London open: Banks lead modest advance
14th Nov 2011 08:42
Stocks edge higher, with banks to the fore, though sentiment has been dampened by a gloomy prognosis on the UK jobs market from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). The CIPD predicts that "the employment situation will get worse for the rest of the year, while medium-term pr
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks on the front foot
14th Nov 2011 07:29
London is set to pick up where it left off at Friday's close, with City sources predicting the FTSE 100 will open up 31 points from yesterday's close of 5,545. Broadcaster ITV said total external revenues in the first nine months of 2011 were up 4% at £1,515m from £1,456m in the corresponding peri
Read moreArcher Capital sues Sage over MYOB
14th Nov 2011 07:12
Accountancy software titan Sage is being sued by Archer Capital for damages following the termination of discussions between Sage and Archer relating to the potential purchase of MYOB. Sage has released a statement saying it "strongly rejects" the claim, which it understands to be in the region of
Read moreBroker tips: Barclays, Homeserve, Sage
31st Oct 2011 12:13
Nomura has reiterated its buy call on banking giant Barclays, after the firm's third quarter results came in ahead of expectations. The broker notes that Barclay's traditional banking operations drove the third quarter beat, and while Barclays Capital was weak, figures were in line with forecasts a
Read moreBroker snap: UBS downgrades Sage to neutral
31st Oct 2011 11:57
UBS has downgraded accountancy software firm Sage from buy to neutral, saying that there are few catalysts for the stock in the near future. "[Shares] are still 6% below their 2011 highs but we see limited catalysts near-term, with the buyback likely to provide downside protection but little more.
Read moreUPDATE: Monday broker round-up
31st Oct 2011 10:17
Homeserve: Citi retains sell, cuts target to 400p from 430p. Virgin Media: Citi stays at buy, lowers target to $32 from $35.7. Homeserve: Credit Suisse downgrades from outperform to neutral, target cut from 570p to 485p. Removes from small and medium cap Focus list. JJB Sports: Panmure Gordon d
Read moreSage sells healthcare biz to fund buybacks
22nd Sep 2011 07:49
Accountancy software titan Sage is to get shot of its Sage Software Healthcare subsidiary for $320m (£205m), and use the money to finance a share buyback. The business, which offers practice management and electronic health record solutions to US physician practices, is being sold to Vista Equity P
Read moreLondon close: Autonomy movement helps limit losses
19th Aug 2011 16:38
Stocks finished in the red heading into the weekend but off their daily lows, having bounced back into the blue from heavy losses earlier on. Today's standout stock was Autonomy rocketed by over 75% in early trading after US computing giant Hewlett-Packard made a recommended offer for the Cambridge
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds and RBS fall again as FTSE 100 slides
19th Aug 2011 12:03
The leading share index is stuck below the 5,000 point mark amid continuing worries over the global economic situation. Banks Lloyds and RBS are suffering hefty losses again as is IAG, the owner of British Airways. But shares in Autonomy rocketed by over 75% in early trading after US computing gi
Read moreLondon open: Autonomy bucks trend as Footsie tumbles
19th Aug 2011 08:27
The Footsie tumbled over 1% in the opening minutes on Friday, despite a surge by software giant Autonomy. However, Autonomy was just one of the four lone stocks making gains, as the blue chip index looks set to fall below the 5,000 mark. Shares in Autonomy rocketed by over 75% in early trading afte
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Savills, Soco, Sage...
19th Aug 2011 06:47
The last time we looked at the Savills, we opted to buy, reasoning that its international reach, coupled with exposure to the resilient upper end of the UK market, gave it an edge. Yesterday's half-yearly results confirmed our confidence. The group said revenues in the six months to the end of June
Read moreLondon close: Financials drag Footsie lower
17th Aug 2011 16:46
Following a steep decline early on, the blue chip index staged a partial recovery on the back of a positive start on Wall Street. Nevertheless, the Footsie still finished in the red, as losses for financial stocks outweighed gains in the mining sector. Meanwhile, it was revealed today that all nine
Read moreSage confirms MYOB bid speculation
16th Aug 2011 15:03
Accountancy software firm Sage has confirmed that it is considering acquiring Australian peer MYOB. A report by Reuters earlier today said that Sage Group has placed a final bid for MYOB, adding that it could be sold for as much as US $1bn (£610m). "The Sage Group notes the press speculation regar
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slump after giving up rally
27th Jul 2011 16:49
Stocks finished deep in the red, giving up an earlier rally, after a poor showing on Wall Street. Energy supplier Scottish & Southern Energy suffered after going ex-dividend. Meanwhile, sector peer Centrica also fell, albeit by a lesser extent, after utilities firm British Gas (owned by Centrica)
Read moreSector movers: Software surges, electricals ease
27th Jul 2011 15:09
Software stocks are hot today following updates from big hitters Sage and Autonomy. Accountancy software titan Sage said it has continued to deliver good growth despite an uncertain economic backdrop, and full year results should be in line with the board's expectations. Data search software giant
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