Acquisition time for WPP ... again
16th Apr 2012 13:15
It will come of little surprise that global advertising giant WPP is giving its well-thumbed cheque book another bashing, this time with the acquisition of a minority interest in Dubai-based firm GME. GME is a consultancy services business that employs 16 people with clients that include Samsung a
Read moreSector movers: Industrial miners shrug off Chinese data
13th Apr 2012 15:12
Industrial metals and mining stocks were the best performers of the day despite some worse-than-expected economic data from China. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in China slowed to an annual rate of 8.1% in the first quarter of 2012, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, down from th
Read moreWPP announces second acquisition of the day
4th Apr 2012 13:33
Global advertising giant WPP announced its second acquisition of the day on Wednesday, after its wholly-owned subsidiary Burson-Marsteller purchased the assets of Crowdverb, a start-up company based in Seattle, Washington. Crowdverb, which was purchased for an undisclosed sum, joins WPP's legion o
Read moreLondon pre-open: FOMC sparks lower start for FTSE
4th Apr 2012 07:35
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open down 14 points from yesterday's close of 5,838, hit by the Federal Open Market Committee's revelation that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to make any more bond purchases to stimulate the US economy further. Highly acquisitive media giant WPP is to acqui
Read moreWPP expands European digital operations with another acquisition
4th Apr 2012 07:01
Highly acquisitive media giant WPP is to acquire Hungarian marketing agency Carnation Internet Tanacsado Zrt for an undisclosed sum, as it attempts to expand its footprint within digital media. Carnation, based in Hungary's capital Budapest but with other offices in Serbia, Austria and Romania, ser
Read moreWPP whips out cheque-book again
3rd Apr 2012 16:33
Another day, another acquisition for WPP, the insatiable advertising conglomerate. This time it has grabbed a minority stake in Barrows, an agency focused on the fast moving capital goods sector. WPP is taking a 35% holding in Barrows, an agency which provides a diverse range of services, including
Read moreWPP ups stake in Chime
28th Mar 2012 13:09
Global advertising giant WPP is slowly increasing its stake in smaller rival Chime Communications, the public relations, advertising and communications group chaired by Lord Bell, said to be Margaret thatcher's favourite public relations man when she was in her iron-booted pomp. WPP has increased i
Read moreLondon open: Miners pull the Footsie lower
20th Mar 2012 08:36
- Miners fall as BHP warns of slowing steel production in China - OBR to raise UK GDP forecasts for 2012 - ARM, National Grid, United Utilities rise after upgrades The FTSE 100 slumped in the opening hour on Tuesday as the miners dragged the blue chip index into the red for a second day. According
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks down ahead of today's CPI and RPI data
20th Mar 2012 07:28
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open down 19 points from yesterday's close of 5,961 ahead of today's Consumer Price Index and Retail Price Index data as investors await fresh direction from the market. Advertising and media giant WPP is to buy a minority stake in Pakistan-based marketing
Read moreWPP snaps up stake in Pakistani marketing firm
20th Mar 2012 07:03
Advertising and media giant WPP is to buy a minority stake in Pakistan-based marketing agency Coverge Technologies for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, which is to be made by a subscription for new shares, is already WPP's 10th of 2012. The firm, led by frontman Martin Sorrell, is making the pu
Read moreWPP to set up JV in Vietnam
14th Mar 2012 07:24
Martin Sorrell's advertising and media giant WPP is looking to launch a joint venture (JV) in Vietnam, expanding in one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Burson-Marsteller, WPP's public relations and public affairs division, is to take a majority stake in the JV with local partner Chu Th
Read moreThursday broker round-up - UPDATE
8th Mar 2012 09:31
Admiral: Nomura raises target from 1,100p to 1,300p, buy rating kept; Collins Stewart ups target from 975p to 1,110p, hold rating kept; Credit Suisse reiterates outperform rating and 1,300p. Afren: UBS raises target from 140p to 150p, buy rating maintained. Amlin: Jefferies raises target from 317p
Read moreFriday broker round-up - UPDATE
2nd Mar 2012 09:28
Man Group: UBS raises target from 160p to 165p, buy rating unchanged. WPP: UBS ups target from 840p to 920p, buy rating kept. Standard Chartered: AlphaValue downgrades from reduce to sell, price target upped from 1,413.8p to 1,425.9p. IMI: Panmure Gordon keeps buy rating and 1,020p target. Cairn
Read moreLondon close: Stocks rise on euro optimism
1st Mar 2012 17:00
- Greek CDSs will not be triggered, ISDA says. - Merkel may be willing to consider bailout fund increase. - Man Group surges after shaking up divi policy. - Tata weighing up a bid for Cable and Wireless Worldwide. It was a bullish start to March, with London's blue chips finishing close their hi
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Going overboard on Man
1st Mar 2012 12:29
Investors were going overboard on Man Group following the announcement of a more generous dividend policy and a slow-down in the net outflow of funds at the hedge fund manager. The group said funds under management (FUM) at the end of February clocked in at around $59.5bn, up from the end of 2011
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