London pre-open: Europe expected to pare back Monday's losses
25th Aug 2015 07:20
(ShareCast News) - City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 56 points higher than Monday's close of 5,898.87. Following a volatile US session, Tuesday may see a let up in the wave of selling in recent days, CMC Markets UK chief market analyst Michael Hewson said. "Despite this prospect of furthe
Read moreRSA Insurance surges after receiving revised 550p a share offer from Zurich
25th Aug 2015 07:14
(ShareCast News) - Shares in RSA Insurance surged after the company said it has received a revised proposal from Zurich Insurance regarding a possible all cash offer for the company at 550p per share. Under the terms of the proposal, which came in just before the expiry of a takeover panel deadline,
Read moreZurich Insurance said to have asked RSA for more time to table bid
24th Aug 2015 10:26
(ShareCast News) - Zurich Insurance has reportedly asked its bid target RSA for more time to come up with a formal offer for the London-listed company after the two sides made progress on the prospective deal over the weekend. The Financial Times cited people familiar with the matter as saying that
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Old Mutual, housebuilders rally, but miners under the cosh
6th Aug 2015 14:47
(ShareCast News) - London's FTSE 100 index was down 0.2% at 6,740 at 15:00 BST as investors took in 'Super Thursday', which saw the Bank of England deliver its interest-rate decision, minutes and Inflation Report all on the same day. Diversified South African financial group Old Mutual was the stand
Read moreRSA Insurance profits surge and dividend reinstated as Zurich confirms interest
6th Aug 2015 07:15
(ShareCast News) - First half profits rocketed and the dividend was reinstated at RSA Insurance Group, with most key measures of performance surging, which may force giant suitor Zurich to make an improved takeover offer. Operating profit rose 84% to £259m and pre-tax profit more than fourfold to £2
Read moreLondon pre-open: All eyes on BoE on Super Thursday
6th Aug 2015 07:07
(ShareCast News) - The Footsie is being called to start the session lower ahead of an eventful Thursday session, with the Bank of England to announce its policy decision while simultaneously releasing the minutes of its policy meeting, as well as publishing its quarterly Inflation Report. FTSE 100 i
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: RSA valuation, City Airport, Virgin Media
6th Aug 2015 06:46
(ShareCast News) - Zurich's advisers are weighing up a lower than expected offer to take over the British insurer RSA. Advisers for the Swiss insurance group are said to be basing their preparations for a bid at about 525p per share, working from consensus estimates of RSA's earning potential. - The
Read moreLondon close: Weak China and US PMIs send FTSE lower
3rd Aug 2015 17:08
(ShareCast News) - Worse-than-expected manufacturing data in the US and China sent the FTSE lower at close on Monday. China's Caixin purchasing managers' index (PMI) on manufacturing activity, which was previously sponsored by HSBC, declined to a two-year low of 47.7 from June's 49.4 on a 100-point
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Intertek surges on first-half numbers but miners slump on China woes
3rd Aug 2015 16:40
(ShareCast News) - London's top-flight index was down 0.3% at 6,676 by 15:55 BST, as worries about a slowdown in China put pressure on the heavily-weighted mining sector. It wasn't all bad, though, with several bright spots on the corporate front. Intertek surged after posting a 16% rise in first-ha
Read moreRSA Insurance gains on reports Zurich is looking for financing
3rd Aug 2015 10:15
(ShareCast News) - Shares in RSA Insurance rose on Monday following weekend press reports that the company's board is looking for a 600p per share bid from Zurich Insurance, and that it will look present a strong case for the group at first-half results on 6 August. Reports over the weekend also sug
Read moreZurich Insurance says any bid for RSA would be in cash
29th Jul 2015 15:11
(ShareCast News) - Zurich Insurance said on Wednesday that if an offer is made for RSA Insurance it would most likely be in cash. "Zurich Insurance confirms that it is likely that any offer, if made, will be solely in cash," the company said in a statement. This follows on from its announcement on
Read moreLondon close: Investors play it safe ahead of Fed meeting
28th Jul 2015 17:56
(ShareCast News) - The selling pressure let up ahead of the start of a two-day policy meeting from the US Federal Reserve, with some investors braced in case the post-meeting statement sprang any surprises. The FTSE 100 finished the session higher by 0.77% to the 6,555.28 mark, alongside a similar b
Read moreBroker tips: Centrica, RSA Insurance, Aveva
28th Jul 2015 17:09
(ShareCast News) - Investec upgraded shares of Centrica to 'buy' from 'hold' and raised its price target to 300p from 250p for two reasons. Firstly, it said fear of a potential 'black sky' restructuring of the UK energy sector has now abated. Secondly, an imminent strategy day gives Centrica the cha
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: RSA rockets, Hikma higher
28th Jul 2015 14:35
(ShareCast News) - London's primary index was holding onto its gain by mid-afternoon on Tuesday, boosted by deals and deal talk. At 1415 BST, the FTSE 100 was up 0.81% to 6,557.62, with only a dozen of the blue chip constituents in the red. As soon as markets opened, RSA Insurance moved to the top
Read moreCanaccord ups RSA Insurance to 'buy', cites possible bid from Zurich Insurance
28th Jul 2015 14:08
(ShareCast News) - With a potential bid now on the cards, Canaccord Genuity raised its rating on RSA Insurance to 'buy' from 'sell' and upped the target price to 500p from 385p, which is a 10% discount to the offer price that's been talked about. Zurich Insurance announced on Tuesday that it was wei
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