Sector movers: Defensives thrive as investors scale back risk
24th May 2013 15:27
With market sentiment still fragile following the heavy sell-off of the past two days, defensive sectors were thriving on Friday as investors refrained from taking risk ahead of the long weekend. Concerns about a scaling back of stimulus in the US and a slowdown in China saw the FTSE 100 drop 2.1%
Read moreSector movers: Water stocks lift utilities higher
20th May 2013 14:09
Utilities stock were performing well on Monday afternoon, continuing their impressive year-to-date rise, after some upbeat comments about the UK water sector from UBS. "Compared to other low-risk inflation-protected returns the UK water sector is currently highly attractive even without financial r
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: LSE, Severn Trent, Royal Mail
19th May 2013 17:41
The London Stock Exchange is considering buying a stake in Istanbul's fast-growing stock market as part of a deal that could see Turkish trades settled in the City. Borsa Istanbul has been seeking an international partner to overhaul its technology and improve the market's access to foreign investor
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks edge higher on improved outlook from BoE
15th May 2013 11:19
An improved outlook from the Bank of England (BoE) lifted UK markets into the blue by Wednesday lunchtime as investors shrugged off disappointing growth figures from the Eurozone and rising unemployment at home. The FTSE 100 was extending its recent winning streak to its 10th day after finishing Tu
Read moreLondon open: Eurozone GDP figures worry markets early on
15th May 2013 08:39
Worse-than-expected growth figures from Eurozone powerhouses Germany and France dampened market sentiment in London on Wednesday morning, as stocks pulled back after hitting fresh multiyear highs the day before. The FTSE 100 finished Tuesday's session at 6,686 after nine straight days in positive t
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to dip ahead of BoE inflation forecast
15th May 2013 07:29
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open up five points from yesterday's close of 6,686, likely to be driven in part by utilities giant Severn Trent, which has this morning brushed off a bid approach from a consortium of foreign investors, saying it completely undervalues the firm. The UK water
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Icap, Babcock, Severn Trent
15th May 2013 07:19
Icap is fighting to restructure and survive. Hence the very positive market reaction on Tuesday when it announced that it would beat its target for cost savings. Far more important even, traders breathed a sigh of relief that it did not cut its dividend payment. Nevertheless, a 12 per cent revenue d
Read moreTakeover proposal not good enough, says Severn Trent
15th May 2013 07:08
Utilities giant Severn Trent has brushed off a bid approach from a consortium of foreign investors, saying it completely undervalues the firm. The UK water company said that it had met the consortium - comprising of Canadian infrastructure investor Borealis, the Kuwait Investment Office and Univers
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Severn Trent tops index after bid approach is confirmed
14th May 2013 14:57
Severn Trent topped the leaderboard after it confirmed press speculation that it has received a bid approach from a consortium of investors, which is rumoured to value the UK utility company around 5.3bn pounds. In a statement released this morning, Severn Trent said it had received an approach with
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 snaps eight-day winning streak as miners fall
14th May 2013 11:50
Strong gains in the utilities sector after a takeover approach for Severn Trent and some well-received results from Babcock International weren't enough to lift markets into positive territory by Tuesday lunchtime, as the FTSE 100 snapped an eight-day winning streak. "The broader market malaise is
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat after strong run, but Severn Trent soars
14th May 2013 08:19
Strong gains for Severn Trent and other utility providers helped offset weakness elsewhere on Tuesday morning as the FTSE 100 paused for breath following an eight-day winning streak. "European markets moved forward modestly today shunning a mixed trading session in Asian stock markets overnight as
Read moreSevern Trent confirms takeover approach from foreign consortium
14th May 2013 07:06
Severn Trent has confirmed press speculation that it has received a bid approach from a consortium of investors which is rumoured to value the UK utility company around 5.3bn pounds. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Severn Trent said it had received an approach with a view to making a pr
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: Severn Trent, Lloyds, Vodafone...
14th May 2013 06:52
According to The Times, Severn Trent could be the target of a bid worth up to 5.3bn pounds. The utility company is said to be in talks with Canadian infrastructure investors Borealis and the Kuwait Investment Authoirty The Independent says that the new Chairman to replace Sir Win BIschoff at Lloyds
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Apr 2013 07:40
Associated British Foods: Panmure Gordon ups target price from 1750p to 1800p keeping a hold recommendation. Aveva Group: Sanlam Securities upgrades from sell to hold with an unchanged target price of 1980p. Bank of Georgia: Bank of America raises target price from 1443.60p to 1765p, but downgrade
Read moreLondon open: Miners hammered after Chinese slowdown
15th Apr 2013 08:29
Mining stocks were registering sharp falls on Monday morning as a surprise slowdown in Chinese economic growth weighed on the outlook for commodities demand. China's first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth dropped from 7.9% in the prior quarter to 7.7%, while the consensus forecast had be
Read more