London midday: Shares tread water amid Greek political woes
29th Dec 2014 11:41
London shares struggled to match the gains made during last week's Santa rally as Greek political turmoil threatened to trigger a fresh bout of Eurozone uncertainty. The FTSE 100 Index was 7.98 points higher at 6,617.91 just past midday in London after Athens lawmakers failed to elect a new presiden
Read moreLondon open: Miners lead gains on Chinese liquidity moves
29th Dec 2014 08:58
UK stocks registered slight gains ahead of the final vote in the Greek parliament to choose a new president later on Monday morning. At 09:08 the Footsie was 12.4 points higher at 6,622.33. Should Greece's ruling coalition not garner the 180 votes needed for its presidential candidate to be chosen,
Read moreLondon close: Stocks inch higher in shortened session as Santa Rally continues
24th Dec 2014 12:46
The UK stock market closed a half-session in positive territory on Christmas Eve to extend its winning streak into the seventh straight day. With trading volumes low - many European markets were already closed for Christmas - London stocks were rangebound for most of the session as investors refrain
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise for seventh straight session ahead of Christmas break
24th Dec 2014 11:21
The UK stock market looked set to record its seventh straight day in positive territory on Christmas Eve, with just an hour to go before the end of a shortened session. The FTSE 100 was up just 0.1% at 6,603 by midday, trading within a narrow range as investors refrained from taking on too much risk
Read moreLondon open: Stocks edge higher on ahead of Christmas, Smith & Nephew jumps
24th Dec 2014 08:26
UK stocks posted their seventh straight day of gains on Wednesday, though upside was modest with markets winding down on a shortened Christmas Eve session. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 6,608 early on, having finished Tuesday at a two-week closing high of 6,598.18. With very few catalysts expect
Read moreSmith & Nephew surges as rumours resurface about Stryker takeover bid
24th Dec 2014 08:06
Shares in Smith & Nephew surged in London on Wednesday on the back of rumours that US surgical implants group Stryker Corp could return to the table to launch a takeover offer within weeks. Stryker's chief executive had said back in May that the company had been evaluating a bid for its UK rival tha
Read moreSector movers: Defensive pharma stocks fall as Santa Rally continues
23rd Dec 2014 16:18
Pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks were leading the fallers on Tuesday as investors dumped defensive assets amid a continued pre-Christmas rally. UK stocks have risen for six straight days as markets rebounded strongly following a recent sell-off. While more cyclical sectors such as construction
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher and Centrica boosted by disposals as miners dip
22nd Dec 2014 14:32
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher edged higher after agreeing to sell a controlling 70% stake in its B&Q China business to Wumei Holdings for £140m. "I am delighted to have found a strong retail partner who will help us to release the financial value of our business in China," said new boss Véron
Read moreSmith & Nephew's chief executive Bohuon slams reports of Sanofi appointment
27th Nov 2014 14:58
Smith & Nephew's shares rose after chief executive Olivier Bohuon reportedly told employees he has no intention of leaving the company following speculation that he was taking the helm of Sanofi. Bohuon told employees at a town hall meeting in Switzerland that he was "very happy" at the company, acc
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks retreat from two-month high as Petrofac, miners fall
24th Nov 2014 16:23
A wave of M&A news failed to give UK markets a boost on Monday as investors took profits after stocks hit their highest in two months the previous session. The FTSE 100 finished 0.3% lower at 6,730 with a massive drop in the share price of oilfield services firm Petrofac and weakness in the mining s
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Petrofac shares slide on profit warning
24th Nov 2014 16:05
Petrofac's share price dropped by a quarter after the group scaled back its profit assumptions, saying that depressed oil prices and the timing of deliveries will result in a weaker bottom line. The company said net profits for 2014 will be at the lower end of the guided $580m-600m range, but would
Read moreStryker said to be mulling a bid for Smith & Nephew, shares rise
24th Nov 2014 13:45
US medical technology outfit Stryker is laying the groundwork of another bid for British rival Smith & Nephew. The manufacturer of surgical implants has been in discussions with advisers regarding the possible financing of a deal and the potential anti-trust hurdles which it might face, should it pr
Read moreSix-month cooling-off period comes to an end for Astrazeneca and Smith & Nephew bidders
23rd Nov 2014 14:28
This week will see the end of the six-month cooling-off periods that followed the takeover bids made for healthcare groups Astrazeneca and Smith & Nephew. This means that their respective suitors will once again have the opportunity to put in another offer. Stryker, the US orthopaedic group that e
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
12th Nov 2014 09:07
Aberdeen: UBS lowers target price from 465p to 450p and downgrades from buy to neutral. ASOS: Societe Generale reduces target price from 5000p to 4450p, while leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. BG Group: Deutsche Bank reduces target price from 1400p to 1300p and keeps a buy recommendation.
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
5th Nov 2014 10:02
Associated British Foods: Exane raises target price from 3600p to 3700p, keeping its outperform rating. Citi reduces target price from 3200p to 3100p, while upgrading to buy. AVEVA: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1500p to 1400p and keeps a hold recommendation. Investec reduces target pric
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