London close: Footsie left behind
30th Jul 2010 16:34
Footsie was the sick man of Europe at trading's close as it failed to sustain a recovery that followed a downward turn sparked by disappointing US economic data. US gross domestic product (GDP) data for the second quarter was disappointing. Inflation adjusted and seasonally adjusted gross domestic
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares knocked by US GDP
30th Jul 2010 13:59
The Footsie hit new lows in the aftermath of disappointing US gross domestic product (GDP) data for the second quarter. Inflation adjusted and seasonally adjusted gross domestic product rose at an annualised rate of 2.4% in the second quarter, a significant slow-down from the 3.7% annualised gain in
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks off the bottom
30th Jul 2010 12:12
Leading shares entered the lunch time trading session with a bit of momentum, with the FTSE index coming off its lowest levels of the day in the last half hour of the morning. Investors are turning to utilities after EDF sold its UK electricity grid operation to a consortium headed by Hong Kong bi
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips slip lower
30th Jul 2010 08:31
London's top stocks have opened lower with the focus on the latest earnings reports and GDP data due out in the US later today. Ash clouds from Iceland and strike action caused losses to grow at British Airways during a tough first quarter, although the airline still expects to break-even for the y
Read moreMARKET TALK: HSBC Turns Cautious On UK Water Industry
29th Jul 2010 10:32
0932 GMT [Dow Jones] HSBC takes a look at the UK water industry, saying the regulatory reviews by Ofwat and DEFRA of the water sector's structure and regulatory framework may heighten risk. Downgrades Severn Trent (SVT.LN) to underweight from neutral, and both Pennon Group (PNN.LN) and Northumbrian
Read moreUK MARKET TALK ROUNDUP: BROKERS COMMENTS
23rd Jul 2010 07:35
Broker comments in the UK today. Compiled by Dow Jones Newswires Markets Desk, [email protected] Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9464 [email protected] 0635 GMT [Dow Jones] Morgan Stanley raises United Utilities Group (UU.LN) to overweight from equalweight, and boosts its targ
Read moreMARKET TALK: Morgan Stanley Ups United Utilities To Overweight
23rd Jul 2010 07:35
0635 GMT [Dow Jones] Morgan Stanley raises United Utilities Group (UU.LN) to overweight from equalweight, and boosts its target price to 595p from 570p. Keeps fellow water company Severn Trent (SVT.LN) at overweight, noting it regards having both companies at overweight as the best way to play the t
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Severn Trent, William Hill, Enterprise Inns
21st Jul 2010 06:43
The betting is the water industry as a whole will have little trouble outpacing the regulatory settlement, while Severn Trent will actually do better than most if inflation climbs. The sector remains a strong defensive play, and Severn shares are themselves yielding about 5.2% on this year's lower p
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish for FTSE 100
20th Jul 2010 16:42
There was plenty of movement in both directions Tuesday, but Footsie closed just a few points lower. Government spending cuts and their effect on the profits on the big players in the public sector is the day's big story after Cable & Wireless Worldwide warned that the coalition government's emerge
Read moreCostain In Potential GBP15M Pact For Severn Trent Water
20th Jul 2010 15:51
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Costain Group PLC (COST.LN), a engineering, construction, maintenance and land development company, along with its partner MWH, has achieved preferred bidder status on a potential GBP15 million contract for Severn Trent Water (SVT.LN) to construct a new treated water pumping stat
Read moreLondon afternoon: Cautious note from De La Rue
20th Jul 2010 14:25
Footsie lost more ground over the lunch time session with barely a fifth of the blue-chip index's constituents remaining in the red, and many of those are miners. Government spending cuts and their effect on the profits on the big players in the public sector is the day's big story after Cable & Wi
Read moreLondon midday: Public sector specialists hit
20th Jul 2010 12:10
Sovereign debt worries are haunting investors again after Hungary cut back its treasury bill offering by 10bn forints to 35bn. European stock markets took a step back on the news while expectations of a weak opening on Wall Street has also sparked some selling. Cable & Wireless Worldwide is the bi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Traders see FTSE adding 20 points
20th Jul 2010 07:35
London's top stocks look set to open about 20 points higher Tuesday morning after finishing in the red on Monday. Cable & Wireless Worldwide warns the coalition government's emergency budget will cause earnings growth to slow this year and come in at the lower end of the range of expectations. Th
Read moreSevern Trent Sees Trading In Line With Views >SVT.LN
20th Jul 2010 07:12
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Severn Trent PLC (SVT.LN), a water, waste and utility services group, said Tuesday that trading for the period from April 1 to July 19 has been in line with its expectations and prior guidance. MAIN FACTS: -Sales prices in Severn Trent Water decreased by 0.7% (including i
Read moreCalm waters at Severn Trent
20th Jul 2010 07:10
Severn Trent's customers kept consumption steady over the past three months from April, while prices declined by 0.7%. As a result, the water utility has kept its expectations and guidance unchanged for this year. Bad debts remained at around 2.5% of turnover, similar to last year. Operating cos
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