London close: Footsie registers best weekly performance this year
23rd Nov 2012 16:45
- FTSE 100 gains 3.8 per cent higher on the week - German and French confidence data beats expectations - EU summit ends with deadlock After a subdued start, UK stocks rallied in afternoon trade on Friday with decent economic figures from Germany and France lifting the mood. The positive finish h
Read moreUnited Utilities joins host of water groups to reject Ofwat proposals
23rd Nov 2012 14:18
United Utilities has spoken out against Ofwat's licence proposals for the water sector, saying that they are not in the best interests of customers, investors and shareholders. Industry regulator Ofwat released a statement on Tuesday evening that sought to clarify some licence modification proposal
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Water groups take a bath; SABMiller extends gains
23rd Nov 2012 14:00
Utilities stocks were among the worst performers of the day on Friday as companies reacted to Tuesday's Ofwat statement in which it clarified some licence modification proposals following requests for more information from shareholders. The general consensus is that water suppliers do not agree wi
Read moreWeek ahead: Severn Trent, United Utilities, Kingfisher
23rd Nov 2012 09:32
Next week will see traders return to their desks in full-force following the long Thanksgiving Day holiday in the United States. Foremost on their minds will be two things, the most recent survey data for US retailers out over this past weekend and Monday evening's meeting of Eurozone finance minist
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rallies in afternoon trade
21st Nov 2012 16:30
- Greek aid agreement expected next week - Trading expected to be light tomorrow - Johnson Matthey tumbles six per cent after gloomy outlook The FTSE 100 opened on the back foot on Wednesday morning after the initial disappointment regarding a delay in funds to Greece; however comments by Eurozone
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Johnson Matthey dives as divi disappoints
21st Nov 2012 15:15
Shares in platinum refiner Johnson Matthey tumbled after it reported a six per cent drop in profits in the first half, while warning that it doesn't expect things to pick up in the latter part of the fiscal year and announcing a lower-than-expected dividend increase. Chief Executive Neil Carson sa
Read moreSector movers: Water stocks celebrate 'softer' stance from Ofwat
21st Nov 2012 15:04
Utilities stocks were performing well on Wednesday afternoon after an Ofwat statement eased concerns in the sector about water price controls. Industry regulator Ofwat released a statement on Tuesday evening that sought to clarify some licence modification proposals following requests for more info
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks pare losses but market cautious
21st Nov 2012 11:54
- Eurogroup delays Greek aid - MPC minutes show 8-to-1 vote in favour of maintaining QE - Johnson Matthey and Compass lower after results UK stocks had trimmed losses by Wednesday lunchtime but was trading within a narrow range as investors remain cautious following an inconclusive meeting of Euroz
Read moreLondon open: Stocks fall as Greek aid delayed
21st Nov 2012 08:36
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dropped into the red in early trading on Wednesday morning after Eurozone finance ministers delayed a decision on the next tranche of the Greek bailout. Matthew Nelson, a financial sales trader from Spreadex, said this morning: "The poor sentiment has not been aide
Read moreLondon close: Stocks drop on concerns over Greece
8th Nov 2012 16:31
- Greek bailout delay concerns sink stocks - Draghi expects Eurozone to remain 'weak' - BoE and ECB keep policy stance unchanged After solid gains in the morning session, equity markets in London swung into the red in afternoon trade, after dreary comments from Mario Draghi and concerns about a bai
Read moreBroker tips: United Utilities, Chemring, Balfour Beatty
8th Nov 2012 11:03
Nomura has downgraded its rating for United Utilities (UU) from 'buy' to 'neutral', saying that the stock is now a fully valued take-out option. Analyst Jonathan Constable said: "We estimate that the shares are pricing in an acquisition in the next six months with a probability of one-fifth for eac
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura downgrades United Utilities after strong run
8th Nov 2012 10:53
Nomura has downgraded its rating for United Utilities (UU), saying that the stock is now a fully valued take-out option. UU's year-to-date performance has been strong, with the shares outperforming UK 10-year Gilts by 9% and the FTSE 100 by 5%. Nomura says that this was driven by media rumours that
Read moreThursday broker round-up
8th Nov 2012 09:01
AB Foods: Credit Suisse ups tagged from 1,300p to 1,450p, outperform rating kept. Aviva: Panmure Gordon keeps buy rating and 425p target. Balfour Beatty: Panmure Gordon keeps buy rating and 310p target. BTG: Jefferies keeps hold rating and 360p target; Panmure Gordon keeps hold rating and 400p t
Read moreWednesday broker round-up
7th Nov 2012 08:59
3Leg Resources: Jefferies keeps buy rating and 100p target AB Foods: Barclays Capital ups target from 1,375p to 1,475p, overweigh rating kept; Nomura ups target from 1,380p to 1,500p, buy rating kept. Aberdeen: UBS ups target from 340p to 370p, buy rating kept. Babcock: Jefferies ups target from
Read moreMonday broker round-up
5th Nov 2012 08:19
Aggreko: Goldman Sachs cuts target from 3,692p to 3,460p, conviction buy rating kept. Asian Citrus: Seymour Pierce keeps buy rating and 50p target; BG Group: Nomura keeps buy rating and 1,600p target. BP: HSBC cuts target from 550p to 530p, overweight rating kept. Brewin Dophin: RBC Capital Mark
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