London midday: Stocks erase losses after UK deficit revision, but gains limited
23rd Apr 2015 12:06
London's stocks had erased losses by Thursday lunchtime though upside was limited as investors showed caution following a raft of mostly disappointing global economic data. The FTSE 100, which had dropped to a low of 6,995.79 in mid-morning trade, was broadly flat (+0.02%) at 7,029.97 by midday. Re
Read moreLondon open: Stocks fall as Chinese and Eurozone PMIs miss forecasts
23rd Apr 2015 08:47
UK stocks inched lower on Thursday morning after purchasing managers' index (PMI) data from both China and Europe disappointed. The FTSE 100 was down 0.13% at 7,018.93 within the opening hour, with ex-dividend stocks keeping the index in the red. Overnight, a HSBC survey showed that Chinese manufac
Read moreMeggitt flies steadily in first quarter with 4% sales growth
23rd Apr 2015 07:14
Trading in the first quarter of 2015 at aeroplane components maker Meggitt has continued along its expected flight path of low to mid single-digit revenue growth for the full year. In total, the group said it achieved organic revenue growth of 4% in the period from 1 January 2015 to 22 April. Organ
Read moreThursday broker round-up
16th Apr 2015 13:42
AstraZeneca: Societe Generale reiterates buy and 6,660p target price. Tesco: Nomura reiterates neutral and lowers target to 185p from 190p. Burberry: UBS reiterates neutral stance and lifts target to 1,800p from 1,650p. Royal Dutch Shell: Barclays reiterates overweight. Persimmon: Shore Capital r
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Pearson plunges on refund demands, Unilever higher on strong Q1
16th Apr 2015 13:38
Publishing group Pearson plummeted on reports that the Los Angeles Unified School District is seeking a refund from the firm and its technology partner, Apple, over a botched $1.3bn effort to supply students with iPads, BAE Systems dipped following a downgrade from 'buy' to 'neutral' from analysts a
Read moreLondon close: FTSE plunges 1.7% as investors take profits ahead of quarter-end
31st Mar 2015 16:31
Sharp falls from mining and tobacco stocks sent the FTSE 100 to its lowest close in two and a half weeks on Tuesday as investors used some weak economic data as an excuse to rebalance their books before the quarter-end. After briefly trading in the green early on, the Footsie finished had plunged 1.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher surges on store closures, tobacco stocks lower
31st Mar 2015 13:22
DIY retailer Kingfisher soared as it impressed investors with plans to close 60 stores, as new chief executive Véronique Laury announced full-year results and set out her plans for a "very different" company. The company announced a £200m cash return for the coming financial year as it revealed adju
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE drops sharply to two-week low at quarter-end
31st Mar 2015 12:11
After a brief stint in positive territory, UK stocks dropped sharply into the red by Tuesday lunchtime as concerns about the Eurozone outweighed upbeat data closer to home. London's FTSE 100, which rose initially to a high of 6,910.07, had sunk over 1% to 6,819.82 by midday. The index has not closed
Read moreBroker tips: Kingfisher, Antofagasta, Meggitt, Petrofac
31st Mar 2015 11:40
Analysts were largely very impressed by the strategic vision nailed to the wall by Kingfisher's new chief executive Véronique Laury as she lifted the lid on some less impressive full-year numbers. Brewin Dolphin's Nicla Di Palma said the new strategy makes sense, with the new focus on capital discip
Read moreExane sees downside at Meggitt despite bid speculation
31st Mar 2015 09:40
Exane BNP Paribas has kicked off coverage of aerospace engineer Meggitt with an 'underperform' rating despite bid speculation and an active share buyback programme supporting the stock over the last year. The broker set a 475p target for the shares, suggesting 15% downside from current prices. "Buo
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ekes out new record despite Greek uncertainty
23rd Mar 2015 17:19
After a subdued start, the Footsie managed to edge higher to a new record on Monday though worries about Greece limited upside for London's stocks. The FTSE 100 finished the session up 0.22% at 7,037.67, surpassing the previous all-time closing high of 7,022.51 set on Friday. Stocks on the continen
Read moreMeggitt COO trims stake, incoming deputy chairman buys shares
23rd Mar 2015 15:44
The chief operating officer of Meggitt sold over half a million pounds-worth of shares in the aerospace engineer on the same day broker Bernstein downgraded the stock. David Johnson sold 97,579 shares for an individual price of 563.95p, pocketing a total of £550,297 in the transaction. He now holds
Read moreThursday broker round-up
12th Mar 2015 17:30
Asos: Cannacord Genuity raises target to 3,250p from 2,520p and reiterates hold. Cambian Group: Cannacord Genuity lifts target to 311p from 294p and reiterates buy. BP: JP Morgan raises target to 410p from 400p and reiterates underweight. Royal Dutch Shell: Investec reiterates hold. Supergroup: C
Read moreLondon pre-open: Small retreat expected after Tuesday's record highs
25th Feb 2015 07:49
UK markets were expected to pull back slightly on Wednesday as investors tread cautiously following the new all-time highs reached the previous session. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around eight points lower than Tuesday's record close of 6,949.63. The index also reached a new intrada
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BHP higher after beating forecasts, Meggitt hit by falling profits
24th Feb 2015 12:59
Mining giant BHP Billiton jumped after beating forecasts with a less-than-expected decline in earnings in the first half. Underlying operating profits fell 12.3% year-on-year to $14.49bn, compared with consensus forecasts of $13.62bn. The group also pledged to keep its dividend policy unchanged desp
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