FTSE 100 movers: Rolls-Royce surges on new management, Tesco hit by worst losses in 97 years
22nd Apr 2015 13:27
Engine maker Rolls-Royce topped the risers after chief executive John Rishton announced plans to retire this summer. He will be succeeded by former ARM Holdings boss Warren East. UK timber and builders merchant Travis Perkins also gained after saying group sales were up 7.2% in the first quarter des
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE falls as Tesco erases gains and financial stocks weaken
22nd Apr 2015 12:11
Following a temporary foray into positive territory, UK stocks were firmly lower by Wednesday lunchtime as supermarket giant Tesco erased earlier gains after reporting an eye-watering £6.4bn annual loss. London's FTSE 100 was down 0.66% at 7,016.59 by midday, pulling back quickly after a brief stint
Read moreLondon open: Stocks slip after strong start, Tesco gains despite weak results
22nd Apr 2015 08:53
After a brief stint in positive territory, UK stock markets dropped on Wednesday morning as the FTSE 100 came close to a record high, despite a surprisingly positive reaction to Tesco's worse-than-expected annual results. The FTSE 100, which touched a high of 7,092.34 early on, had dropped 0.58% to
Read moreLondon pre-open: UK stocks to track Japanese markets higher
22nd Apr 2015 07:44
UK stocks are expected to edge higher on Wednesday morning after a strong performance in Asian trading overnight. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open just four points higher than Tuesday's close of 7,062.93. The index is continuing to move closer to tis all-time closing high of 7,096.78 reac
Read moreTravis Perkins grows Q1 sales despite plumbing and heating weakness
22nd Apr 2015 07:07
UK timber and builders merchant Travis Perkins said trading was in line with expectations in the first quarter with three out of four of its businesses performing well against strong comparators. Group sales were up 7.2% year-on-year in the first three months of 2015, registering like-for-like (LFL)
Read moreMonday broker round-up
9th Mar 2015 11:29
Barclays: Charles Stanley reiterates accumulate. Nomura stays at buy, ups target to 81p from 78p. Lloyds: Investec reiterates buy and 85p target price. RSA: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform recommendation and hikes target to 525p from 475p. Goldman downgrades to sell from neutral. ARM Holdings:
Read moreLondon close: Mixed data, weak earnings pull FTSE below 6,900
3rd Mar 2015 16:33
A mixed batch of economic data and weak corporate earnings gave investors the excuse to take profits on Tuesday, as markets continued to retreat from their recent record highs. London's FTSE 100, which had started the day in positive territory, swung sharply into the red by mid-morning and extended
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Barclays and Glencore fall after annual results, Taylor Wimpey higher
3rd Mar 2015 13:44
Shares in Barclays fell after the bank set aside a total of £1.25bn for provisions to cover litigation costs related to ongoing probes into mis-selling PPI and rigging foreign exchange rates. The news came as Barclays reported a pre-tax loss of £532m for the fourth quarter. Commodities trader and mi
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks pull back as corporate earnings disappoint
3rd Mar 2015 12:08
After coming close to another record high early on, UK stocks flatlined by Tuesday lunchtime as corporate earnings received a cool reaction from investors. The FTSE 100 was down 0.1% at 6,934.70 by midday, pulling back after reaching a high of 6,963.55 early on as Barclays, Glencore, Ashtead and Tra
Read moreBroker tips: Barclays, Travis Perkins, Intertek, Kingfisher, Consumer staples
3rd Mar 2015 11:51
A handful of brokerages continue to rate Barclays stock as 'buy' despite Tuesday's results from the bank that contain a huge increase in provisions to cover the costs of legal fees relating to scandals. Despite concerns in the market that rising litigation costs could dent the group's profitability
Read moreWesthouse rates Travis Perkins 'neutral' after conservative outlook
3rd Mar 2015 11:28
Travis Perkins delivered a "typically conservative statement" on Tuesday as it warned about a moderation of growth in the UK housing market, according to Westhouse Securities which kept a 'neutral' rating on the stock. The builders merchant and home improvement group said adjusted pre-tax profit ros
Read moreLondon open: Taylor Wimpey and Ashtead drive markets higher, Barclays falls
3rd Mar 2015 09:11
The FTSE 100 was closing in on another record high on Tuesday morning as impressive German data and gains from Taylor Wimpey and Ashtead helped markets higher. However, upside was limited as Barclays and Travis Perkins underwhelmed with their annual results, while the heavyweight mining sector inche
Read moreTravis Perkins posts double-digit profit growth, but gives cautious outlook
3rd Mar 2015 07:55
Builders merchant and home improvement group Travis Perkins hiked its dividend by over a fifth after posting a double-digit increase in profits for 2014. However, it said that recent growth trends in the housing market have moderated and cautioned about possible "volatility" arising from the general
Read moreSunday share tips: Carillion, Cineworld, Travis Perkins
1st Mar 2015 14:14
Might Carillion be building up for another bid for rival Balfour Beatty? Ahead of Wednesday's results and after last week's six-month takeover bid came to an end, Danny Fortson in the Sunday Times said the buying opportunity looks to have gone for good and suggested that Carillion itself was also on
Read morePanmure highlights improving newsflow for construction stocks
17th Feb 2015 08:14
Panmure Gordon has maintained an 'overweight' position on UK construction stocks on the back of an improving outlook, as it highlighted SIG as its top pick in the sector. "Architects billings growth (ONS data), project awards data (Barbour Index) and construction employment vacancies point to a heal
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