Sector movers: Shire and AZN lead pharma stocks lower on M&A risk
6th Aug 2014 14:13
The pharmaceutical sector dropped on Wednesday on the back of fears about risks to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, with Shire sinking sharply. Concerns that stricter rules on so-called 'tax inversion' in the US could scupper Abbvie's £32bn takeover of London-listed Shire dented the latter'
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
1st Aug 2014 10:33
AstraZeneca: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 3950p to 4000p staying with its hold recommendation. Avacta: Numis places both its target price and its buy recommendation under review. Barclays: Berenberg upgrades from sell to hold with a target price of 220p. Bodycote: UBS shifts target price f
Read moreHikma to purchase Ben Venue manufacturing site
24th Jul 2014 11:30
Hikma Pharmaceuticals confirmed its acquisition of the generic injectables manufacturing site owned by US group Ben Venue Laboratories. The deal, which follows an exclusivity arrangement inked in May, will form part of the previously announcement agreement to acquire Ben Venue Laboratories for $22
Read moreSector movers: Weak results, outlook from Glaxo sink pharma stocks
23rd Jul 2014 14:17
A slump in the share price of GlaxoSmithKline dragged the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector into the red on Wednesday as the drugmaker disappointed with a drop in quarterly sales and its full-year outlook. The company announced at midday that it has slashed its 2014 outlook as it reported a
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
18th Jul 2014 07:55
Barclays: Credit Suisse cuts target price from 275p to 235p retaining a neutral rating. Barratt Developments: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 468p to 387p and downgrades to hold. Bellway: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1900p to 1764p, while leaving its buy recommendation uncha
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
17th Jul 2014 11:07
Antofagasta: Canaccord Genuity cuts target price from 870p to 835p and maintains a hold recommendation. African Minerals: Canaccord Genuity reduces target price from 230p to 170p and keeps a buy recommendation. Ashmore Group: Goldman Sachs downgrades to neutral with a target price of 430p. Barcla
Read moreSector movers: Shire soars as M&A fever boosts pharma, health stocks
20th Jun 2014 13:56
News that Shire has rejected a £27bn approach by AbbVie sent shares in the pharmaceutical and healthcare equipment sectors higher on Friday as yet more M&A continued to give sentiment a boost. "A bit of M&A excitement has been just the ticket to enliven trading on what may otherwise have been somet
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: De La Rue climbs on profit, broker comment
28th May 2014 14:00
Banknote printer De La Rue rose after it posted a 43% jump in full-year underlying operating profit and said it has entered the new financial year with a good order book. Helping it higher was Investec, which upped its target price from 890p to 915p and left its 'buy' recommendation unaltered. Al
Read moreHikma Pharmaceuticals to expand injectables business with acquisition
28th May 2014 12:20
Hikma Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire certain key assets of the Bedford Laboratories generic injectables business from US-based Ben Venue Laboratories for up to 300m dollars. The purchase will be made for an initial $225m upfront cash payment as well as up to a further $75m in contingent cash
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
16th May 2014 08:23
Ashcourt Rowan: N+1 Singer initiates with a target price of 231p and a buy recommendation. Bioquell: N+1 Singer cuts target price from 157p to 112p and downgrades to hold. Boohoo.com: Jefferies initiates with a target price of 68p and a buy recommendation. Capital & Regional: Numis upgrades from
Read moreHikma upgrades guidance after injectables and generics impress
15th May 2014 10:16
Hikma Pharmaceuticals, the Jordanian drugs group, has made a good start to its new financial year, bettering tough comparatives from the year before thanks to strength in injectables and generics. The FTSE 250 company, which is thought to be a takeover target for Sweden's Meda Pharmaceuticals, reit
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks inch lower on mixed data and earnings
23rd Apr 2014 11:37
- AB Foods jumps, ARM and Sports Direct fall - UK borrowing falls more than expected - Chinese manufacturing still in contraction - Eurozone business activity improves techMARK 2,740.84 +0.09% FTSE 100 6,670.05 -0.18% FTSE 250 15,991.94 -0.56% UK stocks pulled back from a three-week high on Wednes
Read moreLondon open: Stocks edge higher, AB Foods jumps on Primark expansion
23rd Apr 2014 08:40
- AB Foods jumps on Primark expansion plans - Stocks rise, but upside limited - BoE minutes, economic data ahead - Chinese manufacturing PMI contracts again techMARK 2,749.64 +0.41% FTSE 100 6,688.65 +0.10% FTSE 250 16,067.20 -0.09% UK stocks edged higher on Wednesday morning with Primark owner As
Read moreSector movers: M&A gives pharma stocks a big boost
22nd Apr 2014 15:28
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology stocks were rising by an average of six per cent in London on Tuesday, helped by a wave of high-profile M&A deals across the global healthcare sector. Leading the charge in the UK was AstraZeneca on reports that it could be at the centre of the largest deal in phar
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Pharmaceutical stocks surge
22nd Apr 2014 15:10
Worldwide Healthcare Trust and Hikma Pharmaceuticals tracked their FTSE 100 peers higher after AstraZeneca gained strongly on the back of takeover speculation, Shire rose following broker comment, and GSK also jumped after announcing a massive three-part deal with Swiss pharmaceuticals peer Novartis
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