London open: Miners jump on Chinese growth hopes
29th May 2012 08:25
- Chinese stimulus hopes boost miners - Wolseley drops after third-quarter update - Greek banks receive liquidity injection Just a couple of stocks on the FTSE 100 were in the red in early trading on Tuesday, as the blue chip index jumped on the back of Chinese stimulus hopes. Markets across Europ
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to track Asian stocks higher
29th May 2012 07:28
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open up 25 points from yesterday's close of 5,356, tracking Asian stocks higher. Sentiment over Greece has been boosted by another poll in the country which showed that the pro-bailout New Democracy party is leading amongst voters as the country prepares for th
Read morePennon turns up the heat
29th May 2012 07:12
Full year profits at Pennon came in ahead of expectations, with growth at South West Water more than offsetting a slow-down at Viridor, the waste management unit. Profit before tax in the year to March 31st was £200.5m, ahead of market expectations of £196.2m and up from £188.5m the year before. S
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slump on global manufacturing data
22nd Mar 2012 16:57
- PMIs disappoint from China and Eurozone - Miners down on demand concerns, Randgold plummets on Malian military coup - Broker downgrades weigh on stocks After a steep fall early on, London's blue chips traded broadly sideways for the remainder of the day as gloomy economic data weighed on senti
Read moreLondon midday: Macro data weighs on stocks
22nd Mar 2012 11:43
- PMIs disappoint from China and Eurozone - Miners down on demand concerns, Randgold plummets on Malian military coup - Broker downgrades weigh on stocks The Footsie was firmly lower by lunchtime as a result of heavy losses in the mining sector on the back of some gloomy economic data from China.
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura lifts targets for utilities after Budget
22nd Mar 2012 10:26
While Nomura has maintained a bearish view on the UK utilities sector, yesterday's Budget did include a cut in corporation tax leading the broker to upgrade its target prices for utilities under its coverage. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced yesterday that the planned sequence o
Read moreBroker tips: Unilever, Regus, Energy stocks
20th Mar 2012 11:19
Investec has cut its recommendation for food and cosmetic goods giant Unilever from buy to hold and cut its target price from 2,170p to 2,100p - the first time it has downgraded the stock in 17 years. While the broker says it is still an admirer of the company, two things are a cause for concern: a
Read moreBroker snap: Uncertainty persists in the energy sector, says Nomura
20th Mar 2012 10:17
Nomura has highlighted National Grid and United Utilities as its key picks in the UK utilities sector, but has warned that uncertainties still remain given the current climate and regulatory intervention. "Energy continues to be a contentious issue in UK politics - the economic downturn, combined w
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
20th Mar 2012 10:04
Aggreko: Credit Suisse raises target from 2,140p to 2,350p, neutral rating kept. ARM Holdings: BarCap upgrades from equal weight to overweight, target lifted from 700p to 725p; Investec upgrades from hold to buy, target lifted from 640p to 800p. Centrica: Nomura raises target from 340p to 350p, n
Read morePennon performing in line
14th Feb 2012 07:18
Water group Pennon said its overall financial performance since 30 September 2011 remains on track to meet management expectations after progress across all of its divisions. South West Water continued its strong performance against the 2010-2015 (K5) regulatory contract, with capital investment up
Read moreThursday broker round-up - UPDATE
22nd Dec 2011 08:21
Kingfisher: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform rating and 310p target. Next: Credit Suisse maintains outperform rating and 3,000p target. Marks & Spencer: Credit Suisse cuts target from 345p to 334p, neutral rating unchanged. Home Retail: Credit Suisse cuts target from 85p to 70p, keeps underper
Read morePennon's Viridor gets stuck into Bedfordshire waste
30th Nov 2011 08:42
Viridor, the UK recycling and waste management firm, has spent £15.75m buying Community Waste Holding Limited and Community Waste Recycling Limited, a recycling and paper trading business based in Milton Keynes. Viridor is part of the Pennon Group, which also owns South West Water and is seen as a
Read moreFriday tips round up: Weir Group, Pennon
25th Nov 2011 07:51
The Times's Tempus column looks at Weir Group, which has taken a significant bet on the gas extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing with its $675mn takeover of Texas firm Seaboard. The purchase puts Weir in the business of building the type of well heads used in "fracking" - a process which
Read moreLondon close: Retreat moves into ninth day
24th Nov 2011 17:12
After once again showing signs in the morning session of bringing the losing streak to an end, Footsie once again relapsed in the afternoon session, as investors took fright at German Chancellor Angela Merkel once again banging on about what a bad idea it would be to have common interest rates for a
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks seeking direction
24th Nov 2011 12:02
As was the case yesterday morning (before it all went downhill in the afternoon session), equities have endured a dull session in London. Footsie spent much of the morning in positive territory, largely on the strength of good showings by banks and miners. Gains might have been a bit more impress
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