WH Smith squeezing margin growth despite sales declines
13th Jun 2013 07:38
Retailer WH Smith saw sales continue to slide as it began the second half of its financial year despite the continuation of its store-opening programme. Total group sales at the stationary-to-books-to-cigarattes retailer fell 5.0% in the 14 weeks since 1st March. Like-for-like (LFL) sales were
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
20th May 2013 08:32
Alent: Credit Suisse initiates with a target price of 430p and an outperform rating. Amlin: Morgan Stanley ups target price from 428p to 469p, while maintaining an overweight rating. Anite: Espirito Santo cuts target price from 180p to 165p retaining a buy recommendation. Ashtead Group: UBS takes
Read moreSector movers: Retailers under the weather as snow hits sales in March
18th Apr 2013 15:11
Retail stocks were under pressure on Thursday as the recent terrible weather weighed heavily on retail sales figures, as evidenced by the fall in half-year profits at High Street giant Debenhams. UK retail sales volumes dropped by 0.7% in March, worse than the 0.6% decline forecast, as the snow pro
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
15th Apr 2013 09:50
African Barrick Gold: Citigroup cuts target price from 267p to 175p and keeps its sell recommendation. African Minerals: Goldman Sachs lowers target price from 420p to 410p keeping a buy recommendation. Citigroup moves target price from 440p to 430p and retains a buy recommendation. Anglo American
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Ashmore rises on strong Q3
11th Apr 2013 15:51
Ashmore was a high riser after reporting that assets under management (AuM) increased by 9.4 per cent in the third quarter as it attracted funds from government clients. The news also gave sector peer Man Group a lift. Recruitment company Hays was also higher after it said it expects full-year op
Read moreWH Smith's Chairman resigns as profits rise
11th Apr 2013 07:40
WH Smith on Thursday reported a five per cent rise in half-year pre-tax profit driven by strong performance of its travel division. At the same time the books and stationary retailer announced the retirement of Chairman Walker Boyd. He will step down on August 31st and be succeeded by Henry Staunto
Read moreThursday preview: M&S and WH Smith to report
10th Apr 2013 15:06
Marks & Spencer will be in the spotlight on Thursday morning as it unveils its fourth-quarter sales figures. Analysts at Nomura warned that like-for-like (LFL) clothing sales could be down as much as 6.0% despite a 3.5% rise in LFL food sales. Total LFL sales will drop 1.3%, the first decline si
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
4th Apr 2013 07:32
Aviva: Bank of America cuts target price from 350p to 335p, while its neutral rating remains unchanged. Barratt Developments: Credit Suisse revises target price from 223p to 317p, while staying with its neutral rating. Bellway: Credit Suisse moves target price from 1202p to 1639p and leaves its ou
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Mar 2013 07:41
Abbey Protection: Numis downgrades to hold with its target price at 120p. Aberdeen Asset Management: Bank of America raises target price from 425p to 455p keeping a neutral rating. JP Morgan moves target price from 498p to 532p, while its overweight rating remains unchanged. Exane BNP ups target pr
Read moreSector movers: M&S bid speculation lifts retailers higher
18th Mar 2013 15:33
Increased M&A speculation on the High Street boosted the general retail sector higher on Monday, with department store Marks & Spencer (M&S) surging after a rumoured takeover bid by Qatar. M&S's shares rose as much as 9.0% in early trading after The Sunday Times reported that the Qatar Investment A
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
24th Jan 2013 08:20
Ashtead Group: Jefferies raises target price from 450p to 525p and keeps a buy recommendation. Aviva: Berenberg cuts target price from 480p to 470p, while retaining a hold recommendation. JP Morgan revises target price from 424p to 443p and maintains an overweight rating. Barr (AG): Societe Genera
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Land Securities, Randgold Resources, WH Smith
24th Jan 2013 06:55
Yesterday's trading statement from Land Securities, although light on financials, showed that lettings of its development portfolio were moving in the right direction. The shares, after a mild underperformance so far this year, trade on about a six per cent discount to the latest net asset figure. G
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks hold on to gains, but markets cautious
23rd Jan 2013 11:38
The mood on the stock markets was cautious on Wednesday morning as traders digested a barrage of economic announcements, corporate earnings and a key speech by David Cameron. The FTSE 100 managed to stay in positive territory after a strong start, albeit only just. UK Prime Minister David Cameron's
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise ahead of US debt-ceiling vote
23rd Jan 2013 08:28
Well-received earnings from some Wall-Street heavyweights were boosting market sentiment on Wednesday morning, with London's FTSE 100 making moderate gains early on. Both Google and IBM impressed the US market late last night with better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. Markets will likely be
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Jan 2013 07:05
Aberdeen Asset Management: Societe Generale downgrades to hold, while its target price of 375p is not altered. Amara Mining: Investec reduces target price from 89p to 83p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Associated British Foods: Jefferies raises target price from 1365p to 1650p keeping a hold
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