Sector movers: Food stocks jump after Unilever acquisition
27th Sep 2010 14:26
The food producer sector is higher for non-food reasons. Investors have applauded food and household goods giant Unilever's purchase of the US firm Alberto Culver, whose brands include the haircare specialist V05, for $3.7bn (£2.3bn). Imperial Tobacco is dragging the tobacco sector lower. The Lam
Read moreLondon afternoon: Back to square one
27th Sep 2010 14:20
The market really can't make up its mind today, with the Footsie now back at Friday's closing level after opening firmer and then turning lower this morning. Unilever is the best performer. The household products group is paying $3.7bn (£2.3bn) in cash for America's Alberto Culver, adding the TRESe
Read moreBroker tips: Unilever, Healthcare Locums, PureCircle
27th Sep 2010 13:21
The acquisition by Unilever of US-based Alberto Culver for $3.7bn in cash is a big deal, both in a literal and colloquial sense, according to Charles Stanley, which has reiterated its recommendation to accumulate shares in the consumer products giant. Jeremy Batstone-Carr, head of private client re
Read moreBroker snap: Unilever bulks up in hair styling
27th Sep 2010 13:16
The acquisition by Unilever of US-based Alberto Culver for $3.7bn in cash is a big deal, both in a literal and colloquial sense, according to Charles Stanley, which has reiterated its recommendation to accumulate shares in the consumer products giant. Jeremy Batstone-Carr, head of private client re
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Positive reaction to Unilever deal
27th Sep 2010 12:52
Investors have reacted favourably to Unilever's $3.7bn (£2.3bn) purchase of Alberto Culver, the owner of such brands as TRESemmé, Nexxus, VO5, St Ives and Simple. Barclays Capital has launched research into Autonomy with an overweight rating and has Sage at equalweight. Vedanta Resources is high
Read moreLondon midday: Blue-chips turn south
27th Sep 2010 12:06
Investors with portfolios weighted towards second-liners are happier than those more exposed to blue-chip stocks, as the FTSE 100 turns south while the FTSE 250 pushes ahead. Wolseley, supplier of goods to the plumbing and heating trade, is to shift its tax base to Switzerland and resume paying div
Read moreLondon open: Gains continue
27th Sep 2010 08:55
Equities have extended Friday's near-1% rally following huge gains on Wall Street and triple-digit advances in the Far East. In company news, Wolseley, the supplier of goods to the plumbing and heating trade, is to shift its tax base to Switzerland and resume paying dividends. Although revenue for
Read moreLondon pre-open: Promising start is forecast
27th Sep 2010 07:38
Equities are set to extend Friday's near-1% rally following huge gains on Wall Street and triple-digit advances in the Far East. In company news, Wolseley, the supplier of goods to the plumbing and heating trade, is to resume paying dividends at the interim stage next year after finishing the old y
Read moreUnilever buys TRESemmé owner for £2.3bn
27th Sep 2010 07:05
Unilever is paying $3.7bn (£2.3bn) in cash for Alberto Culver, adding the TRESemmé, Nexxus, VO5, St Ives and Simple brands to the household goods conglomerate's portfolio. The company, which already makes Dove soap, Clear and Sunsilk shampoos, Pond's skincare range and Vaseline, is paying $37.50 a
Read moreBroker snap: Exit AB Foods, investors advised
13th Sep 2010 11:14
Investors should switch out of AB Foods into Unilever following today's trading update from the sugar giant and Primark owner, advises Charles Stanley. Forecasts of a 6% increase in like for like sales at discount clothes store Primark during the 53 weeks to 18 September is down from 8% rise for th
Read moreCSC finance boss goes shopping
10th Aug 2010 16:21
Matthew Roberts, finance director of the property group Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), has opened his account in the company, spending more than £100,000 on shares. He took 30,000 shares at 335p a time, his first purchase of shares in CSC, which owns the Lakeside shopping centre in Essex as well
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners help to hold up index
6th Aug 2010 14:58
Footsie is barely changed on the day despite a sharp fall after the publication of disappointing US job figures. Mining companies make up five out of the 10 best performers. Exane BNP Paribas has upgraded Kazakhmys and Rio Tinto. Lonmin is the biggest faller because of a dispute over prospecting r
Read moreLondon close: Footsie finishes lower
5th Aug 2010 16:56
Blue chips closed lower on a mixed day for company results. Insurers rose on the back of figures from Aviva and RSA, but banks slipped back on Barclays' numbers. Disappointing unemployment data from the US also undermined confidence, while the decision from the Bank of England and ECB to keep inter
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Insurers please market
5th Aug 2010 15:40
Strong results from insurers are offsetting disappointing figures from other Footsie companies. Aviva reported a better-than-expected 21% rise in its half-year profit, while RSA Insurance Group announced revenue growth in all geographic regions and a 'resilient underwriting result' in what was a t
Read moreSector movers: Food stocks turn sour
5th Aug 2010 14:43
Investors have lost their appetite for food producers after a good day yesterday. Hovis bread maker Premier Foods gave the sector a lift despite posting a fall in profits and saying high wheat prices will hurt the full year figures. But investors have been digesting figures from Unilever, maker of
Read more