London open: Markets dip on mixed earnings, ex-div stocks fall
14th May 2015 08:15
UK shares declined on Thursday morning ahead of a quiet session in terms of economic data, with corporate earnings coming in mixed and a number of ex-dividend stocks in the red. The FTSE 100 was down 0.58% at 6,909.22 early on. Global stock markets closed in a mixed fashion on Wednesday on the back
Read moreLegoland and Madame Tassauds owner Merlin Entertainment boosted by weather and currencies
14th May 2015 07:46
Alton Towers, Madame Tassauds and Blackpool Tower owner Merlin Entertainments said it delivered a "satisfactory" start to 2015, boosted by favourable weather in Europe and helpful currency movements. However the company, which also owns the Sea Life brand and Legoland theme parks across the globe, g
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Acacia boosted by Citi coverage, Rotork flows lower on weak Q1
24th Apr 2015 13:21
Acacia Mining was trading higher as Credit Suisse initiated the stock with an 'outperform' rating, despite the gold miner reporting an 18% fall in its first-quarter core profit due to declining prices for the yellow metal. Mining peers Vedanta Resources, BlackRock World Mining Trust and Kaz Minerals
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 moreWednesday tips round-up: Barclays, Merlin Entertainments
4th Mar 2015 13:49
Sentiment may have turned on shares of Barclays. The stock has risen 15% over the last six months, outperforming other UK banks and its universal European peers. Hence, the lender's stock now changes hands at 0.8 times book value, versus 0.6 times before. But a vote of confidence from investors woul
Read moreMerlin Entertainments rides Lego wave but valuation too "awesome" for market
26th Feb 2015 09:08
Legoland and Alton Towers theme park operator Merlin Entertainments reported strong annual growth in revenue and profit in 2014, as the number of visitors to its sites was boosted by the success of the Lego Movie. In the year to 27 December, the FTSE 250 group posted a 31.4% increase in pre-tax prof
Read moreMerlin Entertainments declares first interim divi after return to black
31st Jul 2014 10:26
Increased visitor numbers drove half year revenue 6.1% higher at Merlin Entertainments, helping the company return to the black and prompting a half year dividend payment of 2p a share. However, while the attraction operator delivered a good performance, particularly by its Legoland parks, it said
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: NMC Health rises on CEO purchase
30th Jun 2014 15:36
NMC Health continued to surge, extending Friday's gains after its Chief Executive Officer and founder, B. R. Shetty, purchased 10m shares from its largest shareholder at a price of 500p per share. At the end of last week Numis Securities reiterated its 'buy' rating following the group's pre-close t
Read moreLondon pre-open: Modest gains ahead of busy week
30th Jun 2014 07:47
With traders set for a busier week than has been seen of late, the FTSE is expected to open around 10 points higher from Friday's close of 6,757.77, as investors gear up for multiple central bank decisions taking place in the next few days. Due out this morning are figures on consumer credit and m
Read moreSunday share tips: Burberry, TalkTalk, Merlin
18th May 2014 14:24
It may be best to hold off buying Burberry after the departure of former boss Angela Ahrendts, the Sunday Times's Danny Fortson wrote in his Inside the City column. New Chief Executive Christopher Bailey holds his first annual results on May 21st. His biggest project is in Japan where he plans take
Read moreMerlin Entertainment revenues benefit from The Lego Movie
15th May 2014 14:25
Merlin Entertainment's like-for-like revenue grew 12 per cent in the first 18 weeks to May 3rd, supported by the successful release of The Lego Movie and improved weather in Northern Europe. The theme park operator said the movie had a positive impact on two US Legoland parks and Legoland Discovery
Read moreMerlin Entertainment brings ITV Managing Director on board
1st Apr 2014 09:56
Location based family entertainment group Merlin Entertainment has announced the appointment of ITV's Managing Director as a non-executive director. Fru Hazlitt is currently Managing Director Commercial, Online and Interactive of ITV and will assume the role of Non-Executive Director today. Hazlit
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
12th Mar 2014 09:03
Ashtead Group: Citi raises target price from 850p to 1075p keeping a buy recommendation. Barratt Developments: Goldman Sachs reduces target price from 527p to 502p and downgrades to neutral. British Land: Jefferies downgrades to hold with a target price of 707p. Brooks Macdonald Group: Canaccord
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
3rd Mar 2014 08:21
African Barrick Gold: Citi increases target price from 120p to 179p, but still recommends selling. African Minerals: Citi cuts target price from 300p to 260p leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Aggreko: Deutsche Bank reduces target price from 1870p to 1400p and downgrades to hold. Anglo Ame
Read moreMerlin Entertainment's revenues rise on new attractions
27th Feb 2014 14:38
- Revenues and profits rise - Successful LSE flotation - Merlin expands portfolio - Investec says 'buy' Theme park operator Merlin Entertainment said 2013 revenue rose 10.9 per cent to 1.19bn pounds as the company invested in new rides and attractions. In its first annual results since its succe
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