FTSE 250 movers: Virgin Money leads index, Saga hit by Acromas sale
28th Jul 2015 14:38
(ShareCast News) - The FTSE 250 index started strongly on Tuesday morning and held steady through the afternoon, led by encouraging results from several UK companies. London's second-line index was up 0.77% at 17,400.05 by 15:10 on Tuesday afternoon. Virgin Money's shares were the strongest perform
Read moreSaga completes acquisition of Bennetts for £26m
1st Jul 2015 07:38
Saga said on Wednesday that it has completed the acquisition of motorbike insurer Bennetts for £26.26m in cash. Bennetts, which Saga agreed to acquire from BGL Group earlier this year, provides insurance cover for more than 220,000 customers. Around half are within Saga's target demographic, allowin
Read moreSaga on track to meet annual expectations
23rd Jun 2015 10:47
Travel and insurance provider Saga said it was on track to meet its annual expectations. In a short statement released on Tuesday, the FTSE 250 group said it was also confident of reaching its strategic goals for the year to the end of January 2016, including the launch of its motor insurance panel
Read moreJPMorgan names Esure as top non-life pick, upgrades Direct Line
28th May 2015 10:08
Non-life insurers in the UK are currently struggling with tough conditions, though things should improve as motor pricing picks up, according to JPMorgan Cazenove. JPMorgan named Esure as its top pick with an 'overweight' rating, and upgraded Direct Line from 'neutral' to 'overweight'. It said that
Read moreThursday broker round-up
28th May 2015 09:44
Direct Line: JP Morgan upgrades to overweight. Admiral: JP Morgan reiterates underweight. TUI: JP Morgan stays at overweight with 1,275p target. RSA: JP Morgan ups target to 451p from 433p, keeps at neutral. SAGA: JP Morgan raises target to 207p from 185p but remains at neutral. De La Rue: JP MOrg
Read moreSaga Investment Services unveils new managing director
26th May 2015 08:19
Nicola Audhlam-Gardiner has been appointed as managing director of Saga Investment Services, the investment and financial planning business owned by Saga and Tilney Bestinvest. FTSE 250-listed Saga, which provides travel, insurance and financial services, said the new managing director will join the
Read moreSaga finance chief to retire
15th May 2015 07:08
Saga's finance chief, Stuart Howard, will retire from his post and step down from the board of directors effective 23 June, following the conclusion of the company's annual general meeting. He will be succeeded in the role at the over-50s insurance and travel firm by Jonathan Hill. Lance Batchelor,
Read moreSaga CEO buys shares after better-than-expected results
8th May 2015 15:47
The chief executive of Saga Group has purchased £30,245 worth of shares in the company which provides insurance, travel, financial services and healthcare to people over 50 years old. Lance Batchelor bought 15,392 shares at 196.50p per share on 7 May, a week after the group revealed its maiden resul
Read moreFriday tips round-up: IAG, Saga
1st May 2015 16:57
Unlike its former state-owned flag carrier rivals, the fact that IAG has carried out a radical overhaul of its legacy practices and staffing means its premium rating is well deserved. Several other tailwinds should help the airline to pull further ahead of its competitors. The company maintained its
Read moreSaga impresses with maiden results as holiday business revenues rise
30th Apr 2015 14:38
Over-50s tour operator and insurance provider Saga impressed the market with its maiden annual full-year results, driven by good performances in its motor insurance, travel and financial services. Revenues were down 4.6% to £900.5m during its first year as a listed company following its public offer
Read moreSaga acquires luxury travel firm for over-50s
13th Aug 2014 16:10
Saga on Wednesday bought a majority stake in online travel firm Destinology for an undisclosed sum. The travel and insurance company for over-50s will be able to acquire the remaining shares from the travel firm in the future. Destinology specialises in luxurious holidays to the United Arab Emira
Read moreTVC Holdings directors top up their stakes
15th Jul 2014 14:19
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of TVC Holdings have invested a combined £0.6m in the investment company this week. The AIM-listed outfit, which had assets of €101m as of March 31st, said that CEO John Tracey and CFO John Fagan both purchased around 6.13m shares
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
4th Jul 2014 12:12
Antofagasta: Morgan Stanley upgrades from underweight to equal-weight with a target price of 750p. AVEVA: Societe Generale initiates with a target price of 2650p and a buy recommendation. Balfour Beatty: Westhouse Securities cuts target price from 220p to 183p downgrading from neutral to sell. RBC
Read moreBroker tips: Tullow Oil, Saga, Pets at Home
3rd Jul 2014 12:13
Tullow Oil "now offers substantial long-term value", according to Westhouse Securities, which repeated its 'add' recommendation for the stock. "Tullow is now less an exploration-led E&P stock and more a diversified portfolio of substantial assets which are capable of delivering significant growth i
Read moreUBS takes cautious stance at Saga despite "unique exposure"
3rd Jul 2014 10:56
UBS has initiated coverage of Saga with a 'neutral' rating, saying it is cautious on near-term newsflow despite the company's "unique exposure to a growing demographic". The over 50s-focused insurance, holdings and magazine group is "one of the UK's most well-known and trusted consumer brands", UBS
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