London midday: Markets pull back ahead of key risk events

2nd Jul 2013 11:32

The FTSE 100 was trading firmly lower on Tuesday morning with profit-taking evident after a strong performance over the past week, as investors gear up for central-bank meetings and key US data later in the week. London's benchmark index jumped 1.5% yesterday as it continued to rebound strongly af

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Broker tips: Persimmon, Berendsen, PZ Cussons

2nd Jul 2013 11:10

Jefferies has kept its 'hold' rating and 1,162p target price for UK house builder Persimmon despite an upbeat second-quarter trading update, saying that the stock's valuation looks 'full'. Analyst Anthony Codling said that the statement was "robust" and backed up its view that the government's stim

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PZ Cussons acquires baby food brand Rafferty's Garden

2nd Jul 2013 10:46

Consumer products group PZ Cussons has acquired Australian baby food brand Rafferty's Garden from private equity firm Anacacia for 42.2m pounds. Rafferty's Garden has a 40% share of the wet baby food market and has growing shares in the infant dry and snacks market. Panmure Gordon upgraded its ra

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Broker snap: Panmure upgrades PZ Cussons after Rafferty's Garden acquisition

2nd Jul 2013 09:49

Panmure Gordon has upgraded its rating for consumer-products group PZ Cussons (PZC) from 'hold' to 'buy' after the company announced the purchase of Rafferty's Garden on Tuesday. "The shares have pulled back lately to around the 350p level from c.400p, and we think this represents an attractive ent

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Tuesday broker round-up UPDATE

2nd Jul 2013 08:24

Amara Mining: Westhouse Securities raises target price from 60p to 90p and stays with its buy recommendation. Canaccord Genuity lowers target price from 50p to 40p maintaining its buy recommendation. Anite Group: Panmure Gordon shifts target price from 171p to 177p and reiterates a buy recommendati

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PZ Cussons makes a splash with return to profits

13th Jun 2013 16:18

Consumer products group PZ Cussons revealed it had enjoyed a profitable return to growth in its recently completed financial year. The owner of such bathroom fixtures as Imperial Leather, Carex, Original Source said its financial position remained strong with good cash generation and only a small

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FTSE 250 movers: Home Retail slumps as Argos misses forecasts

13th Jun 2013 14:42

Home Retail saw shares sink on Thursday after the first-quarter underlying growth figures at its Argos chain missed forecasts. Like-for-like (LFL) sales increased by just 1.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to June 1st, well below the 3.0 per cent expected by analysts. LFL growth at the smaller Homebase di

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Wednesday broker round-up UPDATE

22nd May 2013 09:37

Afferro Mining: Panmure Gordon reduces target price from 279p to 100p, while keeping its buy recommendation. Amara Mining: Westhouse Securities cuts target price from 110p to 90p retaining a buy recommendation. Amlin: Westhouse Securities moves target price from 455p to 470p and upgrades to add.

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Friday tips round-up: Ashmore Group, PZ Cussons, Hays

12th Apr 2013 15:47

Emerging-market focused fund manager Ashmore Group startled the market yesterday when it released its latest figures for its funds under management (FuM) in the first quarter. These raced past analysts' expectations, rising by a net $6.7bn, on the back of strong inflows from sovereign wealth funds,

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Sector movers: PZ Cussons, Burberry lift personal goods sector higher

11th Apr 2013 14:08

Decent gains by PZ Cussons and Burberry lifted the personal goods sector to the top of the pile on Thursday. PZ Cussons, the company famous for its Imperial Leather, Carex and Original Source brands, saw shares rise 2.4% to 396.2p in afternoon trade after saying that it still expects a return to pr

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PZ Cussons says trading mixed due to 'challenging' conditions

11th Apr 2013 07:30

Cosmetics and home-products group PZ Cussons said it still expects a return to profitable growth this year despite 'challenging' trading conditions in most of its markets. The company, famous for cosmetics and home-products brands, said in a trading update on Thursday that its performance in the th

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Thursday broker round-up UPDATE

11th Apr 2013 07:21

African Minerals: Deutsche Bank reduces target price from 594p to 586p keeping a buy recommendation. Investec cuts target price from 438p to 411p, while its buy recommendation remains unchanged. Associated British Foods: Societe Generale increases target price from 1820p to 1900p, while downgrading

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Experian Chairman reduces stake

2nd Apr 2013 16:24

Sir John Peace, the Chairman of FTSE 100 information services company Experian, has reduced his stake in the company by 200,000 shares. Peace, who is also the Chairman of Burberry Group and Standard Chartered, disposed of the shares at 1,145.89p each, earning himself in the region of £2.29m. The

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PZ Cussons sells Polish Home Care brands to Henkel

20th Feb 2013 08:12

Consumer products giant PZ Cussons is selling its Polish Home Care brands to Henkel for 46.6m pounds. The Polish Home Care brands include laundry detergents, fabric conditioners and washing up liquids. The brands generated revenue of £51.4m in the year ended May 31st 2012. Cussons has decided to

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Wednesday broker round-up UPDATE

20th Feb 2013 07:04

Amara Mining: Goldman Sachs moves target price from 90p to 55p downgrading to neutral. Aureus Mining: Goldman Sachs revises target price from 65p to 55p retaining a neutral rating. Avocet Mining: Goldman Sachs cuts target price from 55p to 30p and upgrades from sell to neutral. AZ Electronic Mate

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