FTSE 100 movers: Associated British Foods climbs after cheering 'magnificent' year for Primark
4th Nov 2014 16:23
Full-year earnings and dividends from Associated British Foods were up 6% on the prior year despite revenues falling 3%. Shares were higher after the company reported a "magnificent" year for its Primark clothing chain, where operating profits jumped 30%. Cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco gained as i
Read moreSector movers: Oil stocks tank as crude prices drop to three-year low
4th Nov 2014 13:26
Sinking crude prices were pressuring oil producers and oil services stocks lower on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropping to a three-year low. Oil dropped sharply after the world's largest exporter, Saudi Arabia, lowered prices for crude exports to US customers in an attempt to suppor
Read moreBroker tips: Legal & General, Shire, Anglo American...
4th Nov 2014 12:05
Broker Berenberg is advising investors to take cover in Legal & General after the insurer and pension provider doubled its annuity sales target for 2014 despite turbulence caused by a UK government pension shake-up. Berenberg has a 'buy' recommendation on L&G with a 265p price target. Analysts at Sw
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase gains after UK construction data, Eurozone growth forecasts
4th Nov 2014 11:25
A slowdown in UK construction expansion and downgrades to Eurozone growth forecasts hit UK stocks on Tuesday morning, with the FTSE 100 having erased early gains by lunchtime. Well-received results from Imperial Tobacco, Associated British Foods and Legal & General weren't enough to prop up the benc
Read moreOil companies need to rebuild investor confidence, says Barclays
4th Nov 2014 09:45
Oil exploration and production (E&P) companies need to rebuild confidence amongst investors, according to analysts at Barclays, who said depressed oil prices are not wholly to blame for the recent weakness in the oil sector. The bank pointed out that the European E&P sector has under-performed the w
Read moreLondon open: FTSE rises as earnings impress, but oil stocks fall
4th Nov 2014 08:31
The UK stock market opened tentatively on Tuesday, with declines in the energy sector offsetting some well-received results from blue chips Legal & General, Associated British Foods and Imperial Tobacco. The FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 6,503 in early deals. However, upside was being limited by falls fr
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ends session with modest gains
30th Oct 2014 16:36
The top tier closed slightly higher on Thursday, as a strong performance by Smith & Nephew was offset by losses amongst the mining sector. The FTSE 100 ended the day 9.68 points higher than on the previous day at 6,463.55. Investors were paying attention to what analysts called an "artificially hig
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Smith and Nephew rises after first quarter results
30th Oct 2014 16:14
Medical devices maker Smith & Nephew rose strongly after it posted a 3% increase in both revenue and profit for the third quarter, thanks to an improvement in its emerging and international markets units, recent product launches and investment in the sales force. On an underlying basis, turnover cli
Read moreSector movers: Mining, oil stocks track commodities lower as dollar gains
30th Oct 2014 13:24
Mining and oil stocks took a hit on Thursday as a hawkish statement by the Federal Reserve and better-than-expected US growth bolstered the dollar and dampened commodity prices. Gold dropped to its lowest in three weeks, while silver, platinum and crude prices all declined, as the dollar rose to a t
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
30th Oct 2014 08:36
Afren: Deutsche Bank cuts target price from 130p to 110p retaining its hold recommendation. Antofagasta: JP Morgan lowers target price from 760p to 755p and reiterates a neutral rating. Investec lowers target price from 717p to 704p and keeps a hold recommendation. Balfour Beatty: Jefferies cuts ta
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
28th Oct 2014 09:18
Afren: Credit Suisse lowers target price from 132p to 115p staying with its outperform rating. African Barrick Gold: Westhouse moves target price from 230p to 240p and keeps an add rating. Anglo American: Investec reduces target price from 1603p to 1588p and keeps a buy recommendation. APR Energy:
Read moreBroker tips: Rio Tinto, Tullow Oil, Foxtons
23rd Oct 2014 12:04
Investec hailed Thursday's announcement by mining group Rio Tinto that it has decided to extend the tenure of its chief executive officer (CEO) Sam Walsh and also its chief financial officer, saying it provides certainty for shareholders. The broker added: "The announcement also provides some certai
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks decline after Tesco, Tullow and Unilever disappoint
23rd Oct 2014 10:34
Poorly-received updates from heavyweights Tesco, Tullow Oil and Unilever and a profit warning from Foxtons were weighing on UK markets on Thursday, though trading was choppy after some better-than-expected data from the Eurozone. The FTSE 100 was down 0.6% at 6,359 by noon, pulling back after reachi
Read moreWesthouse highlights buying opportunity at Tullow despite mixed Kenyan update
23rd Oct 2014 09:22
Tullow Oil's share price dropped sharply on Thursday after the company reported a mixed exploration and appraisal update on Kenyan operations, though analysts at Westhouse Securities recommend investors to use this weakness as a buying opportunity. The broker maintained an 'add' rating and 930p targ
Read moreLondon open: Tesco leads UK stocks lower as first-half profits drop
23rd Oct 2014 07:45
UK stocks fell sharply on Thursday morning, led by poorly-received updates from blue chips Tesco, Tullow Oil and Unilever and a profit warning from Foxtons. London's FTSE 100 index was down 0.7% at 6,355 in early deals, with ex-dividend stocks also providing a drag. Markets were also giving a mixed
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