Broker Snap: Investec says Standard Chartered is "top pick"
5th Mar 2013 14:32
Investec has reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Standard Chartered after the bank unveiled "quality" results on Tuesday morning. Ian Gordon, an analyst at Investec, said: "Normalised EPS [earnings per share] of 225.2 cents is 2.0% ahead of consensus, stated profit before taxation of $6.9bn is
Read moreBroker snap: Investec upgrades HSBC as disposals continue
27th Feb 2013 10:05
Investec has upgraded its recommendation for global banking giant HSBC from 'hold' to 'add' after the stock's recent underperformance. "After RBS (rated 'sell'), HSBC has been the worst performing UK bank year-to-date," according to Investec analyst Ian Gordon. Including Wednesday's 1.26% gain (to
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Feb 2013 07:27
Andor Technology: Investec shifts target price from 460p to 500p and keeps a buy recommendation. Associated British Foods: Nomura revises target price from 1790p to 1800p, while its neutral rating remains unchanged. Barclays: Espirito Santo raises target price from 346p to 418p and reiterates its
Read moreSector movers: RBS and Barclays lead banks higher
25th Feb 2013 15:43
Cyclical sectors were performing well on Monday afternoon as stimulus hopes in the US and Japan increased risk appetite. Banks were among the highest risers with strong gains for RBS, Barclays and Standard Chartered helped the sector higher. Domestic lender Royal Bank of Scotland was up 2.9% at 35
Read moreLondon midday: Banks lift markets higher despite UK downgrade
25th Feb 2013 11:47
The FTSE 100 was making decent gains on Monday morning in spite of Moody's stripping the UK of its prized 'AAA' credit rating, as sentiment was lifted by central-bank stimulus speculation in the US and Japan. Over the last few days, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke showed his commitment to the
Read moreBroker tips: Reckitt, StanChart, AB Foods
25th Feb 2013 11:18
Investec has downgraded its rating for consumer products giant Reckitt Benckiser from 'hold' to 'sell' after US regulators called time on the company's exclusivity with its SUBOXONE product. Investec analyst Martin Deboo said that the news will likely be negative for the shares, with tablets in the
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura lifts target for StanChart
25th Feb 2013 11:03
Nomura has raised its target price for emerging markets lender Standard Chartered from 1,800p to 2,050p and reiterated its 'buy' rating, saying that the stock's year-to-date outperformance could continue. After underperforming the market in January, Nomura says that StanChart has caught up with its
Read moreLondon open: Stocks gains as market shrugs off UK downgrade
25th Feb 2013 08:19
Markets managed to shrug off the UK ratings downgrade and some disappointing economic data from China on Monday morning, as stocks advanced on the back of optimism surrounding central-bank stimulus. "Signs from the US and Japan indicate they will continue with their monetary policy for some time ye
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
25th Feb 2013 07:26
Afren: Canaccord Genuity increases target price from 160p to 200p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Antofagasta: Bank of America upgrades to buy with a target price of 1400p. Ashmore Group: Espirito Santo shifts target price from 364p to 368p and maintains a neutral rating. ASOS: Deutsche Bank
Read moreLondon close: Footsie gains one per cent on German ZEW, M&A activity
19th Feb 2013 17:00
The FTSE 100 jumped one per cent on Tuesday after a better-than-expected reading of German confidence and increased M&A activity in the US. The ZEW Institute's index, which measures economic sentiment in the Eurozone's largest economy, surged to 48.2 in February, ahead of last month's reading of 31
Read moreLondon midday: German sentiment data buoys stocks
19th Feb 2013 11:22
A better-than-expected reading of German confidence pushed stock markets firmly into positive territory by Tuesday lunchtime. The ZEW Institute's index, which measures economic sentiment in the Eurozone's largest economy, surged to 48.2 in February, ahead of last month's reading of 31.5 surpassing
Read moreLondon open: Markets cautious ahead of German ZEW survey
19th Feb 2013 08:22
Stock markets began Tuesday's session in a cautious fashion ahead of a closely-watched reading of German confidence this morning. The ZEW index which measures economic sentiment in Germany is expected to have risen to 35 in February, up from 31.5 last month. An increase this month would be the six
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
19th Feb 2013 07:30
Admiral Group: Investec takes target price from 570p to 582p, but still recommends selling. Advanced Medical Solutions: Investec upgrades from hold to buy with a target price of 68p. African Barrick Gold: Canaccord Genuity reduces target price from 360p to 305p keeping a hold rating. Anglo Americ
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
12th Feb 2013 07:24
AMEC: Exane BNP initiates with a target price of 1140p and an underperform rating. Anglo American: Goldman Sachs increases target price from 1500p to 1550p, while keeping a sell recommendation. Barclays: Nomura reiterates reduce. Charles Stanley reiterates hold. Investec reiterates buy, with price
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 bounces back after sharp sell-off
5th Feb 2013 11:39
Well-received results from ARM Holdings and BP and a decent performance from the banking sector helped the FTSE 100 bounce back slightly after Monday's sell-off. London's benchmark index slumped 100 points yesterday as political uncertainty in the Eurozone dented sentiment: corruption scandals at S
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