London close: Greek default fears grip markets as UK stocks pull back from record
16th Apr 2015 16:51
Stocks finished lower on Thursday with UK markets retreating from a record high, as bonds yields in Athens soared on the back of concerns over a potential Greek default. London's FTSE 100 was down 36.33 points (-0.51%) by the close at 7,060.45. The index pulled back from Wednesday's all-time closin
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 moreLondon midday: Greek fears hit sentiment as stocks retreat ahead of US session
16th Apr 2015 11:54
Ongoing uncertainty over Greece gave investors an excuse to take profits on Thursday, with UK stocks pulling back from record levels ahead of what is expected to be a busy session in the States. "Fears over Greece continued to dominate Thursday morning, leaving the Eurozone indices in a sorry state
Read moreHouse prices grow at fastest pace in five months in March, says RICS
16th Apr 2015 10:26
UK house prices grew at the fastest pace in five months in March, as a shortage of properties fuelled speculation the cooling in the market might be coming to an end. According to figures released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) monthly house price balance rose to +21 in Marc
Read moreLondon open: Greek woes pull UK stocks back from record high
16th Apr 2015 09:13
London's stock market pulled back slightly on Thursday morning, with investors pausing for breath after a record-setting session the previous day. The FTSE 100 was down 0.19% at 7,083.32 in early deals, retreating from Wednesday's all-time closing high of 7,096.78. The index also set a record intrad
Read morePersimmon makes strong start, but notes pre-election uncertainty
16th Apr 2015 07:57
UK housebuilder Persimmon said the ongoing economic recovery helped it make an "encouraging start" to 2015, though political uncertainty ahead of the elections next month was affecting the land market. Total forward sales revenues over the first 15 weeks of the year are up 7% on 2014 at £2bn. Weekl
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks set a new record high despite growth concerns
10th Apr 2015 16:32
London's FTSE 100 surged to a new all-time high on Friday, topping a previous peak reached two weeks ago, despite concerns about a slowdown in UK economic growth. The Footsie finished 74.41 points higher, rising 1.06% to a fresh record of 7,089.77, helped by gains from Shire, Aberdeen, ITV and a hos
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks shrug off weak data as FTSE closes in on new record
10th Apr 2015 11:44
Weaker-than-expected UK data wasn't enough to stop shares from advancing on Friday, as decent gains in the housebuilding sector pushed the FTSE 100 back towards its record high. The Footsie was up 0.36% at 7,040.54 by midday. The index's previous closing high of 7,037.67 was set on 23 March, while
Read moreBroker tips: Housing stocks, Reckitt Benckiser, Majestic Wine
10th Apr 2015 11:34
Housebuilders were putting in decent gains on Friday as Jefferies upgraded ratings for stocks across the sector after recent data pointed to a stronger pre-election housing market than anticipated. The broker raised Bellway, Bovis Homes, Countrywide, Crest Nicholson, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Zoopla
Read moreHousing stocks jump as Jefferies turns more positive on sector
10th Apr 2015 09:28
Housebuilders were putting in decent gains on Friday as Jefferies upgraded ratings for stocks across the sector, saying that companies have "springs in their steps". The broker raised Bellway, Bovis Homes, Countrywide, Crest Nicholson, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Zoopla from 'hold' to 'buy'. Barratt D
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks near record highs as housebuilders rise
10th Apr 2015 08:33
UK stocks were on track to hit a new record on Friday, helped by strong gains in the housebuilding sector. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.46% at 7,047.39 shortly after the open. The index's previous closing high of 7,037.67 was set on 23 March, while the intraday record of 7,065.08 was set on 24 March.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Burberry rallies amid bid speculation
9th Apr 2015 16:07
Burberry Group's shares rallied amid speculation the luxury fashion house could attract the attention of a US rival or cash-rich private equity groups. The reported market chatter from UK newspaper the Daily Mail came before Burberry posts its 2015 sales figures next Wednesday. Earlier on Thursday,
Read moreSector Movers: Tobacco, housebuilders and engineering stocks lead London market to new highs
9th Apr 2015 12:59
Tobacco, engineering and housebuilders helped FTSE 100 extend gains above the 7,000 mark on a day when the market shrugged off prevailing political uncertainty about a hung parliament as well as weak industrial output. At 16:18 BST, the FTSE 100 was up 0.87% or 61.35 points to 7076.71 with tobacco b
Read moreBroker tips: M&S, Persimmon, JD Wetherspoon
2nd Apr 2015 11:46
Shore Capital has maintained a 'hold' rating on Marks & Spencer but has hailed the retailer's latest trading update, which showed an unexpected return to growth in general merchandise sales in the fourth quarter. "At this juncture we believe it is wise for us to watch and wait to see if there is a f
Read moreUBS downgrades Persimmon, but sees potential for accelerated capital return
2nd Apr 2015 11:27
After a strong run in Persimmon's share price, UBS has downgraded its rating on the housebuilder from 'buy' to 'neutral'. The broker doesn't see the stock heading much higher after a 20% jump over the past year. Returns at Persimmon are "sector-leading" at a 30% pre-tax return on capital employed i
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