Barclays sees take-out upside for Vodafone

26th Feb 2014 12:32

Barclays sees several challenges ahead for Vodafone post-Verizon Wireless, not least increasingly tough European mobile trends for the group and how it can make best use of its underleveraged balance sheet. More intriguingly, there is the ongoing press speculation that a bid by AT&T is looming for

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London close: Stocks end higher, boosted by gains Stateside

24th Feb 2014 16:32

- FTSE closes up 28 points, Bunzl leads - Yellen praised for strong G20 performance - Eurozone CPI revised slightly higher techMARK 2,917.47 +0.80% FTSE 100 6,865.86 +0.41% FTSE 250 16,539.29 +0.48% UK stocks got the week off to a decent start, lifted by strong performances from Vodafone and Bunzl

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Samsung, Sony and Nokia to show new phones at Mobile World Congress

24th Feb 2014 15:59

Mobile phone companies on Monday began unveiling the latest in smartphone technology at this week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Sony announced its new Sony Xperia Z2, a slim and waterproof premium Android smart-phone designed to take on Apple's iPad Air. The device, which features v

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FTSE 100 movers: Vodafone rises after completion of share consolidation

24th Feb 2014 14:17

Vodafone shares were higher following the completion of the sale of its stake in Verizon Wireless and the attendant share consolidation. The sale has reduced the value of the telecoms giant by nearly 51bn pounds. The firm also announced its intention to redeem approximately 3.5bn pounds of its own n

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London open: Chinese data pushes stocks into the red

24th Feb 2014 08:20

- Rate of Chinese property price growth slows - Carney dismissed banks' capital requirement concerns - Bunzl jumps on strong results techMARK 2,898.44 +0.14% FTSE 100 6,823.97 -0.21% FTSE 250 16,449.66 -0.07% Disappointing data out from China overnight pushed the FTSE firmly into the red this mor

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Monday broker round-up UPDATE

24th Feb 2014 08:15

Associated British Foods: Numis downgrades from reduce to sell with a target price of 2240p. Panmure Gordon raises target price from 2500p to 2760p and maintains a hold recommendation. Jefferies increases target price from 2450p to 2600p and keeps a hold recommendation. Aviva: JP Morgan shifts targ

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Sunday newspaper round-up: RSA, RBS, BSkyB

23rd Feb 2014 14:15

Stephen Hester, the new Chief Executive of RSA Insurance, is preparing an 800m pounds rights issue to strengthen the company's balance sheet, the Sunday Times said. Hester, who joined RSA three weeks ago, is expected to announce the capital raising with annual results on February 27th. The fundraisi

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Sector movers: Vodafone cash return lifts mobile telecoms higher

21st Feb 2014 15:18

Speculation surrounding the cash windfall for Vodafone shareholders gave the mobile telecoms sector a boost on Friday, as the firm's sale of its stake in Verizon Wireless will prompt the largest capital return in corporate history. According to analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the transac

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FTSE 100 movers: BAE recovers after sharp declines

21st Feb 2014 14:26

BAE Systems was regaining some of yesterday's heavy losses, rising into the stop spot by this afternoon. The group suffered a sharp decline on Thursday after it warned that profits could fall by up to 10 per cent on the back of pressures on US government spending, and despite reporting a three per c

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London midday: Stocks at one-month high on Vodafone capital return

21st Feb 2014 11:45

- Vodafone and RBS provide a lift - Vodafone capital return lifts sentiment - IHG, Glencore Xstrata hit by downgrades - FTSE 100 at highest level in month techMARK 2,884.38 +0.29% FTSE 100 6,827.26 +0.21% FTSE 250 16,401.56 +0.20% UK stocks rose to levels not seen in a month on Friday as a windfal

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Vodafone capital return to have big impact on trading volumes, says BofA

21st Feb 2014 11:22

The completion of Vodafone's Verizon Wireless sale is set to prompt the largest capital return in corporate history and will have a drastic impact on UK trading volumes over the next few weeks, according to analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. As part of the $130bn deal to dispose of Vodafone

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Friday broker round-up UPDATE

21st Feb 2014 10:11

Barratt Developments: JP Morgan raises target price from 360p to 420p, while downgrading to neutral. Bellway: JP Morgan takes target price from 1450p to 2000p and retains an overweight rating. Bodycote: UBS initiates with a target price of 800p and a buy recommendation. Bovis Homes Group: JP Morg

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London open: Stocks at one-month high as Vodafone, RBS gain

21st Feb 2014 08:47

- Vodafone, RBS and Glaxo provide a lift - IHG, Glencore Xstrata hit by downgrades - FTSE 100 at highest intraday level in month techMARK 2,891.98 +0.55% FTSE 100 6,840.31 +0.40% FTSE 250 16,419.58 +0.31% Strong gains from heavyweights Vodafone, RBS and GlaxoSmithKline gave UK markets a boost on

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London close: First rise in Bank rate possible before elections

20th Feb 2014 16:36

- Markets pare early losses - Weak Chinese data weighs on mining stocks - FOMC minutes prompt some rate hike fears - First rise in Bank rate could come before elections techMARK 2,876.09 +0.02% FTSE 100 6,812.99 +0.24% FTSE 250 16,368.83 +0.13% UK markets managed to recoup early losses following

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FTSE 100 movers: BAE slides on possible profit drop

20th Feb 2014 15:38

Military hardware manufacturer BAE Systems slumped despite reporting a three per cent increase in operating profits to 1.9bn pounds for 2013, after it warned that profits could fall by up to 10 per cent on the back of pressures on US government spending. Mining stocks Anglo American, Glencore Xstra

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