RPS's first-half profit drops on oil and gas weakness, but revenue rises
30th Jul 2015 15:34
(ShareCast News) - RPS Group posted a drop in first-half pre-tax profit following weakness in the oil and gas sector, although revenue rose as the consultancy company was able to offset the worst effects of the downturn thanks to the diverse range of its activities and geographies. Pre-tax profit fo
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: RPS continues to tumble, miners higher
1st May 2015 13:10
Shares in RPS Group continued Thursday's losses, when the industrial consultancy outfit said the continuing volatility in the oil and gas sector meant its energy business had a slower-than-expected start to the year. Stockmarket newcomer Virgin Money was climbing after it increased its share of the
Read moreLondon close: Stocks edge higher despite mixed earnings, data
30th Apr 2015 16:23
UK stocks managed to erase earlier losses to settle in positive territory on Thursday as investors picked up bargains following heavy losses over the last two sessions. The FTSE 100 finished 0.21% higher at 6,960.63, bouncing back after hitting a low of 6,906.24 early on amid a mixed batch of corpor
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Zoopla rockets on acquisition, RPS hit by sluggish first quarter
30th Apr 2015 13:05
Zoopla, the residential property website group, topped the risers after agreeing to acquire utility price comparison site uSwitch for up to £190m. Zoopla said it expected the deal to be "significantly enhancing" to adjusted basic earnings per share in the first full financial year following completi
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase losses but weak earnings limit upside
30th Apr 2015 12:02
Uncertainty surrounding US monetary policy and a raft of poorly-received corporate earnings kept the FTSE 100 flat on Thursday morning, with the index fluctuating at its lowest in three weeks. The FTSE 100 was up just 0.09% at 6,952.66 by midday, with RBS, IAG and Schroders limiting upside after dis
Read moreBroker tips: RBS, British American, Shell, RPS Group
30th Apr 2015 11:51
A quick reaction note from Bernstein on Royal Bank of Scotland praised a "strong beat" on operating expenses and lower restructuring costs than it expected, with its 'outperform' rating maintained and target price moved to 450p. Delivering its investment case, Bernstein said that once the restructur
Read moreNumis still sees "good value" in RPS Group despite energy weakness
30th Apr 2015 10:30
Numis Securities said it continues to see RPS's shares as "good value" despite the consultancy group disappointing the market with a trading update on Thursday. The broker maintained a 'buy' rating but cut its target price for the stock from 310p to 285p. RPS, which helps clients develop energy res
Read moreLondon open: IAG, RBS and Schroders lead UK markets lower
30th Apr 2015 09:13
UK stock markets picked up where they left off on Thursday, falling for the third straight day on the back of mostly worse-than-expected corporate earnings and hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.43% lower at 6,916.69 early on, with heavyweights IAG, RBS and Schrode
Read moreRPS shares drop as oil-market woes hit energy division
30th Apr 2015 08:08
Shares in RPS Group dropped sharply on Thursday after the industrial consultancy outfit said it was feeling the impact of the continuing volatility in the oil and gas sector. The company also announced the £22.3m purchase of Norwegian project management and training company Metier Holding. RPS, whi
Read moreRPS lifts dividend as annual profit rises
26th Feb 2015 08:44
Energy consultancy group RPS said higher revenue and fee income had driven annual pre-tax profit up in 2014. In the year ended 31 December, pre-tax profit rose 6.2% to £46.3m, while revenue edged up 0.79% to £572.1m on the back of income fees rising 2.6% to £505m. "Once again our business model del
Read morePanmure Gordon picks out "most vulnerable" UK dividends
18th Feb 2015 13:27
Panmure Gordon has warned of "storm clouds on the horizon" for income investors as corporate payouts reach "unsustainable" levels and has picked out several FTSE 350 companies where dividends appear particularly vulnerable. Although the UK economy has begun 2015 in rude health, the broker pointed ou
Read morePanmure highlights improving newsflow for construction stocks
17th Feb 2015 08:14
Panmure Gordon has maintained an 'overweight' position on UK construction stocks on the back of an improving outlook, as it highlighted SIG as its top pick in the sector. "Architects billings growth (ONS data), project awards data (Barbour Index) and construction employment vacancies point to a heal
Read moreRPS buys Klotz Associates for $24.1m
13th Feb 2015 11:18
RPS has bought Klotz Associates, a US consultancy providing engineering, planning and environmental services, for $24.1m. Klotz, based in Texas, works primarily on projects associated with transport, water and land development, primarily to public sector clients. "We anticipate Wayne Klotz and his
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: CRH, RPS Group
3rd Feb 2015 09:00
London-listed building materials group CRH has stepped in to scoop up the assets which rivals Holcim and Lafarge were forced to discard in order to obtain the green light from Brussels for their own merger. The company believes it is purchasing those assets at the bottom of the cycle for its sector
Read moreMonday broker round-up
15th Dec 2014 09:29
Ashtead Group: Berenberg raises target price from 1170p to 1345p and keeps its 'buy' recommendation. Aviva: Citi increases target price from 590p to 620p and maintains a 'buy' recommendation. Bellway: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 1760p to 1778p and reiterates its 'hold' recommendation. Berk
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