Broker tips: BT, M&S, Rolls-Royce
24th May 2011 12:50
BT, the telecommunications titan, has had its rating upgraded by UBS after solid fourth quarter results. While underlying revenue declines matched previous quarters, the broker notes that underlying cost savings accelerated with strong savings in its core operations.Key performance indicators were
Read moreBroker snap: Few catalysts at Rolls-Royce
24th May 2011 11:55
The share price of Rolls-Royce has now reached Credit Suisse's price target of 640p, and as such, the broker downgrades its rating on the aerospace and engine giant from 'outperform' to 'neutral'. Credit Suisse attributes other factors to the ratings change, such as less potential for upgrades as p
Read moreSector movers: SSE sparks electricity sector
20th May 2011 16:33
The best performing sector on Friday was electricity, bolstered by Scottish & Southern Energy. The legion of income investors holding Scottish & Southern Energy shares were kept happy as the utility company bumped up the dividend a bit more than anticipated on the back of better than expected resul
Read moreLondon close: Late rally helped by the US
6th May 2011 16:41
The Footsie finished over 1% higher as an afternoon rally was helped by some better-than-expected US non-farm payrolls figures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, non-farm payrolls rose by 244,000 in the month of April, while consensus had been pointing to a gain of 198,000. Banking gian
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: RBS's profit impresses
6th May 2011 14:47
RBS is topping the risers after making £1.05bn in underlying first quarter operating profit, p from £0.88bn the year before. Flying higher is airline IAG after it saw an improved performance in the first quarter as it reported its first results since forming from the merger of British Airways and S
Read moreRolls-Royce to double revenues over next decade
6th May 2011 10:15
Engine developer Rolls-Royce said that it is trading in line with previous guidance, and expects sales to double over the next ten years. "The global markets that we address are starting to recover as expected and our view of the full year trading performance remains consistent with the guidance i
Read morePetroChina buys more Rolls-Royce engines
19th Apr 2011 08:06
Power systems developer Rolls-Royce has won a $65m contract from Petrochina, the largest oil and gas producer in China. The company is to provide more gas compression equipment for the West East Pipeline Project (WEPP), the world's longest natural gas pipeline, taking the number of Rolls-Royce RB21
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Portugal, interest rates, gold
7th Apr 2011 06:01
Portugal has said that it needs to ask for financial aid from the European Union. In a televised evening address to the nation, Prime Minister Jose Socrates said: "I want to inform the Portuguese that the government decided today to ask...for financial help, to ensure financing for our country, for
Read moreLondon close: M&S leads FTSE 100 higher
6th Apr 2011 16:47
London's leading share index finished with good gains Wednesday, with high street favourite Marks & Spencer the star of the show. Brokers have been queuing up today to praise the results from the bellwether of the UK retail sector after it delivered a forecast busting trading update. The company
Read moreLondon afternoon: M&S marches higher
6th Apr 2011 14:56
Brokers have been queuing up today to praise the results from Marks & Spencer after the bellwether of the UK retail sector delivered a forecast busting trading update. The high street stalwart saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, t
Read moreSector movers: M&S gives retailers a boost
6th Apr 2011 14:22
Retail giant Marks & Spencer is performing well after strong fourth quarter trading statement, providing a boost to the 'general retail' sector. Blue chips Next and Kingfisher are also higher. Peel Hunt upgraded M&S to a 'hold', from 'sell', after results from both general merchandise and food divi
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 adds to gains
6th Apr 2011 12:19
Shares have built on their early gains with the retail sector still in the driving seat. Economic news is also influencing traders. Industrial production in the United Kingdom fell by 1.2% in February, according to data published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The figures may make Bank
Read moreLondon open: Retail boost for FTSE 100
6th Apr 2011 08:08
Stocks have edged higher in early dealings, with the retail sector in focus following quarterly sales figures from Marks & Spencer that were not as bad as expected. High street stalwart M&S saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, thoug
Read moreNorwegian joins Rolls-Royce's customer list
6th Apr 2011 07:51
The airline Norwegian has ordered its first set of engines from Rolls-Royce, the engine designer. Norwegian has selected Rolls-Royce's Trent 1000 engines to power nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The Trent 1000 has been specifically designed to power Boeing's new Dreamliner aircraft and has bee
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks set to rise
6th Apr 2011 07:04
London looks set to shrug off fears about an impending end to stimulation of the US economy and open higher, with City traders predicting the top share index will open around 17 points firmer at 6,024. Minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting, released last night, showed the removal of stimu
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