WPP like-for-like sales disappoint in first quarter but outlook remains positive
23rd Apr 2015 10:01
First quarter like-for-like sales growth from Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP was slightly slower than hoped, though profits and margin at the media megalith were "well above target" and the outlook statement was unchanged. After results from other ad agency giants had indicated good sales momentum, WPP fa
Read moreMonday broker round-up
30th Mar 2015 18:40
Carnival: Numis upgrades to add with target price of 3,600p, Credit Suisse keeps at outperform, while Jefferies stays at underperform with 2,300p target. Barclays: JP Morgan Cazenove reiterates overweight. WPP: UBS reiterates buy, ups target to 1,700p from 1,500p. Marks&Spencer: Credit Suisse impr
Read moreMonday broker round-up
23rd Mar 2015 13:51
RBS: Nomura reiterates buy and lowers target to 350p from 370p. WPP: Westhouse Securities reiterates add lifts target to 1732p from 1577p. HSBC: Nomura reiterates neutral and shaves target to 590p. StanChart: JP Morgan upgrades to overweight. Citi reiterates buy and lifts target to 1300p from 1250
Read moreFriday broker round-up
20th Mar 2015 15:33
Asos: Citi reiterates neutral. TSB Banking: Numis reiterates hold and 340p target. Aviva: Nomura reiterates buy and lifts target to 690p from 650p. WPP: Morgan Stanley reiterates buy and raises target to 1,625p from 1,400p. Tullow Oil: Barclays reiterates overweight and 550p target. William Hill
Read moreWesthouse lifts WPP's target price citing 'encouraging outlook'
20th Mar 2015 12:01
Advertising and public relations group WPP was handed a boost by Westhouse Research, after the brokerage reiterated its 'add' rating on the stock and lifted its target price. Earlier this month, the FTSE 100 group reported a 12% increase in pre-tax profit to £1.45bn, while revenues rose 4.6% to £11.
Read moreWPP interest in buying Tesco's data arm is logically a compelling deal - Bernstein
18th Mar 2015 13:51
Advertising titan WPP's interest in buying Tesco's data arm Dunnhumby is by logic, a compelling opportunity, said brokerage firm Bernstein. The broker on Wednesday reacted to WPP's confirmation of interest in Tesco's data business on Tuesday when WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell spoke at the Media & Tele
Read moreWPP boss Sorrell to receive maximum payout of shares under reward scheme
16th Mar 2015 10:10
WPP's chief executive Martin Sorrell will receive £36m worth of shares for his performance this year, the UK advertising giant revealed on Monday. The 2.3m shares are part of a scheme, dating back to 2010, that rewards success. The company is likely to come under scrutiny as shareholders have previ
Read moreWPP invests in Swedish internet TV outfit FlowNetwork
10th Mar 2015 08:09
Advertising and media giant WPP is to buy a minority stake in Swedish over-the-top TV service FlowNetwork. FlowNetwork delivers programmes via the internet, supplying Sweden's regional newspapers such as Norrköpings tidningar, Folkbladet and Motala Vadstena Tidning with technology and content. The
Read moreLondon close: Greek concerns send UK stocks to three-week low
9th Mar 2015 17:01
UK stocks fell on Monday, dropping to their lowest in three weeks, as renewed concerns about Greece weighed on sentiment. London's FTSE 100 finished down 0.51% at 6,876.47 by the end of trading on the back of losses in the real estate and construction sectors. The index has not closed below this lev
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Exane boosts StanChart, sees buy-backs at Glencore
9th Mar 2015 14:04
Analysts at Exane BNP Paribas have hiked their price target on shares of Standard Chartered to 940p from 875p but write that that the chances of a dividend cut are now greater than 50%. On the plus side of things, the broker adds that the lender can now probably avoid a capital increase. On the subj
Read moreLondon midday: Greek fears hit UK stocks as ECB kicks off QE
9th Mar 2015 11:56
UK stocks were trading in the red on Monday despite gains in the heavyweight mining sector as Greek fears dampened sentiment. London's FTSE 100 was down 0.63% at 6,868.56 by midday. Greece's new government has threatened that they could call a referendum or have early elections if the Eurozone reje
Read moreLondon open: Stocks decline on Greek fears, global trade data
9th Mar 2015 08:40
UK stocks fell on Monday morning on the back of renewed concerns about Greece, while investors digested the latest trade data from China and Germany. London's FTSE 100 was down 0.55% at 6,873.61 within the opening hour of trade. Greece's new government has threatened that they could call a referend
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks set to fall early on after Chinese trade data
9th Mar 2015 07:54
UK stocks were expected to retreat on Monday morning as investors focused on Chinese trade data and the prospect of an earlier-than-expected rate rise by the Fed. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 25 points lower than Friday's close of 6,911.80. In economic data, China's trade surplus roc
Read moreUpbeat WPP posts record profit of £1.5bn
9th Mar 2015 07:11
WPP, the world's biggest advertising company recorded a £1.5bn annual profit in 2014 and kicked off 2015 on a strong note. For the full year, WPP grew pre-tax profits by 12% to £1.45bn on reported revenue of £11.53bn, which was up 4.6% year over year. The group also posted a 3.3% rise in comparable
Read moreBerenberg cautious on broadcasters as media investor attitudes shift
12th Jan 2015 11:04
After a surprising decline in print advertising during 2014 and the inexorable increases of online video, broker Berenberg views the media sector as expensive, with the best potential for structural growth in online, gaming and outdoor. "2015 looks set to be a year in which investor attitudes toward
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