Broker tips: Lloyds, Weir, BSkyB...
1st May 2014 13:00
Most of Lloyds' key financial metrics continued to 'appreciate measurably' in the first quarter, according to Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers. "Lloyds is often seen as a proxy for the UK economy, and although they are inextricably linked, both are beginning to prosper after a long period of auster
Read moreLondon midday: Lloyds leads UK markets to two-month high
1st May 2014 11:34
- Lloyds, BSkyB, BG Group and Schroders gain - UK manufacturing activity at five-month high - Fed sticks with taper despite weak Q1 growth techMARK 2,774.45 -0.22% FTSE 100 6,797.46 +0.26% FTSE 250 15,812.19 -0.03% Well-received updates from Lloyds, BSkyB, BG Group and Schroders and upbeat UK manu
Read moreWorst may not be over for Serco shareholders, says Cantor Fitzgerald
1st May 2014 09:55
Cantor Fitzgerald has said that the scale of the profit warning by outsourcing group Serco is 'surprising', as it reiterated its 'sell' recommendation for the stock. Serco announced late on Wednesday that it plans to raise £170m from an emergency placing to strengthen its balance sheet. Year-to-da
Read moreLondon pre-open: Modest rise expected following FOMC statement
1st May 2014 07:40
The City is set to edge higher early on, tracking gains in the US last night which came after the much anticipated statement from the Federal Reserve, which held steady on its policy course with a few breezily positive remarks leading to a positive finish Stateside. Sources predict the FTSE 100 wi
Read moreSerco plans 170m pound emergency placing, downgrades EPS 37 per cent - UPDATE
30th Apr 2014 20:43
Embattled government outsourcing group Serco announced late on after London markets closed on Wednesday that it planned to raise around 170m pounds to strengthen its balance sheet. Year-to-date performance has been weaker than expected, with the company forced to warn on full year profits on Monda
Read moreSerco CFO hands in resignation in wake of emergency fundraising
30th Apr 2014 20:33
Serco, the embattled government outsourcing services provider, has received the resignation of its long-standing Chief Financial Officer Andrew Jenner as it announced an emergency fundraising to bolster its balance sheet. Jenner, 44 years old, has been in the role since 2002 and will remain as CFO
Read moreLondon close: FTSE higher on GDP data, reports of Russian pull-back
29th Apr 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 69.75 points at 6,769.91 - Q1 GDP rises 0.8 per cent - Tensions ease in Eastern Europe techMARK 2,791.25 +0.74% FTSE 100 6,769.91 +1.04% FTSE 250 15,896.64 +0.44% It was an upbeat finish for UK stocks today, with financial companies leading the way on the back of strong UK gross d
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Telecity jumps after strong Q1, Serco slides
29th Apr 2014 15:46
Telecity rose to the top spot after posting a strong first-quarter trading update. The Europe-focused data centre provider said that organic currency-neutral revenue growth was 9.4 per cent for the period from January 1st to date, compared with 6.8 per cent in 2013. Broker Numis maintained a 'buy' r
Read moreBroker tips: BP, AstraZeneca, Serco, Telecity
29th Apr 2014 12:48
Investec kept a 'hold' stance on oil major BP, but said that the company's first-quarter trading update showed a 'solid start to the year'. "We do not expect any major changes to either our forecasts or consensus. BP is trading broadly in line with the sector which, given current Russian risk, look
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE at eight-week high on UK data, M&A speculation
29th Apr 2014 11:26
- FTSE 100 at highest since March 6th - UK GDP picks up, economic sentiment rises - Serco plummets after profit warning - Shire gains on potential takeover from Allergan techMARK 2,805.40 +1.25% FTSE 100 6,745.78 +0.68% FTSE 250 15,903.02 +0.49% A decent improvement in UK economic data and continu
Read moreSerco's road to recovery likely to be long, says Cantor Fitzgerald
29th Apr 2014 10:19
Cantor Fitzgerald has said that another profit warning from Serco is 'highly concerning' and believes that the road to recovery is likely to be a long one for the outsourcing group. In an unexpected statement released after the close on Monday, Serco said that trading since the start of the year ha
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise as Russia tensions ease, but Serco drops
29th Apr 2014 08:38
- FTSE 100 at highest since March 6th - Russia-West tensions ease slightly - UK GDP data expected to show stronger growth - Serco drops after profit warning techMARK 2,801.27 +1.10% FTSE 100 6,729.00 +0.43% FTSE 250 15,909.99 +0.53% UK stock markets opened strongly on Tuesday, tracking a late rebo
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to rise ahead of busy session
29th Apr 2014 07:40
The City is set for an upbeat start today, with stocks tracking gains seen in the US last night ahead of a busy day of economic data and following yesterday's close above the psychologically important level of 6,700. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 18 points above yesterday's cl
Read moreSerco issues profit warning
29th Apr 2014 07:04
- Another profit warning after trading deteriorates - May have to raise capital through share placing - Will issue further update this week FTSE-250 support services firm Serco has issued a fresh profit warning and indicated it may have to raise capital through a share placing just days before new
Read moreG4S and Serco criticised by MPs for asylum contracts
24th Apr 2014 11:15
Government outsourcing deals to G4S and Serco have been harshly criticised by a powerful group of MPs. The contracts to run asylum centres were outsourced to the pair in 2012 despite neither having experience in running such schemes, as well as Clearel, a joint venture between Clearsprings and Rel
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