Broker tips: Barclays, Smith & Nephew, Pearson, Ophir
25th Apr 2014 12:32
Investec has maintained a positive stance on Barclays, recommending investors to 'buy' the stock ahead of the bank's first-quarter results and 'Strategic Update' next month. "For a 'cheap' stock, you don't actually need that much to drive a reasonable share price reaction. We think the 'absence of
Read moreCS highlights impact from Zimmer-Biomet deal at Smith & Nephew
25th Apr 2014 11:41
Credit Suisse has reiterated its 'neutral' recommendation for medical devices group Smith & Nephew, highlighting the pros and cons with the recent consolidation in the wider industry. Sector peer Zimmer announced plans on Thursday to buy orthopaedic products firm Biomet for $13.35bn. Through the a
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ends above 6,700 after strong US tech performance
24th Apr 2014 16:59
- FTSE ends 28.26 points higher at 6,703 - Easter retail sales rise - Ukraine kills militants, EU ponders Crimea sanctions techMARK 2,759.85 +0.65% FTSE 100 6,703.00 +0.42% FTSE 250 15,991.77 +0.01% The FTSE 100 closed above the key psychological barrier of 6,700, lifted by better-than-expected r
Read moreSector movers: Healthcare stocks rise as M&A fever continues
24th Apr 2014 15:41
Global M&A activity gave stocks in the healthcare equipment and services a boost on Thursday, with Smith & Nephew rising strongly after a takeover bid for sector peer Biomet. US artificial joint maker Zimmer Holdings announced today that it would buy orthopaedic products group Biomet in a deal valu
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca leads after revenue beats expectations
24th Apr 2014 14:33
AstraZeneca rose on the back of better-than-expected revenue growth of three per cent in the first quarter, driven by the pharmaceutical company's diabetes franchise. Shares were up despite earnings falling more than expected. AstraZeneca's share price surged earlier this week on speculation it coul
Read moreZimmer Holdings to acquire rival Biomet for 13bn dollars
24th Apr 2014 14:22
Zimmer Holdings, the US maker of artificial joints, has agreed to purchase rival orthopedic-device maker Biomet in a cash-and-stock deal valued at 13.4bn dollars. Biomet's parent, Biomet Group, had been planning an initial public offering. The news has propelled stock in UK rival Smith&Nephew 4%
Read moreLondon open: Pharma M&A gives UK stocks a lift
22nd Apr 2014 08:59
- FTSE 100 at highest since April 4th - Astra jumps on Pfizer takeover speculation - GSK announces massive three-part deal with Novartis techMARK 2,729.51 +1.85% FTSE 100 6,683.16 +0.87% FTSE 250 16,031.64 +0.78% Strong gains from heavyweight pharmaceutical groups gave UK markets a boost on Tuesd
Read moreLondon close: Stocks end higher after choppy session
28th Mar 2014 16:59
- FTSE ends session up 27.26 at 6,615.58 - Insurance slide, miners climb - UK Q4 current account deficit bigger than expected techMARK 2,762.30 -0.03% FTSE 100 6,615.58 +0.41% FTSE 250 16,181.71 -0.13% The week ended on a positive note for UK stocks as they tracked gains seen Stateside and a posit
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Insurers and miners at polar ends of index
28th Mar 2014 14:45
Insurance groups were hit by the news the FCA is planning to look into 30m insurance policies sold between the 1970s and 2000 on the back of concerns that they may have contained 'unfair' terms continue to push insurance companies sharply lower. The policies are reportedly worth 150bn pounds. The
Read moreLondon midday: Markets erase gains as insurance stocks tank
28th Mar 2014 12:02
- Insurers drop sharply on FCA investigation reports - Miners edge higher - Chinese Premier hints at more stimulus techMARK 2,767.34 +0.16% FTSE 100 6,590.41 +0.03% FTSE 250 16,181.96 -0.12% The FTSE 100 was trading more or less flat by Friday lunchtime after erasing earlier gains as heavy losses
Read moreInvestec upgrades Smith & Nephew, sees upside through break-up
28th Mar 2014 09:18
Investec has lifted its recommendation for Smith & Nephew from 'add' to 'buy' and hiked its target price by a third, saying that the medical equipment maker is "beginning to look like a growth stock again". The broker estimates an earnings per share compound annual growth rate of over 10% over the
Read moreG4S Chief Financial Officer shows support after poor full-year results
13th Mar 2014 16:00
Himanshu Raja, the Chief Financial Officer of troubled security giant G4S has given a show of support for the ailing company following news of its loss-making year, with the purchase of 50,000 shares. The deal was made Wednesday, when the group revealed it had swung to a statutory pre-tax loss of
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Imagination, Premier Oil, Smith&Nephew
7th Feb 2014 07:11
Shares of Imagination Technologies jumped on Thursday after it confirmed that Apple had opted to extend a long-running trading relationship with the firm which dates all the way back to 2007. The collaboration is an odd one, not least because the US outfit has an almost 9% stake in the firm. It bu
Read moreSector movers: Mobile telecoms, healthcare stocks rise as results impress
6th Feb 2014 14:02
The mobile telecoms and healthcare categories were putting in decent performances on Thursday in London after results from sector heavyweights Vodafone and Smith & Nephew impressed. Vodafone gained 2.4% in afternoon trade after revenues declined by a less-than-expected 3.6% in the third quarter to
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Vodafone, Smith & Nephew rise as results beat forecasts
6th Feb 2014 12:51
Telecoms giant Vodafone gained on Thursday after third-quarter revenue declined by a less-than-expected 3.6 per cent. Chief Executive Vittorio Colao also said he was optimistic that sales trends would begin to improve. Medical equipment manufacturer Smith & Nephew also beat analysts' forecasts as i
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