Broker snap: Macro uncertainties continue in retail, says Nomura
24th Jan 2012 10:18
Nomura has maintained its neutral view on the 'European General Retail' sector, saying that while retail sales appear doing OK in January, the macroeconomic environment is still uncertain and sector valuations remain uncompelling. The broker draws attention to weekly data provided by John Lewis and
Read moreWeek Ahead: WH Smith, Aveva, MPC minutes
20th Jan 2012 09:16
With the flurry of Christmas trading updates almost over, next week is looking relatively quiet on the corporate front, with newsagent WH Smith one of the last of the household names from the retail sector to report, when it has its annual general meeting on Wednesday. In its November update WH Smi
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Domino's leads the way
4th Jan 2012 12:53
Domino's Pizza was flying high despite seeing a slow-down in year-on-year like-for-like (LFL) sales growth in the final quarter of 2012, as expected. The stock was boosted by the company's reassurance it is on target to meet full-year profit expectations. In the 13 weeks to December 25, LFL sales r
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Shaftesbury, Cineworld, Christmas shares
1st Dec 2011 07:06
The Tempus column in The Times ponders which stocks would fit into a share portfolio consisting of stocks exposed to London and the South East only, and suggests that one would be Shaftesbury, the property company whose assets consist almost entirely of shops, restaurants and bars in the West End. I
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Homeserve rises over 21%
10th Nov 2011 14:45
HomeServe rose over 21% after reporting that it has restarted its sales activity following the mis-selling scandal exposed on 31 October. However, Panmure Gordon has kept its sell rating on repair services firm saying, "The risk of mis-selling issues remains unknown but real." Panmure said it will
Read moreSales down at WH Smith
10th Nov 2011 12:47
Books and stationary retailer WH Smith has reported that its sales in the first 10 weeks of the financial year were down 3%, with like-for-like sales (LFL) down 6% compared to the same period last year. Sales at WH Smith Travel - which has outlets in airports, train stations and motorway services,
Read moreLondon midday: Italian yields fall, Experian leads recovery
10th Nov 2011 12:16
London's blue chip index has erased earlier losses to trade flat around lunchtime as Italian 10-year bond yields fell back below the critical 7% after the country's debt auction. Meanwhile, the Bank of England revealed at midday that it had kept interest rates at the record low level of 0.5%. ITALY
Read moreMorning broker round-up - UPDATE
10th Nov 2011 09:48
Experian: Citi reiterates buy with a target of 940p. Experian: Nomura reiterates buy and 867p target. Experian: Prime Markets confirms buy recommendation and 841p target. Anglo American: Citi keeps buy rating and 3,500p target. Admiral: Credit Suisse downgrades from neutral to underperform, targ
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura impressed with cost savings at WH Smith
17th Oct 2011 13:07
Nomura has increased its target price for high street stationary and books retailer WH Smith, saying that after a solid year, buybacks, better cost savings and lower tax should drive returns. Alongside the group's full year results for the 12 months to the end of August, it identified an incrementa
Read moreUPDATE: Monday broker round-up
17th Oct 2011 09:31
Fresnillo: UBS cuts target to 1,700p from 2,000p, stays at neutral. Bunzl: Singer Capital Markets downgrades from buy to fair value, target cut from 891p to 710p. Kingfisher: Singer Capital Markets raises target from 260p to 270p. Jupiter Fund Management: RBS upgrades to hold from sell, raises ta
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Booker, Hargreaves Lansdown, Dominion Petroleum...
14th Oct 2011 06:52
Cash-and-carry business Booker managed to surprise the market with its interim figures yesterday, and analysts were left upgrading their forecasts for the full year, says the Tempus column in the Times. Halfway profit before tax was 22 per cent ahead at £45 million in the 24 weeks to September 9. Th
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Renishaw drops after as disappointment
13th Oct 2011 12:58
Precision tool maker Renishaw's plummeted on Thursday after the firm admitted that revenue growth in the three months ended 30th September was lower than planned. Shares dropped over 18% after the firm said that revenues rose by just 15% in the first quarter to £70.5m, while pre-tax profit dropped
Read moreUPDATE: Thursday broker round-up
13th Oct 2011 09:42
Logica: RBS raises target from 110p to 115p and keeps buy rating. F&C Asset Management: RBS cuts target from 72p to 65p, hold rating maintained. Henderson: RBS scales back target from 183p to 170p, but keeps buy recommendation. Anglo American: Credit Suisse maintains neutral rating and 3,500p tar
Read moreProfits up but LFL sales down at WH Smith
13th Oct 2011 07:25
Newsagent WH Smith has seen like-for-like (LFL) sales drop 5% in the year to the end of August. Travel - outlets at airports, stations and bus depots - fell 3% on a LFL basis while high street sales were down 6% LFL. Total sales, which includes stores that were not open in the previous year, were d
Read moreLondon pre-open: Yesterday's gains to be surrendered
13th Oct 2011 07:21
The top-share index is set to give back most of yesterday's gains despite a firm showing last night by Wall Street and rises this morning in Asia. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open down 37 points from yesterday's close of 5,442. The market shake-out in August had a predictable effect on a
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