Wednesday preview: Barratt Developments, Inflation Report
15th Nov 2011 17:58
House builder Barratt Developments is expected to issue a trading update at its annual general meeting on Wednesday. Broker Northland Securities thinks particular attention will be focused on the site opening and sales rate per site figures. Barratt's peers have reported a stronger than expected
Read moreUPDATE: Tuesday broker round-up
20th Sep 2011 13:38
BAE Systems: Societe Generale upgrades to buy, raises target to 330p from 280p. Kesa Electricals: Espirito Santo downgrades to sell, cuts target from 110p to 75p. Wilmington Group: Peel Hunt upgrades to buy. Moneysupermarket.com: Brewin Dolphin upgrades to buy. Barratt Developments: Citigroup up
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Debenhams falls despite "buy" rating
20th Sep 2011 13:15
Debenhams dropped lower despite Singer Capital Markets reiterating its buy rating on the department store group, highlighting the company's fourth quarter earnings 'beat' and cheap valuation. Debenhams reported on Tuesday that it expects headline pre-tax profits in the year ended 27 August to surpa
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 rises 1% as euro fears ease
14th Sep 2011 16:30
The Footsie finished strongly on Wednesday, gaining over 1%, despite a slow start for US stocks after retail sales were unchanged in August. Stocks were helped on numerous reports of governments riding to the rescue of Europe - such as the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) who are said to be
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 buoyant as Next rallies retailers
14th Sep 2011 12:12
The volatility continues with the top share index in the blue now after a weak start. In what it confessed has been a difficult year so far, clothing retailer Next saw half-year sales rise 3% to £1,565m from the year before, while profit before tax jumped 8.5% to £228m. Excluding its Ventura arm, N
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 bounces back after early jitters
14th Sep 2011 09:00
The volatility continues with the top share index in the blue now after a weak start. In what it confessed has been a difficult year so far, clothing retailer Next saw half-year sales rise 3% to £1,565m from the year before, while profit before tax jumped 8.5% to £228m. Excluding its Ventura arm, N
Read moreLondon pre-open: Yesterday's gains to dissipate
14th Sep 2011 07:24
Yesterday's gains are set to be given back at the outset, with City sources predicting the FTSE 100 will open down 46 points from yesterday's close of 5,174. In what it confessed has been a difficult year so far, clothing retailer Next saw half-year sales rise 3% to £1,565m from the year before, wh
Read moreExceptional items prevent Barratt's return to profit
14th Sep 2011 07:12
House builder Barratt Developments claimed it made considerable progress last year, and though it remained in the red, it reported a narrowed pre-tax loss and would have been profitable but for exceptional costs. Revenue remained on a par with last year at £2,035.4m (2010: £2,035.2m). Loss before t
Read moreWednesday preview: Next, Barratt, Galliford Try, Hargreaves Services
13th Sep 2011 16:13
Fashion retailer Next said last month that total sales rose 3.2% in the first half of the year, as strong growth in online sales offset a moderate decline in its shops. It also said it expects the cost price inflation environment to improve, but given recent market volatility, it will be interesting
Read moreBarratt pondering sale of some shared equity loans
8th Aug 2011 08:19
The concept of slicing and dicing up mortgage books and selling them as "mortgage backed securities" could be about to return to favour, with house builder Barratt Developments confirming it is in the early stages of looking at options to monetise part of its interest in shared equity loans. The re
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Pendragon, Centaur, ABF
15th Jul 2011 06:33
The rights issue from Pendragon, our biggest car dealer, does the job of shoring-up the finances and putting the business in a better shape to go ahead. It is also enormous, nine new shares for eight and at 10p, is a 54% discount to the last closing share price. Nick Bubb at Arden Partners is looki
Read moreLondon close: Thomas Cook leads the decline
14th Jul 2011 16:47
Stocks closed firmly in the red on a day that saw stocks moving sharply in both directions after a raft of updates. Investors had a keen appetite for shares in Premier Foods. The Hovis bread and Sharwood ready-meals maker unveiled industry veteran Mike Clarke as its new head honcho. Clarke, current
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks move lower
14th Jul 2011 12:10
Stocks are deep in the red following this morning's slide. Associated British Foods is bucking the downward trend. It said its outlook for the full year is in line with expectations as its food arm and budget clothing retail chain Primark continue to perform well. Silver producer Fresnillo is spa
Read moreLondon open: ABF and Fresnillo buck the downward trend
14th Jul 2011 08:29
Stocks have taken a dive following a swoon on Wall Street last night, with worries over the Eurozone crisis continuing to cast a shadow. In the latest twist in that saga, ratings agency Fitch lowered its rating on Greece's long-term debt to CCC. Turning to stocks, Associated British Foods is bucki
Read moreLondon pre-open: Sharp falls expected
14th Jul 2011 07:46
London's blue-chip shares are set to open sharply lower, with traders taking note of the late swoon on Wall Street yesterday which saw early gains pared. City traders think the Footsie will open around 50 points down from last night's close of 5,906. House builder Barratt Developments confirmed it
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