Broker tips: Tesco, Standard Chartered, Recruiters
8th Dec 2011 11:17
Today's update from Tesco has prompted a mixed reaction from brokers Nomura and Evolution Securities, who have given contrasting assessments of the supermarket chain's third quarter figures. Nomura is generally pleased with the statement, saying that the figures came in line with expectations. The
Read moreBroker snap: 'Choppy waters ahead' for recruiters, says Investec
8th Dec 2011 09:50
After two recent updates from recruiters confirmed a marked slowdown in the fourth quarter, Investec has reassessed its forecasts for the sector. The recruitment sector - which Investec highlights as "very economically cyclical" with "little visibility" - is expected to be held back by an recession
Read moreMonday broker round-up - UPDATE
5th Dec 2011 08:45
Kingfisher: Credit Suisse raises price target to 310p from 295p, outperform rating kept. Berkeley Group: Credit Suisse raises target to 1,225p from 1,079p, maintains neutral. Berkeley Group: UBS raises target to 1,530p from 1,480p. BG Group: UBS ups price target to 1,635p from 1,600p, stays at
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: SThree takes a dive
2nd Dec 2011 14:07
SThree, the specialist recruitment business, was the biggest faller after profits were seen to be slowing in the final quarter, however, with Q4 up only 10% compared to the equivalent period of 2010. Gross profits by the end of November were £195m versus a 2010 figure of £166.4m. In the UK profits
Read moreRecruitment firms take a battering following SThree slowdown
2nd Dec 2011 13:54
The biggest faller on the FTSE 250 this afternoon is the IT and finance recruitment specialist SThree, down 8.36% following an announcement that earnings growth had slowed in the group's final quarter. The full-year gross profits were up 17% on the year, but in the final quarter this had slowed to
Read moreFriday broker round-up - UPDATE
2nd Dec 2011 09:42
Rolls Royce: UBS downgrades to sell from neutral, cuts target to 600p from 610p. Admiral: RBC initiates at underperform with a price target of 890p. Standard Chartered: Nomura reiterates buy recommendation and 1,800p target. Admiral: Investec maintains sell rating, cuts target to 570p from 843
Read moreSThree sees final quarter slowdown
2nd Dec 2011 08:25
SThree, the specialist recruitment business, has seen gross profits rise 17% in the 12 months to the end of November. Profits were seen to be slowing in the final quarter, however, with Q4 up only 10% compared to the equivalent period of 2010. Gross profits by the end of November were £195m versus
Read moreTuesday broker round-up - UPDATE
29th Nov 2011 09:15
Senior: Credit Suisse keeps at neutral, raises target to 175p from 165p. Icap: Credit Suisse keeps at outperform, lowers target to 420p from 510p. G4S: HSBC upgrades to overweight from neutral. Rio Tinto: UBS cuts target from 6,000p to 5,650p, buy rating kept [28 November]. BP: Nomura keeps neut
Read moreInvestment banking business suffering at SThree
9th Sep 2011 08:13
International specialist staffing business SThree is experiencing year-on-year improvements across most markets, despite running up against strong comparatives, but is seeing a tailing off of demand from the lucrative Investment Banking market. Since the end of May the company has seen gross profit
Read moreCapital deputy chairman goes shopping
12th Aug 2011 16:25
Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) deputy chairman John Whittaker has opened his wallet, spending nearly £1m on shares in the owner of shopping centres including Manchester's Trafford Centre. He took 302,450 shares at 319p a time and now has 172m, more than 20% of the company. Whittaker is the chairm
Read moreLondon close: record gold price = scared investors
18th Jul 2011 16:03
Stock markets fell across the board today as concerns persist over European and US sovereign debt. Friday's European banking stress tests were seen as something of a damp squib by markets after they failed to adequately analyse the impact sovereign debt default would have on the Continent's banks.
Read moreLondon midday: Stress test results cast shadow
18th Jul 2011 12:15
Stocks are firmly in the red after Friday's European Banking stress tests. Eight European banks failed stress tests drawn up by the European Banking Authority (EBA). Five Spanish banks - Catalunya Caixa, Pastor, Unnim, Caja3 and CAM - and two from Greece - ATEbank and EFG Eurobank - were deemed not
Read moreLondon open: Stocks stressed after banking tests
18th Jul 2011 08:20
Stocks have taken a bit of a tumble after the release of the results from banking stress tests after the close on Friday. Eight European banks failed stress tests drawn up by the European Banking Authority (EBA). Five Spanish banks - Catalunya Caixa, Pastor, Unnim, Caja3 and CAM - and two from Gree
Read moreSThree offers special divi as profit surges
18th Jul 2011 07:45
Staffing business SThree reported a 52% surge in pre-tax profit for the six months ended 29 May 2011 and has offered a special dividend of 11p. The group reported a robust first half performance as its markets improved. Pre-tax profit rose to £11.2m during the six months from £7.3m the year before
Read moreLondon pre-open: Slight falls expected
18th Jul 2011 07:41
Stocks look set to start the week lower on a fairly quiet day on the company news front. Commodity trading house Glencore is adding to its metal assets in Peru with the purchase of a 70% stake in Marcobre, which owns the Marcona Copper property and the Mina Justa exploration and development project
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