Broker snap: Credit Suisse downgrades Severn Trent after of Ofwat, dividend at risk
23rd Jan 2014 11:14
Credit Suisse has downgraded its rating for Severn Trent from 'neutral' to 'underperform' and cut its target price from 1,580p to 1,540p ahead of the Ofwat regulatory price review that will set prices for 2015-20. The review, which concludes on January 27th, will set a so-called 'vanilla' weighted
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat after mixed data from China, Europe
23rd Jan 2014 08:50
- Chinese manufacturing unexpectedly contracts - PMI figures from Eurozone beat forecasts - Raft of US data due out later on - Pearson drops after gloomy update techMARK 2,854.33 +0.22% FTSE 100 6,830.94 +0.07% FTSE 250 16,142.38 -0.03% The FTSE 100 opened more or less flat on Thursday as investor
Read moreLondon midday: Mining strength buoys FTSE after mixed retail updates
16th Jan 2014 11:30
- Retail updates come in mixed - Citi turns bullish on mining sector - Markets flat after recent highs techMARK 2,836.75 -0.14% FTSE 100 6,823.76 +0.06% FTSE 250 16,237.17 -0.34% UK markets paused for breath on Thursday morning after hitting their highest level in eight months the previous session
Read moreBroker tips: Miners, United Utilities, AB Foods
16th Jan 2014 11:30
Mining stocks were performing well in London on Thursday morning after Citigroup lifted its 12-month stance on the sector from 'neutral' to 'bullish', representing its first positive outlook for the industry in three years. The bank has labelled BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Glencore Xstrata as its "k
Read moreBroker snap: Morgan Stanley upgrades United Utilities ahead of Ofwat pricing review
16th Jan 2014 09:09
Morgan Stanley has raised its rating for United Utilities as part of its review into the UK water sector ahead of the Ofwat regulatory price review that will set prices for 2015-20. "The 2014 regulatory review will clearly be tough but this is surely well known," the US bank said in a research repo
Read moreLondon open: Stocks pause at eight-month high after mixed updates
16th Jan 2014 08:30
- Aberdeen drops as AuM fall three per cent - Retailers mixed as companies report festive sales - Mining stocks broadly higher, BHP Billiton upgraded techMARK 2,841.00 +0.01% FTSE 100 6,821.68 +0.03% FTSE 250 16,275.67 -0.11% Mixed corporate results weighed on UK markets on Thursday morning, as th
Read moreBroker snap: JP Morgan waters down Severn Trent rating
7th Jan 2014 12:51
After tough talk by the water regulator about the upcoming regulatory review period, JP Morgan has issued a cautionary note on the UK water companies, saying the chance of mergers and acquisitions is now less likely this year. "We believe that Ofwat's decision to alter the price review timetable
Read moreLondon close: Markets flat as investors turn cautious ahead of Fed
18th Dec 2013 16:41
- Stocks trading within narrow range ahead of Fed - Fed decision due at 19:00 London time - BoE votes unanimously on policy, warns of sterling strength - UK unemployment falls to four-and-a-half-year low techMARK 2,697.26 +0.47% FTSE 100 6,492.08 +0.09% FTSE 250 15,366.70 +0.12% Markets finished b
Read moreLondon midday: Markets await Fed as data turns heat up on MPC
18th Dec 2013 11:16
- Taper speculation picks up ahead of Fed decision - MPC votes unanimously on policy, warns of sterling strength - UK unemployment falls to four-and-a-half-year low - Retailers under the weather techMARK 2,693.27 +0.32% FTSE 100 6,500.40 +0.22% FTSE 250 15,391.16 +0.28% UK markets held on to gains
Read moreLondon open: Markets edge higher despite taper uncertainty
18th Dec 2013 08:21
- Fed meeting in focus, decision due out after close - BoE minutes to be released this morning - M&S downgraded by UBS to 'neutral' - Oil stocks in focus after exploration updates techMARK 2,701.33 +0.62% FTSE 100 6,512.99 +0.41% FTSE 250 15,387.21 +0.25% Markets opened slightly higher on Wednesda
Read moreLondon close: Stocks fall one per cent on earnings, taper fears
12th Dec 2013 16:39
- Perform plummets after profit warning - Sports Direct and Wood Group fall sharply after results - Taper bets increase ahead of Fed meeting, US data in focus - FTSE 100 at lowest level since mid-October techMARK 2,652.61 -0.83% FTSE 100 6,445.25 -0.96% FTSE 250 15,211.54 -1.20% The FTSE 100 finis
Read moreSector movers: Defensive utilities gain amid wider market weakness
12th Dec 2013 15:25
The utilities industry was the only sector trading in positive territory on Thursday as investors turned to defensive assets amid a wider market sell-off. London's FTSE 100 was trading as much as 1% lower during today's session as investors scaled back their risk appetite ahead of a potential taper
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Sports Direct dives in spite of leap in H1 profit
12th Dec 2013 15:17
Sportswear and equipment retailer Sports Direct slumped today despite delivering a near-17 per cent jump in underlying profits during its first half, driven by an increase in online and international sales. However, the company did say that '[current] trading has now reverted to management's origina
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat on budget deal, taper speculation
11th Dec 2013 08:28
- US negotiators reach budget deal - Taper speculation ramps up ahead of Fed meeting - Imagination disappoints with poor H2 outlook - RBS Finance Director Bostock steps down techMARK 2,678.82 +0.23% FTSE 100 6,524.52 +0.02% FTSE 250 15,401.84 -0.06% Markets opened broadly flat on Wednesday in the
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Royal Mail, United Utilities, Serco
28th Nov 2013 08:32
Reality checks are always useful. Despite what the bulls would have you believe Royal Mail's latest interim revenues were just two per cent higher and those in the main UK parcel and letter delivery business up by only one per cent. As well, the at first glance attractive nine per cent increase in p
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