London open: Stocks inch towards two-week high ahead of US data
29th May 2014 08:51
- Smith & Nephew up as M&A speculation continues - Kingfisher disappoints with Q1 results - FTSE 100 on track to hit two-week high - Chinese stimulus, US GDP in focus - Rates to rise "sooner rather than later", says MPC's Weale techMARK 2,803.00 +0.11% FTSE 100 6,866.03 +0.22% FTSE 250 15,947.93 +0
Read moreLondon close: Investors tread carefully ahead of record highs
28th May 2014 17:18
- Eurozone money supply weak, German unemployment rises - Markets cautious after recent highs - LSE leads financials higher - GSK to be investigated by UK fraud body techMARK 2,799.81 +0.48% FTSE 100 6,851.22 +0.09% FTSE 250 15,935.43 +0.58% UK stocks ended slightly higher after trading in a narr
Read moreStryker denies rumoured takeover offer for Smith & Nephew
28th May 2014 15:14
US medical devices maker Stryker has responded to media speculation by saying it is not looking to buy UK-listed peer Smith & Nephew, bringing shares in the latter back down to earth after an earlier surge. The comments followed a Financial Times article on Wednesday afternoon which suggested Stryk
Read moreSector movers: M&A continues to lift healthcare stocks as Smith & Nephew jumps
28th May 2014 15:14
Healthcare stocks were at the top of the pile on Wednesday on the back of continued M&A activity in the sector, with UK-listed medical device maker Smith & Nephew in focus on reports of bid interest from overseas. The Financial Times reported today that US group Stryker had hired banks and was work
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Royal Mail slides on broker rating cut
28th May 2014 14:58
Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated its 'sell' rating on Royal Mail, and cut its target price from 500p to 480p, pushing the stock into the bottom spot. Engineering group Weir fell after announcing it has dropped its pursuit to merge with Metso after continued rejections from the board of the Finnish riva
Read moreSmith & Nephew shares jump on Stryker bid rumours
28th May 2014 14:23
Smith & Nephew shares surged on Wednesday afternoon on the back of reports that US medical device manufacturer Stryker is readying a takeover offer for its UK rival. According to the Financial Times which cited people close to the matter, Stryker has hired banks and is working on the funding for a
Read moreSmith & Nephew reports Q1 profit drop
1st May 2014 07:36
- First quarter profit slips - US patients move procedures to previous quarter - Remains confident in 2014 outlook Medical technology business Smith & Nephew said underlying trading profit fell five per cent but remains confident in its 2014 outlook as its pipeline continues to roll out new product
Read moreBroker 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
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