Broker tips: Centrica, Howden Joinery, Beazley
22nd Jul 2011 12:19
Credit Suisse recommends to buy UK energy giant Centrica at current levels, saying that its full-year earnings estimates are ahead of consensus, reflecting its bullish view on supply margins within British Gas Residential Energy (BGRE). In regards to BGRE, Credit Suisse forecasts a top-of-the-rang
Read moreBroker snap: Beazley constrained by catastrophes, says Peel Hunt
22nd Jul 2011 12:17
Peel Hunt maintains its hold rating on insurance firm Beazley, saying there is downward pressure on its forecasts based on the losses seen in the first half and the higher-than-expected expense ratio. The group reported catastrophe losses of $183m over the first half, contributing to a pre-tax loss
Read moreBeazley weathers catastrophe storm
22nd Jul 2011 09:19
Beazley, the insurance company, incurred a pre-tax loss of $24.2m (£14.8m) in the first six months of 2011, during a tumultuous period that saw a series of catastrophes in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US. In its interim management statement, Beazley confirms its $154m estimate of net cost
Read more3i director buys ahead of share price jump
12th May 2011 17:16
Willem Mesdag, a director at the private equity group 3i, invested more than £280,000 in the company following well-received full-year results and benefited from a strong rise in the share price. He took 100,000 shares at 281p a time. The shares closed just shy of 290p, meaning that Mesdag has made
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish for FTSE 100
21st Apr 2011 16:53
Shares calmed down at the end of a volatile week, though there were some interesting company updates for traders to get their teeth into ahead of the Easter break. Data search software firm Autonomy stormed ahead after releasing full-year figures in the afternoon. It posted record earnings in the f
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: William Hill bets on full year targets
21st Apr 2011 13:33
Bookmaker William Hill is the best performer after reporting an 11% rise in revenues in the 13 weeks to 29 March. "We have seen excellent growth across our business in the first quarter, enabling us to remain confident in our expectations for the full year," chief executive Ralph Topping said. Rival
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction
21st Apr 2011 12:03
Shares have paused for breath following sharp jump yesterday. William Hill raced ahead after the bookmaker reported good growth in its retail and online operations in the 13 weeks to 29 March. Total revenues were up by 11% from the same period a year ago, with retail seeing an 8% rise and online r
Read moreLondon open: Rally continues after Wall Street surge
21st Apr 2011 08:37
Another stonking performance by US stocks overnight has sent shares higher still, with this morning's company updates also sparking buying interest. William Hill raced ahead after the bookmaker reported good growth in its retail and online operations in the 13 weeks to 29 March. Total revenues were
Read moreAsia-Pacific disasters to cost Beazley $154m
21st Apr 2011 08:33
Specialist insurer and reinsurer Beazley is crossing its fingers that there will be no more catastrophes this year after a series of disasters in the first quarter struck the Asia-Pacific region. "The first quarter of 2011 has seen catastrophe losses in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. As a resul
Read moreLondon close: Japanese concerns knock Footsie
14th Mar 2011 16:47
London closed near to its low for the day as a decline on Wall Street dragged the market lower later in the day and there were concerns about the possible effects of the Japanese earthquake on financial markets and global economies. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick o
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stuck lower as Japan casts shadow
14th Mar 2011 14:57
London's blue chips have turned lower again following falls on Wall Street as traders continue to mull the possible effects of the Japanese earthquake. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick of the mining sector. Also going well is temporary power solutions provider Aggrek
Read moreLondon midday: Blue chips turn lower on volatile day
14th Mar 2011 12:21
London's blue chips have turned lower again as investors await the US markets' reaction to Japan's devastating earthquake. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick of the mining sector. Also going well is temporary power solutions provider Aggreko, which may find its service
Read moreLondon open: Aggreko in demand in wake of earthquake
14th Mar 2011 08:47
Mining stocks are shoring up the Footsie but the blue-chip index is still in the red, despite the price of oil ebbing. Miners Rio Tinto, Xstrata, African Barrick and ENRC are the pick of the mining sector. Also going well is temporary power solutions provider Aggreko, which may find its services c
Read moreFidessa chairman reinvests past sale proceeds
10th Mar 2011 17:04
Fidessa chairman John Hamer has invested £327,000 in the financial software provider having sold shares last June for more than £3 a share less than his latest buying price. Hamer bought 20,000 shares at £16.35 each. This takes his stake to 35,594 shares. He has bought these shares early enough to
Read moreLondon close: Late gains for FTSE 100
8th Feb 2011 16:59
The top share index closed with good gains after a late spurt. It was a see-saw day for miners after China raised its key interest rates for the third time since October, with the benchmark one year lending rate hiked by a quarter of a point to 3%. Mining giant Xstrata started the say well after r
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