FTSE 250 movers: Carpetright jumps as UK sales grow
5th Aug 2009 10:15
Carpet retailer Carpetright is the top riser in the FTSE 250 after it posted a rise in like-for-like sales in UK and Ireland in the 13 weeks to August 1. Ferrexpo saw profits slide 82% in the half of the year as commodity prices tumbled but the Ukrainian iron ore producer said it was seeing signs o
Read moreTaylor Wimpey starts to look forward again
5th Aug 2009 07:43
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey posted another thumping loss in the half year to June after more huge land bank write-offs, but orders rose with 'encouraging' signs of stability in both the UK and US. Losses in the six months to June totalled £604m, down from £1.55bn, on revenues of £1.13bn against £1.5
Read moreBroker tips: Vodafone, Compass, Housebuilders
24th Jul 2009 11:55
Friday's quarterly trading update from telecoms giant Vodafone contained nothing worrying enough to persuade Morgan Stanley to changes its favourable stance on the stock. The US bank has maintained its "overweight" recommendation for Vodafone, saying the "valuation thesis remains compelling." "Und
Read moreBroker snap: Housebuilders' rally a 'false dawn'
24th Jul 2009 11:50
KBC Peel Hunt, a long time bear on the housebuilding sector, is once again exhorting its clients to take profits on the housebuilders in the wake of what it regards as "a positive spin" put on housing market figures by property web site Rightmove. "Rightmove has hailed the bottom of the housing mar
Read moreLondon close: Footsie finishes ahead
20th Jul 2009 16:41
London's top stocks remained in the same range and closed with good gains as financials and miners had a strong day. Wall Street starting higher also helped. Sentiment was lifted in the US after reports that lender CIT Group has obtained a last-minute emergency financing rescue deal worth $3bn. Ll
Read moreLondon afternoon: Strong US opening keeps Footsie ahead
20th Jul 2009 15:47
A strong start on Wall Street has kept Footsie in the blue though it has lost some of its early momentum. Lloyds Banking is the best performer on a weekend report it could post an interim profit despite enormous bad-debt provisions. Some of its most toxic sub-prime investments have clawed back bill
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Housebuilders on top
20th Jul 2009 14:10
Housebuilders dominate the mid-cap index Monday following bright news on the housing market. Mortgage lending leapt by 17% in June to £12.3bn, its highest since December, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The Bank of England said the six major banks approved 51,000 mortgages for
Read moreLondon midday: Banks lead Footsie higher
20th Jul 2009 12:21
Blue chips have continued their recent surge with banks among the top risers as sentiment in the sector is boosted by last week's earnings reports from US rivals. Lloyds Banking is the best performer on a weekend report it could post an interim profit despite enormous bad-debt provisions. Some of i
Read moreBroker tips: M&S, Lloyds, housebuilders
1st Jul 2009 12:46
The first quarter trading update from Marks & Spencer has pleased the market, with the food division showing its third consecutive quarter of improved performance. Singer Capital Markets, which believes the shares are fairly priced, acknowledges that first quarter sales were "considerably better" t
Read moreBroker snap: Housebuilders oversold
1st Jul 2009 12:02
The share price revival by housebuilders ran out of steam in June but Merrill Lynch believes many of the big names in the sector are undervalued and trading on a "worst case scenario" basis. The broker has upgraded Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon from "neutral" to "buy" on valuation grounds. Merrill Ly
Read moreLuxury house prices up, land values slump
24th Jun 2009 12:21
A lack of access to sufficient cash could restrict the quoted housebuilders to putting up houses rather than flats on smaller sites and serviced plots. Upmarket estate agent Savills says new sites are tending to be small, up to 50 units, as larger builders struggle under a pile of debt despite rece
Read moreBroker tips: Water companies, Carnival, Taylor Wimpey
19th Jun 2009 13:19
Cruise operator Carnival's second quarter trading update yesterday has been generally well received by the investment analyst community, with Evolution, Numis and Charles Stanley all making positive noises. Charles Stanley said the second quarter figures were ahead of prior guidance and market cons
Read moreBroker snap: Panmure remains cautious on Taylor Wimpey
19th Jun 2009 12:47
The AGM statement from Taylor Woodrow on Friday morning gave a lift to the whole of the housebuilding sector, but Panmure Gordon is refusing to get carried away by the wave of optimism. Broker Panmure Gordon said the upbeat tone should not have been a surprise, however, given that the company has g
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Taylor Wimpey to increase outlet openings
19th Jun 2009 11:18
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey surged after it said it may increase outlet openings during the second half of the year following continued stability in the UK housing market since April's final results. Its net private reservation rate remains at around 0.6 per site per week, with prices broadly flat a
Read moreLondon open: Footsie opens higher
19th Jun 2009 08:44
Footsie has started the day with a gentle lift upwards following overnight gains in the US. Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey may increase outlet openings during the second half of the year following continued stability in the UK housing market since April's final results. It leads the FTSE 350 risers and
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