Friday newspaper round-up: RBS, Tesco, BP
11th Apr 2014 07:18
The Government could start selling down its stake in Royal Bank of Scotland this year, according to City analysts, after the taxpayer-backed lender agreed a deal with the Treasury that could lead to the return of dividend payments. The deal to scrap the Dividend Access Share (DAS), which barred shar
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to track US markets firmly lower early on
11th Apr 2014 07:08
The City is set for a downbeat start to today's session after stocks in the States slumped, particularly on the Nasdaq, which suffered its worst single-day performance since November 2011. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 50 points below yesterday's close of 6,641.97. Gains made
Read moreTesco planning to launch takeaway chain
11th Apr 2014 07:03
Tesco is reportedly planning on launching a high-street takeaway chain to be focused on the London market. The supermarket owner is understood to be in the final stages of a new format called 'Tesco Express food' to compete with the likes of Pret à Manger, Eat and Greggs, according to The Guardian
Read moreSector movers: Industrial metals rally
9th Apr 2014 15:54
Industrial metal stocks rallied after Alcoa posted a better-than-forecast quarterly profit and said it predicts global aluminium demand to grow seven per cent this year. Technology stocks edged higher, led by ARM Holdings, with investors feeling a renewed sense of confidence after the tech-heavy N
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Barratt Developments rises on broker comment
9th Apr 2014 14:57
Barratt Developments raced to the top of the leaderboard today after Deutsche Bank named the house builder as a top pick. Sector peer Travis Perkins was also making strong gains. ARM Holdings was a notable riser today, with investors feeling a renewed sense of confidence after the tech-heavy Nasd
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
9th Apr 2014 09:09
Aberdeen Asset Management: RBC Capital moves target price from 485p to 495p and maintains an outperform rating. African Barrick Gold: Deutsche Bank upgrades to buy with a target price of 310p. African Minerals: Investec reduces target price from 241p to 198p and leaves its buy recommendation uncha
Read moreShop prices plummet as retailers fight for business
9th Apr 2014 07:00
UK high street prices fell for the eleventh month in a row in March as retailers battled for business from cash-strapped shoppers, a survey out Wednesday showed. Overall shop prices dropped by 1.7% against a 1.4% fall in February, according to the March Shop Price Index from the British Retail Cons
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ends day in red as Sports Direct drags
8th Apr 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes 32.15 points lower at 6,590.69 - Feb UK industrial production trounces forecasts - Tensions rise in Ukraine - Big Four see market share slip as discount stores increase sales techMARK 2,697.56 -1.19% FTSE 100 6,590.69 -0.49% FTSE 250 16,014.46 -1.53% UK stocks once again finished in
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Sports Direct shares dive
8th Apr 2014 14:41
Sporting goods retailer Sports Direct sunk sharply after it was reported that Founder Mike Ashley is selling 200m pounds-worth of shares, taking his stake from 62 per cent to 58 per cent. Goldman Sachs said it will place up to 24m shares acquired from MASH Holdings, Ashley's investment vehicle, wi
Read moreBroker tips: UK grocers, Whitbread, Synthomer...
8th Apr 2014 12:23
The outlook for profits across the UK grocery sector is 'highly constrained', according to Shore Capital, which has raised concerns about rising pricing contagion. The broker retained its 'sell' ratings for supermarket rivals Tesco and WM Morrison and online grocer Ocado. "We have harboured growing
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks at two-week low as Sports Direct and grocers fall
8th Apr 2014 11:52
- FTSE 100 at lowest since March 24th - Ukraine tensions flare up - US stocks fall ahead of Q1 earnings season - Sports Direct sinks on Ashley share sale, grocers fall techMARK 2,697.79 -1.18% FTSE 100 6,559.14 -0.96% FTSE 250 16,015.95 -1.52% UK stocks fell one per cent by Tuesday lunchtime, tra
Read moreBig Four see market share slip as discount stores increase sales, Kantar reveals
8th Apr 2014 11:06
The so-called 'Big Four' supermarkets have suffered a further reduction in their market share as the likes of Aldi and Lidl continue to deliver strong growth, data revealed Tuesday. According to research carried out by Kantar Worldpanel, in the 12 weeks ended March 30th, German discount store Aldi
Read moreShore Capital cautious on UK grocers as price war intensifies
8th Apr 2014 10:33
The outlook for profits across the UK grocery sector is 'highly constrained', according to Shore Capital, which raised concerns about rising pricing contagion. The broker has retained its 'sell' ratings for supermarket rivals Tesco and WM Morrison and online grocer Ocado. "We have harboured growin
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: Ukraine, Co-op Bank, Tesco
8th Apr 2014 07:04
There may be a faint glimmer of progress in the Ukraine. Following a telephone conversation between the US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, a meeting which will include European and Ukrainian officials has been arranged for within the next 10 days. However, that follows the
Read moreAsda to create up to 12,000 jobs with store expansion plan
7th Apr 2014 13:25
Wal-Mart owned supermarket chain Asda has unveiled plans to open 100 further stores and create as many as 12,000 jobs in the next five years. The group, which is third largest of the so-called 'Big Four' food retailers, wants to expand its store numbers, particularly in the south and south east, s
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