to lock in profits following a strong finish on Thursday. Despite touching as high as the 5,967 level before midday, the Footsie steadily declined to close at 5,935. Me
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials mixed as investor lock in profits
22nd Jul 2011 14:18
The financial sector was mixed on Friday, despite rising strongly early on following yesterday's Eurozone deal to bailout Greece. Shares soared on Thursday after the region's leaders agreed a new aid package for Greece and an overhaul of the Eurozone sovereign rescue fund. While RBS bucked the tre
Read moreLondon midday: Banks in front as rally continues
22nd Jul 2011 12:21
Stocks are going strong after this morning's gains, with banks prominent among the risers, continuing their advance following the eurozone deal yesterday. Barclays, RBS and Lloyds are posting good gains. However, today's standout stock is easyJet, with the budget airline up 15% after saying it exp
Read moreLondon open: Banks keep rising, easyJet takes off
22nd Jul 2011 08:28
Stocks have continued rising following yesterday's Eurozone agreement, with banks unsurprisingly in the vanguard of the advance. Barclays, RBS and Lloyds are the top three risers in the FTSE 100. However, today's standout stock is easyJet, with the budget airline up 15% after saying it expects ful
Read moreLondon close: European hopes boost Footsie back to 5,900
21st Jul 2011 16:34
London equities rallied to a strong finish - recouping the losses experienced over the last week - on hopes of a solution to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. At midday, shares offset early losses as reports surfaced that Europe's leaders have agreed on a new aid package for Greece and an overh
Read moreSector movers: Big gains for banks
21st Jul 2011 15:43
Financials were leading the way on Thursday on hopes of a solution to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. European leaders agreed a new aid package for Greece and an overhaul of the Eurozone sovereign rescue fund. Among the proposals are a reduction in debt burdens on Greece, Portugal and Ireland
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