Sunday newspaper round-up: Tesco, Shire, Greene King
19th Oct 2014 17:27
The investigation into Tesco's £250m profit overstatement has found "inappropriate" behaviour largely confined to the first half of this year, the Sunday Times reported. The supermarket group is expected to say on 23 October that it will not have to restate previous years' results. The paper said th
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 drops another 1.8% as sell-off resumes
16th Oct 2014 11:39
In spite of an initial 'dead cat bounce' in early deals, London's FTSE 100 tanked again on Thursday morning with the index sinking to levels not seen since June 2013 The UK benchmark index was down 1.8% at 6,099 by lunchtime, having earlier touched a high of 6,282.95, with banking shares sinking sha
Read moreSector movers: Tensions in HK weigh on financials
6th Oct 2014 14:09
Financial stocks were the Achilles Heel of the market on the first day of the week following reports that the authorities in Hong Kong had used "brutal force", including tear-gas and pepper spray, to quell pro-democracy protesters in the ex-British colony. The protestors had gathered in Hong Kong to
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks rise despite weak economic data
6th Oct 2014 11:37
Weak economic data from Germany and the wider Eurozone failed to deter bullish investors on Monday as UK stocks continued to bounce off a 10-month low reached last week. London's FTSE 100, spurred by gains in the banking, airline and supermarket sectors, was trading nearly 0.4% higher at 6,550 by mi
Read moreBroker tips: UK banks, Easyjet, Just Retirement, ASOS
6th Oct 2014 11:35
Shares in HSBC and emerging markets bank Standard Chartered both look cheap, according to analysts at Barclays Capital, though HSBC is the broker's preferred pick as it appears "structurally and cyclically stronger". The valuations of both stocks suggest potential buying opportunities, Barclays said
Read moreBarclays Capital highlights buying opportunities at HSBC, StanChart
6th Oct 2014 10:07
Shares in HSBC and emerging markets bank Standard Chartered both look cheap, according to analysts at Barclays Capital, though HSBC is the broker's preferred pick as it appears "structurally and cyclically stronger". The valuations of both stocks suggest potential buying opportunities, Barclays said
Read moreLondon open: Banks, supermarkets give FTSE 100 a lift
6th Oct 2014 08:37
Decent gains from banking and supermarket stocks gave the FTSE 100 a boost on Monday morning as the UK's benchmark index continues to recover after hitting a 10-month low last week. The Footsie was trading 0.4% higher at 6,554 early on, rising for the second straight day after falling to 6,446.39 la
Read moreTesco moves to secure £2.5bn crisis warchest
29th Sep 2014 13:31
Tesco has lined up a £2.5bn banking facility as a preventive measure in case of possible ratings downgrades. According to a Sky News report, the UK's biggest retailer has signed up between four to six banks to a new credit facility intended at providing an insurance policy, as the group seeks a solu
Read moreLondon midday: StanChart and HSBC lower on Hong Kong protests
29th Sep 2014 11:36
London's blue chip stocks were holding slightly lower come midday ahead of the release of the latest figures on personal income and spending Stateside, as traders kept an eye on recent events in Hong Kong. That comes in what is expected to be a very busy week both at home and abroad in terms of econ
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
24th Sep 2014 09:15
Aggreko: Morgan Stanley ups target price from 1350p to 1375p, while leaving its underweight rating unaltered. Alliance Pharma: Canaccord Genuity lowers target price from 35p to 33p reiterating its hold recommendation. Close Brothers Group: UBS moves target price from 1420p to 1430p and keeps a neut
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks sink on fears over Scottish referendum, Ukraine
8th Sep 2014 11:36
Concerns surrounding the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence and a fragile ceasefire agreement in Ukraine were weighing heavily on UK stocks on Monday. London's FTSE 100 was trading down 1% at 6,789 by midday. The index has not closed below the 6,800 mark since 22 August when it settled at
Read moreLondon open: AB Foods leads UK stocks lower early on
8th Sep 2014 08:29
UK stocks fell on Monday morning on the back of uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire in Ukraine and the Scottish referendum. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.3% lower at 6,834 in early trading, with Associated British Foods leading the fallers after an underwhelming pre-close update. Markets were in the
Read moreLondon open: Stocks fall as investors turn cautious ahead of US non-farm payrolls
5th Sep 2014 08:28
The FTSE 100 was trading 0.1% lower at 6,869 in early trading. The Footsie edged higher on Thursday to close at 6,877.97, its highest finish since 14 May when it settled at 6,878.49. Nevertheless, during the session the index reached a high of 6,904.86, its highest intraday level since the record 6
Read morePartnership Assurance chief shows support in face of plunging annuities
26th Aug 2014 17:02
The chief executive officer of Partnership Assurance has acquired 100,000 shares in the annuities provider. Steve Groves, who joined the company in 2005, paid 117p per share, spending a total of £117,000. The group has seen its share price plunge almost 60% in the year-to-date, thanks to changes
Read moreBroker tips: BHP Billiton, StanChart, Balfour Beatty, Debenhams
20th Aug 2014 12:52
Credit Suisse said it sees a "lack of upside" at BHP Billiton after the company underwhelmed the market with its demerger plans, downgrading the mining stock from 'neutral' to 'underperform'. Credit Suisse said: "We think the shares have moved up on capital management expectations that were not del
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