London pre-open: Buyers to make cautious return
2nd Nov 2011 07:48
There are signs that buyers might be ready to return to the market after the shake-out of the previous two days, with some pundits suggesting that the Greek government will buckle under pressure from its Eurozone partners not to press ahead with its plans for a referendum on the bail-out package. C
Read moreUPDATE: Friday broker round-up
28th Oct 2011 09:13
HSBC/Standard Chartered: Citi chief economist William Buiter argues today that: "World trade is set for a prolonged boom and a marked transformation. Transaction banking and trade finance should track the direction of trade and economic growth in the long term. (...) Standard Chartered and HSBC shou
Read moreUPDATE: Wednesday broker round-up
19th Oct 2011 09:25
GlaxoSmithKline: Credit Suisse ups target from 1,310p to 1,340p, neutral rating kept. BHP Billiton: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform recommendation and 2,800p target. Standard Chartered: Credit Suisse keeps underperform rating and 1,400p target. Diageo: Nomura maintains neutral stance and 1,32
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish amid euro optimism
14th Oct 2011 16:46
The top share index closed off earlier highs but still buoyant ahead of the weekend amid optimism after Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund lifted sentiment. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise after Slovak vote
14th Oct 2011 12:18
The top share index is buoyant after Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund lifted sentiment. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), was approved by Slovak MPs, two days after they voted against the
Read moreLondon open: Footsie flat early on
14th Oct 2011 08:35
The Footsie has opened flat despite expectations that Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund would give a boost to equities early on. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), was approved by Slovak MP
Read moreRBS and 11 other banks hit by downgrade
7th Oct 2011 08:24
UK bank stocks have been hit following a downgrade to 12 financial institutions by the credit ratings agency Moody's. Lloyds TSB, Santander UK and the Co-Operative Bank were downgraded one notch, while Nationwide and RBS went down two levels. Smaller institutions, including Clydesdale Bank were al
Read moreLondon close: Late surge propels Footsie 3.7% higher
6th Oct 2011 16:35
The Footsie finished at the highest level of the day, with just four stocks in the red, as gains were built on after the opening bell in New York, which saw stocks rise on the back of a better-than-expected unemployment claims report. It was a busy day on the macroeconomic front with policy rate de
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: 'Neutral' Burberry heading lower
3rd Oct 2011 14:07
Shares were down at Burberry after Nomura maintained its neutral rating on the British luxury brand ahead of the group's first half trading update on 12 October. The broker expects Burberry to report 29% constant currency sales growth to £820m, but forecasts a 50 basis point decline in the first ha
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks off intraday lows after manufacturing data
3rd Oct 2011 12:13
While losses have been trimmed since the open, Greek deficit fears continued to weigh on stocks at midday, with the banking peers Standard Chartered, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland among the heaviest fallers. Banks across Europe joined in with the sell-off, with French lenders BNP Paribas and
Read moreBroker tips: Laird, Tarsus, Standard Chartered
30th Sep 2011 12:22
Peel Hunt has lowered its target price on Laird, the manufacturer of antennas and other devices, to 160p from 185p, while keeping its "hold" recommendation on the stock. The broker is cautious ahead of Laird's next trading statement and wonders whether the company shouldn't have accepted a recent 2
Read moreBroker snap: Seymour Pierce still a Standard Chartered buyer
30th Sep 2011 11:08
Seymour Pierce has retained its "buy" recommendation on the Asia-facing bank Standard Chartered following the company's reiteration of double-digit growth. The broker also took note of chief executive Peter Sands's concerns over "the unintended consequences of regulation". Seymour Pierce has a 2,0
Read moreBroker tips: HSBC, Standard Chartered, Man Group, Ferrexpo
29th Sep 2011 12:09
UBS has cuts its target prices on the Asian-exposed banks HSBC and Standard Chartered, but it is concerns in Europe rather than Asia that concern the broker in both cases. It lowers its target price on HSBC to 530p from 545p, while keeping its "neutral" rating on the bank, after shaving its earning
Read moreBroker snap: UBS cuts HSBC and Standard Chartered price targets
29th Sep 2011 11:48
UBS has cut its target prices on the Asian-exposed banks HSBC and Standard Chartered, but it is concerns in Europe rather than Asia that concern the broker in both cases. It lowers its target price on HSBC to 530p from 545p, while keeping its "neutral" rating on the bank, after shaving its earnings
Read moreUPDATE: Broker tip round-up
29th Sep 2011 11:47
J.P.Morgan initiates coverage of International Airlines Group at 'overperform'. Citi reiterates 'buy' on Icap. Citi retains 'sell' on Homestore. Goldman Sachs 'upgrades' Kazakhmys to 'buy' from 'neutral'. Goldman Sachs downgrades Antofagasta to 'neutral' from 'buy'. Goldman Sachs upgrades Fi
Read more