Reckitt Benckiser starts strong on demand for Nurofen and Durex
24th Apr 2015 07:25
First-quarter numbers from Reckitt Benckiser were better than the market expected, with like-for-like sales from the household goods behemoth up 5% thanks to strong growth from consumer health brands such as Nurofen, Gaviscon and Durex. The company was expected to have generated a 4% increase, acco
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 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 moreReckitt Benckiser shares boosted by UBS rating upgrade to 'buy'
10th Apr 2015 08:30
Shares in Reckitt Benckiser rose 1% to 6053p on Friday after receiving a boost by analysts at UBS who upgraded their rating on the stock to 'buy' from 'hold'. UBS analysts said that in a sector they have turned increasingly more cautious on, Reckitt Benckiser is the favourite pick, raising their tar
Read moreThursday broker round-up
9th Apr 2015 11:58
Marks&Spencer: Cannacord Genuity reiterates hold and tweaks price target to 530p from 525p. Antofagasta: Credit Suisse reiterates neutral stance with a 710p target. BG Group: Citigroup reiterates buy and lifts target to 1,332p. Robert Walters: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform and improves targe
Read moreThursday broker round-up
26th Mar 2015 17:39
Reckitt Benckiser: JP Morgan ups target price to 2,750p from 2,400p, reiterates underweight. Premier Farnell: UBS hikes target to 190p from 165p, reiterates neutral. Serco Group: Credit Suisse lowers target to 171p from 208p, reiterates neutral. Land Securities: Morgan Stanley ups target to 1,470p
Read moreThursday broker round-up
19th Mar 2015 15:59
Smiths Group: Charles Stanley downgrades to reduce while Nomura reiterates buy recommendation. Weir Group: Barclays reiterates equalweight and 1,700p target. Prudential: Barclays reiterates overweight and lifts target to 1,868p. Serco: Jefferies reiterates hold but trims target to 185p from 195p.
Read moreReckitt Benckiser upgraded to 'overweight' at Morgan Stanley
19th Mar 2015 15:36
Reckitt Benckiser has had its rating raised to 'overweight' from 'equalweight' over at Morgan Stanley, as the stock is "one of the best risk/rewards" in the home and personal care sector. Morgan Stanley said that's because of the launch of the Reckitt's cost saving program, dubbed as 'Supercharge'.
Read moreBroker tips: Hargreaves Lansdown, Reckitt Benckiser, Greggs
19th Mar 2015 15:32
Proposals from the government to shake-up the personal savings market are positive but the reaction they triggered in shares of Hargreaves Lansdown seems overdone, UBS said in a research note e-mailed to clients. Allowing retirees to sell their annuities for cash would be positive for UK exposed ass
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Exane boosts StanChart, sees buy-backs at Glencore
9th Mar 2015 14:04
Analysts at Exane BNP Paribas have hiked their price target on shares of Standard Chartered to 940p from 875p but write that that the chances of a dividend cut are now greater than 50%. On the plus side of things, the broker adds that the lender can now probably avoid a capital increase. On the subj
Read moreReckitt Benckiser boosted to 'buy' from 'hold' at Jefferies
9th Mar 2015 13:14
UK consumer staple stock Reckitt Benckiser has had its rating promoted to 'buy' from 'hold' at Jefferies on Monday. The investment bank noted that Reckitt's finished strongly in 2014 and the guidance for 2015 is confident. "With plenty of margin tailwinds in FY15, consensus seems curiously muted. We
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Coca-cola fizzes up on Ukraine ceasefire, oil and gas lower
12th Feb 2015 14:31
Stocks exposed to Russia and Ukraine, such as Coca-Cola, rose strongly after a ceasefire was agreed between the two nations. The ceasefire will come into effect on Sunday and involves the withdrawal of heavy weapons from conflict areas. Mining group Rio Tinto gained as it pledged to return nearly $6
Read moreLondon close: Resource stocks fall with markets cautious ahead of Greek meeting
11th Feb 2015 16:33
UK stocks declined for the fourth day on Wednesday with oil and mining stocks bearing the brunt of the selling pressure as investors scaled back their appetite for risk ahead of a pivotal meeting about Greece. London's FTSE 100 finished the session down 0.2% at 6,818, with blue-chip oil group Tullow
Read more