WH Smith reports decline in sales
23rd Jan 2013 07:02
British retailer WH Smith met analysts' forecasts Wednesday as it reported a decline in sales for the holiday season. The FTSE 250 company, which sells stationary, newspapers and books, said total sales were down 4.0% and like-for-like sales tumbled 5.0% for the 20 weeks to January 20th, according
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: WH Smith rises on upgrade
21st Jan 2013 15:18
WH Smith rose after Numis upgraded the stock to add with a target price of 710p. Ocado was a strong riser, extending last week's gains following a 70% rise in sales over the festive period. Stobart was also higher after announcing a change of hands at the top. Non-Executive Chairman of the UK-bas
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
21st Jan 2013 07:02
Abbey Protection: Numis increases target price from 90p to 120p and upgrades to add. Admiral: Goldman Sachs upgrades to buy from neutral, raising its price target to 1500p from 1160p before. Aggreko: Bank of America lowers target price from 2700p to 1950p and downgrades to neutral. Anglo Americ
Read moreLondon close: Markets start 2013 in bullish mood
3rd Jan 2013 17:03
- Footsie jumps 150 points in two days - Markets react to mixed economic data - UK 10-year bond yields above two per cent London's blue-chip index was able to build on Wednesday's massive surge today in the aftermath of the fiscal cliff deal Stateside on New Year's Day. Market analyst Michael Hews
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Fresh blood for Chemring
3rd Jan 2013 15:50
Defence firm Chemring was one of the top risers after its Chief Executive put boots on the ground in the form of new directors of finance and human resources. Investec has reiterated its 'buy' rating and 280p target price for Chemring, highlighting Thursday's appointment of new FD Steve Bowers. "
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
14th Dec 2012 08:09
Anglo American: UBS reduces target price from 2150p to 1860p and downgrades to neutral. JP Morgan reiterates underweight. BG Group: Barclays reduces target price from 1490p to 1450p, while reiterating an overweight rating. BP: Barclays cuts target price from 500p to 480p and keeps an underweight r
Read moreThursday Broker round-up UPDATE
15th Nov 2012 07:21
AMEC: Nomura raises target price from 1240p to 1340p, buy rating remains unchanged. Barclays Capital reduces target price from 1350p to 1320p, underweight rating kept. Atkins (WS): Investec reduces target price from 727p to 700p, hold recommendation maintained. Barr AG: UBS raises target price fro
Read moreMargins up, sales down at WH Smith
14th Nov 2012 07:32
Newsagent chain WH Smith has got off to a subdued start to its new financial year, with sales down year-on-year, though margins continue to harden. Total sales in the 10 weeks since September 1st were down 3% year-on-year, while like-for-like (LFL) sales were down 4%. The group has become used to s
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Pearson, Bank of England, Tesco
7th Nov 2012 07:16
Pearson, the FTSE 100 media group, is planning to explore a sale of the financial daily newspaper within months, Bloomberg reported, so that the company can focus on its fast-growing education division. Dame Majorie Scardino, the chief executive of Pearson, once said famously that the FT would be so
Read moreMonday broker round-up
15th Oct 2012 09:33
Anglo American: Goldman Sachs downgrades to sell. Antofagasta: Goldman Sachs downgrades to neutral, target cut from 1,150p to 1,100p. Asian Plantations: Panmure Gordon cuts target from 400p to 380p, buy rating kept. AVEVA: Panmure Gordon keeps hold rating and 1,878p target. Bellzone Mining: Gold
Read moreLondon close: Footsie thunders ahead
11th Oct 2012 16:54
Better than expected US jobless figures gave a little early afternoon boost to a London market already going along nicely, as investors shrugged off a downgrade of Spain's credit rating by S&P, leaving the Iberian nation's debt status barely above a junk rating. Initial weekly unemployment claims d
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Bumi leaps on Bakrie offer
11th Oct 2012 16:08
Shares in Indonesia-focused mining giant Bumi leapt after major shareholder, the Bakrie Group, tabled an offer that could end their turbulent relationship. Bakrie wants to swap its stake in the group for a stake of equivalent value in Bumi Resources. The group has been the subject of a board room
Read moreLondon midday: Bumi booming on back of buy-out proposal
11th Oct 2012 11:51
London enjoyed a solid morning sparked by a return to favour of stock market darling Burberry, the luxury fashion chain. Burberry, which issued a profit warning last month, confirmed like-for-like (LFL) sales growth in its stores slowed dramatically in the July-September quarter, but the good news
Read moreLondon open: Burberry back in fashion
11th Oct 2012 08:51
London has, for once, decided not to dance to Wall Street's tune and has opened little changed, despite the shake-out yesterday stateside. Another credit ratings downgrade for troubled economy Spain has also been shrugged off. In company news, Burberry, the luxury fashion chain which issued a profi
Read moreSwann-song hits WH Smith
11th Oct 2012 07:28
Kate Swann, who has been key in steering WH Smith through tough markets in recent years, is to step down as Chief Executive at the retailer. She will leave the company on June 30th 2013 after nine years as boss and will be replaced by Steve Clarke, Managing Director of the firm's high street busine
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