London afternoon: Stocks sail on Greek tailwinds
31st May 2011 14:21
Optimism about a resolution to Greece's latest dire need for a bail-out is giving equities a boost today, providing some much needed focus on a day that is short of block-busting company news. Serco, the outsourcing company whose activities include running prisons and London's Docklands Light Rail
Read moreBroker tips: Standard Chartered, Serco, Tate & Lyle
31st May 2011 12:31
Standard Chartered has been upgraded to a 'buy', from 'neutral', by Nomura, which says that the Asia-focused bank is delivering growth in a challenging environment. "For investors looking for top-line growth within a UK & European banks sector where growth is often a scarce commodity, we believe th
Read moreLondon midday: Rally pauses at 6,000
31st May 2011 12:11
The leading share index is sitting around the 6,000 point mark after a strong start this morning. On a relatively quiet day for company news, Serco, the outsourcing company whose activities include running prisons and London's Docklands Light Railway, has announced the acquisition of India-based se
Read moreBroker snap: Intelenet purchase to boost Serco
31st May 2011 11:45
After Serco's recent share price underperformance, Prime Markets thinks that Tuesday's acquisition of Intelenet should "safely propel" shares higher. The support service provider has bought India-based business process outsourcing firm Intelent for up to £385m. "The acquisition is in line with Se
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 builds on gains
31st May 2011 08:24
The top share index is adding to the gains it made ahead of the long weekend and homing in on the 6,000 point mark around which it has been flitting since the start of the year. On a relatively quiet day for company news, Serco, the outsourcing company whose activities include running prisons and L
Read moreLondon pre-open: Outsourcers get cheque books out
31st May 2011 07:34
In a quiet resumption of corporate activities following the long week-end break, outsourcers Capita and Serco have done their bit to liven things up, with both companies announcing bolt-on acquisitions. Serco, the outsourcing company whose activities include running prisons and London's Docklands L
Read moreSerco acquires India's Intelenet
31st May 2011 07:08
Serco, the outsourcing company whose activities include running prisons and London's Docklands Light Railway, has announced the acquisition of India-based service provider Intelenet for up to £385m. Intelenet provides business process outsourcing (BPO) services to the private sector in India and in
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Serco, Lonmin, Eros
10th May 2011 06:30
That Serco's shares managed to remain strong throughout the session after the outsourcer issued an update yesterday is creditable. The update was reassuring, with the group saying that it remained on track to deliver on expectations for 2011. We do think that Serco is fairly valued at current levels
Read moreLondon close: Lower finish for FTSE 100
9th May 2011 16:44
The top share index closed in the red despite a bright start to the day, continuing the volatile performance seen last week. Energy supplier Centrica is a struggler after saying it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regime on UK oil pro
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 lower on volatile day
9th May 2011 12:07
The FTSE 100 is in the red after giving up an early recovery on what is turning out to be another choppy day for the top share index. Energy supplier Centrica is a struggler after saying it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regime on UK
Read moreLondon open: Stocks give up gains
9th May 2011 08:28
Stocks have fallen back after Friday's surge, with company updates sending shares in both directions. Energy supplier Centrica is an early struggler after saying it expects profits growth in 2011 to be more subdued than previously anticipated due to the new tax regime on UK oil production. The incr
Read moreLondon pre-open: Profit takers hold sway
9th May 2011 07:39
After Friday afternoon's surge on the back of better than expected US jobless data investors looks set to be quick to bank profits at the start of the new week. City traders expect London's blue-chip index to open almost 30 points lower at around 5,947. Energy supplier Centrica expects profits grow
Read moreSerco pipeline gives comfort
9th May 2011 07:13
Outsourcing giant Serco is drawing comfort from its £29bn pipeline of identified opportunities despite some short-term headwinds in the UK, and is on course to hit its 2011 targets. "Since the beginning of the financial year, we have been awarded £1.6bn of contracts, comprising signed contracts val
Read moreSerco wins prisoner transportation contract
16th Mar 2011 15:34
Serco, the provider of outsourced services to the government, has won a contract to escort prisoners to and from jails and courts in London and the east of England. The contract, which was signed with the Ministry of Justice, is valued at £42m a year for seven years, with the possibility of being e
Read moreBroker tips: Prudential, BHP, Serco
10th Mar 2011 14:24
Nomura seems concerned that, despite consensus-beating results, only a quarter of Prudential's earnings come from Asia, and has maintained its 'reduce' recommendation on the insurer. "Prudential's results beat consensus in most respects but most of the company's growth came from the US and not Asia
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