London pre-open: FTSE to track US markets lower
4th Oct 2013 07:35
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 20 points lower than yesterday's close of 6,449.04, tracking US markets which finished around one per cent lower on Thursday as the government shutdown entered its third day. Markets are hoping that Congress will agree to raise the $16.7tn debt li
Read moreSerco sells UK occupational health business
4th Oct 2013 07:06
Serco, the FTSE 250 international service company, has completed the sale of its UK occupational health business, a move which forms part of the group's strategy to take a more proactive management of its portfolio. The sale was made for a consideration of £3.5m. For 2012, the financial result o
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
17th Sep 2013 08:56
Aggreko: Credit Suisse reduces target price from 2000p to 1400p and downgrades from neutral to underperform. Antofagasta: WH Ireland downgrades to neutral. Associated British Food: Nomura moves target price from 1650p to 1670p staying with its reduce rating. Aviva: Berenberg downgrades from hold
Read moreCoca-Cola HBC joins FTSE 100
12th Sep 2013 10:05
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company confirmed on Thursday it will be joining the FTSE 100 and FTSE All-Share indices. The world's second-largest Coca-Cola anchor bottler, based in Greece, will be included on the indices from close of business on September 20th. This promotion comes after the comp
Read moreSerco prisoner escort review gets underway
11th Sep 2013 09:53
Serco Group, the security company which at the end of August was forced to call police after discovering the misreporting of data by 'a small number of employees', said Wednesday that a review was now underway. The review relates specifically to Serco's Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS)
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Vodafone, Serco, Glencore
8th Sep 2013 20:09
Vodafone is considering a £6bn takeover of Africa's Maroc Telecom after agreeing to sell its stake in Verizon Wireless, the Mail on Sunday reported. The phone company is also mulling a move for France's SFR using the war chest it will have after returning cash from the Verizon deal to shareholders.
Read moreLondon midday: Markets cautious ahead of risk events, Syria action
4th Sep 2013 11:26
Traders adopted a cautious approach on Wednesday morning with UK stocks registering losses in morning trade ahead of a number of 'risk events' later in the week which have the potential to spark market volatility. Fears about impending US military action in Syria also hit investor sentiment today a
Read moreLondon open: Potential strike on Syria worries investors early on
4th Sep 2013 08:32
Stocks declined on Wednesday morning on concerns over an imminent Western military intervention in Syria, with investors also choosing to scale back positions ahead of a number of 'risk events' later on in the week. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee last night gave the green light on a US atta
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Mining companies gain on rise in commodities
2nd Sep 2013 14:45
Mining company stocks, including Rio Tinto and Anglo American, surged as commodity prices rose and as reports showed manufacturing expanded in China, the Eurozone and the UK. Aberdeen Asset Management rallied after Numis Securities reiterated a 'buy' rating for the company's stock. WPP continued t
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
2nd Sep 2013 08:57
Berkeley Group: Panmure Gordon raises target price from 2046p to 2150p and reiterates a hold recommendation. Betfair: Panmure Gordon increases target price from 1000p to 1317p and maintains a buy recommendation. BHP Billiton: WH Ireland downgrades to neutral. British Land: Exane ups target price
Read moreLondon close: Markets extend losses after poor US data
30th Aug 2013 16:45
Moderate losses in early trading on Friday turned into a steep sell-off by the close as markets ended August in a cautious mood following a choppy week. A series of closely-watched economic indicators from the States prompted a negative reaction this afternoon, causing a weak start on Wall Street a
Read moreXaar CEO slashes stake after share-price surge
30th Aug 2013 16:00
The long-running frontman of injet printing technology firm Xaar sold 150,000 shares in the company on the same day it reported an impressive set of first-half results with the stock trading close to an all-time high. Ian Dinwoodie, who has been Chief Executive Officer for over a decade, disposed o
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: G4S continues impressive rebound
30th Aug 2013 14:24
Security solutions group G4S was extending gains made earlier this week when it announced plans to sell assets to reduce its debt pile and issue new shares to help strengthen its balance sheet. G4S has gained by nearly 15 per cent over the last month alone and has now erased all of the losses experi
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall as investors await developments in Syria
30th Aug 2013 11:41
Markets were showing moderate losses on Friday morning, pulling back after yesterday's strong gains as concerns about a potential Western military strike in Syria eased slightly. Worries about an imminent intervention in Syria receded yesterday after UK Prime Minister David Cameron lost an initial
Read moreLondon open: Stocks edge lower, Syria and Fed taper in focus
30th Aug 2013 08:33
The FTSE 100 opened slightly lower on Friday morning after yesterday's strong gains as investors continue to await further developments in Syria and speculate about the future of US stimulus. Cautiousness ahead of a three-day weekend in the States could also be having an effect on risk appetite thi
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