Prospects remain bright for Persimmon, says Hargreaves Lansdown
19th Aug 2014 10:36
Persimmon is in an "extremely healthy" position, according to Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, despite concerns about the stock's valuation and a potential cooling of the UK housing market. The housebuilder delivered a strong set of interim results with 57% higher adjusted pre-tax profits at £212.
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise for fifth straight day, BHP Billiton falls
19th Aug 2014 09:23
- Geopolitical tensions abate in Ukraine - UK, US CPI in focus - BHP Billiton fails to excite with demerger plans techMARK 2,796.26 +0.51% FTSE 100 6,771.42 +0.45% FTSE 250 15,869.16 +0.46% UK stocks rose for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, helped by easing geopolitical tensions in Ukraine. The
Read morePersimmon earnings up 61% in first half
19th Aug 2014 08:00
- Revenue up 33%, underlying PBT up 57% - Homes sales up 28%, average prices up 4.3% - EPS up 61% Profits rose 57% in the first half of the year at housebuilder Persimmon, which said trading in the early weeks of the second half remained ahead of tough comparative numbers from the prior year. The
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to continue higher as geopolitical risk falls
19th Aug 2014 07:45
The FTSE is set to continue its journey higher this morning as geopolitical tensions ease and attention turns to central banks. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 20 points higher than yesterday's close of 6,741.25, tracking gains seen amongst US stocks overnight, which drove the N
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase losses as banks and housebuilders gain
24th Jul 2014 12:04
- Banking, housing stocks provide a boost - Kingfisher, Easyjet slump after results - Ukraine still in focus as Russian sanctions discussed - Eurozone PMI improves, UK retail sales fall techMARK 2,821.65 -0.06% FTSE 100 6,802.89 +0.07% FTSE 250 15,726.48 0.00% UK stocks managed to turn around afte
Read moreLondon close: FTSE closes higher as tensions ease, ARM leads
22nd Jul 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes 66.90 higher at 6,795.34 - Geopolitical tensions ease - UK factory orders slow in July techMARK 2,826.65 +0.92% FTSE 100 6,795.34 +0.99% FTSE 250 15,650.73 +1.06% It was a strong finish for London's top tier stocks on Tuesday, with the FTSE rising steadily after an initial jump early
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: ARM leads the charge after strong Q2
22nd Jul 2014 15:53
Chip designer ARM Holdings was a high riser as it delivered a confident outlook, hailing a "healthy pipeline of opportunities" after strong licensing results helped profits beat expectations in the second quarter. The tech group, which makes processors for smartphones and tablets, said pre-tax profi
Read moreLondon close: FTSE in red as housing data, Russia weigh
21st Jul 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes down 21 at 6,728.44 - Ukraine, Gaza driving losses - Housing sector weighs after data techMARK 2,801.01 -0.10% FTSE 100 6,728.44 -0.31% FTSE 250 15,486.10 -0.45% Global tensions and disappointing housing data weighed on sentiment in today's session, with the footsie falling early on
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners show resilience amid global tensions
21st Jul 2014 15:55
Miners Fresnillo and Antofagasta were showing resilience despite the mounting tensions seen in both Russia and Gaza over the past few days. Retail giant Tesco was up despite this morning unveiling a profit warning after a "challenging" second quarter. Shares gained after investors welcomed the res
Read moreLondon midday: Housing, tobacco stocks lead UK markets lower, but Tesco gains
21st Jul 2014 12:10
- Gaza fighting, Ukraine crisis continues to dampen risk appetite - UK house prices fall for first time this year - Tobacco stocks hit by major fine for US peer - Tesco issues profit warning as CEO resigns techMARK 2,796.34 -0.27% FTSE 100 6,726.20 -0.34% FTSE 250 15,467.80 -0.57% Geopolitical con
Read moreUK housebuilders have little to be afraid of, says Liberum
18th Jul 2014 10:53
Liberum has trimmed target prices across the UK housebulding sector but said it still sees upside for stocks despite concerns about a slowing down of the housing market. Taylor Wimpey and Bellway have been named as the top picks in the sector with 'buy' ratings. Bovis Homes, Gleeson and Redrow are
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
18th Jul 2014 07:55
Barclays: Credit Suisse cuts target price from 275p to 235p retaining a neutral rating. Barratt Developments: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 468p to 387p and downgrades to hold. Bellway: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1900p to 1764p, while leaving its buy recommendation uncha
Read moreMayor Boris Johnson drives new laws to release London land for housing
15th Jul 2014 14:38
UK housebuilders are optimistic that the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, can push legislation through parliament that will accelerate the release of public land in the capital to build new homes. Currently in the rest of England outside London, the Homes & Communities Agency, the national housing a
Read moreSector movers: Housing stocks hit by rate-hike speculation as inflation rises
15th Jul 2014 14:18
Concerns about a sooner-than-expected rise in interest rates pushed stocks in the housing sector lower in London on Tuesday with investors concerned about how future policy tightening will affect the demand for mortgages. Housebuilders and construction companies slipped after it was revealed that U
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tobacco stocks drop on Reynolds-Lorillard tie-up
15th Jul 2014 13:49
Share prices of tobacco rivals Imperial and British American both dropped on Tuesday as investors gave a cool reaction to the planned merger between US peers Reynolds and Lorillard, which involves both UK companies parting ways with a lot of cash. As part of the deal, Imperial is to buy a portfolio
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