Whitbread first-quarter sales boosted by Costa, Premier Inn
16th Jun 2015 07:29
Leisure group Whitbread said it has started the new financial year well, as strong growth at its Costa and Premier Inn brands made up for weakness in the restaurants division. Total sales increased by 12.5% in the first quarter ended 28 May, driven by 17.2% growth at Costa and a 14.3% improvement at
Read moreBroker tips: Whitbread, Compass Group, Infinis Energy
12th Jun 2015 11:45
Canaccord Genuity has lifted its recommendation on Costa and Premier Inn owner Whitbread from 'hold' to 'buy', saying it sees upside with the group on track to hit its medium-term targets. Analyst Nigel Parson said Whitbread's market-leading positions via Premier Inn and Costa mean the company is "w
Read moreCanaccord upgrades Whitbread on growth potential at Costa, Premier Inn
12th Jun 2015 09:29
Canaccord Genuity has lifted its recommendation on Costa and Premier Inn owner Whitbread from 'hold' to 'buy', saying it sees upside with the group on track to hit its medium-term targets. Analyst Nigel Parson said Whitbread's market-leading positions via Premier Inn and Costa mean the company is "w
Read moreLondon close: Stocks hit two-week high as blue chips rise
22nd May 2015 16:36
UK stocks reached a two-week high on Friday on the back of decent performances from heavyweights Vodafone and HSBC, along with gains in defensive categories such as pharmaceuticals. Markets across Europe were struggling to push higher on concerns about Greece, while Wall Street opened in the red on
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks hold on to gains before US CPI, Vodafone continues to rise
22nd May 2015 11:23
UK stocks held on to gains on Friday ahead of some key economic data from the States, which is forecast to show that the US remained in deflation last month. Strong gains from Vodafone, HSBC and a host of stocks in the mining sector were supporting markets in London. The FTSE 100 was up 0.37% at 7,
Read moreLondon open: Vodafone, HSBC and miners lead UK stocks higher
22nd May 2015 08:41
UK stocks opened higher on Friday morning and were on track to hit a two-week high ahead of another busy day for economic data. The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.41% at 7,042.57 early on, helped by decent gains from blue chips Vodafone and HSBC and the heavyweight mining sector. The index has not close
Read moreLondon pre-open: Subdued start expected ahead of economic data
22nd May 2015 07:32
UK stock markets were set for a quiet start on Friday as investors awaited a busy day on the economic data calendar. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open flat on Thursday's close of 7,013.47, its highest close since 11 May. Macro indicators came in mixed the previous session, with manufactur
Read moreWhitbread poaches new CEO Alison Brittain from Lloyds
22nd May 2015 07:06
Costa coffee shops and Premier Inns hotels owner Whitbread has appointed Alison Brittain, current head of Lloyds's high street banking division, as its new chief executive. Career banker Brittain, who has been at Lloyds since 2011 after previous roles at Santander and 20 years at Barclays, moves int
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: miners and oil stocks dominate fallers, ITV rebounds
15th May 2015 12:28
The UK blue chip index retreated on Friday as a calmer bond market and favourable British construction data was overpowered by a weaker commodities market. Sector-wise, oil and industrial metal stocks provided the biggest drag on the FTSE, dwarfing the boost provided by real estate and travel. At 3:
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
5th May 2015 14:59
Lloyds: Exane, UBS and Jefferies reiterated their buy recommendation, with the latter bumping up its price target to 201p from 88p. BT Group: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform and Barclays its overweight stance, with price targets of 495p and 600p, respectively. Aviva: Barclays ups target to 632p
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Whitbread, Alliance Trust
29th Apr 2015 20:05
A new branch of Whitbread's Costa coffee chain returns half the investment necessary to open it in just its first year. In terms of numbers that translate into a 46% return on capital. Little wonder then the company wants to increase sales from £1.4bn to £2.5bn by 2020. The other largest unit at the
Read moreWednesday broker round-up
29th Apr 2015 19:53
Sky: JP Morgan reiterates neutral stance and 1,170p target. GlaxoSmithKline: UBS reiterates buy and 1,700p target. StanChart: Nomura reiterates neutral and lifts target to 1,170p from 1,030p. UBS reiterates neutral stance with 1,000p target. Henderson Group: Citi reiterates buy with 3,250p target.
Read moreWhitbread director Ian Cheshire increases stake after upbeat full-year results
29th Apr 2015 15:47
A senior director at Whitbread bought shares on the same day the Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner delivered strong full-year results. Ian Cheshire, who is also the chief executive of Kingfisher and the chairman at the British Retail Consortium, purchased 1,863 new shares for 5,325p each, spending
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Astrazeneca hit by rival success, Centrica higher on takeover preparations
28th Apr 2015 13:28
Astrazeneca was trading lower after the results of a study showed US rival Merck's diabetes drug met heart-safety requirements. The British drug-maker's own treatment for the disease was recently required by US authorities to provide information about the risk of heart failure. Standard Chartered wa
Read moreLondon open: Stocks lower despite speculation on further Chinese easing
28th Apr 2015 09:10
Ahead of the release of UK economic growth figures, the Footsie started the day moving lower is what was otherwise expected to be another light day in terms of economic data. Traders' focus was squarely on the latest batch of company results in the first hour, both in the UK and over on the continen
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