FTSE 100 down as BAE and EADS in the spotlight September 13, 2012 The blue chip index was trading slightly down this morning, as the mega-merger between BAE Systems and EADS grabbed the headlines. Investors were also cautious ahead of a key policy decision from the US Federal Reserve, which is expected later. Publisher Centaur was a big riser in early deals, up 11.56 per cent, on news [...]
BEST of the BROKERS July 23, 2012 HOME RETAIL Numis has moved the owner of Argos and Homebase from “sell” to “add” citing an improvement in the electricals market following the digital switchover and latest iPad launch. STAGECOACH Jefferies has upgraded the transport firm from “hold” to “buy” and upped its price target to 335p, calling the stock “the default choice in [...]
Home Retail says sales fall slows at Argos June 19, 2012 Home Retail, Britain’s biggest household goods retailer, said sales at its main Argos business fell at a slower rate in its first quarter, while sales at its Homebase home improvement business were severely dented by wet weather. Sales at Argos stores that have been open for over a year fell 0.2 per cent in the [...]
LONDON THE WEEK AHEAD June 17, 2012 THE world’s leaders will be watching the fallout from the Greek election today from Mexico, at the two-day G20 summit. But despite the focus on the election results this week – plus Spain’s report today on whether €100bn is enough to solve its financial woes – there is also a busy calendar for UK business [...]
BEST of the BROKERS May 30, 2012 HOME RETAIL GROUP JP Morgan believes shares in the owner of Argos, Homebase and Habitat are “overweight” and has a target price of 133p. Although the first quarter has been difficult for the retailers, the upcoming bank holidays along with an accelerated store closure programme should provide some comfort to the markets. WOLSELEY UBS rates [...]
Home Retail to scrap payout as profit falls 61pc May 2, 2012 HOME RETAIL GROUP, the owner of Argos and Homebase, has scrapped its final dividend for the first time in six years after reporting a 61 per cent slump in full-year profit. Chief executive Terry Duddy continued to defend his strategy for the group, saying there would not be “an en masse store closure programme” of [...]
Well-timed campaigns drive buzz for home improvement stores April 10, 2012 BANK holidays often see Britons take to our backyards, kitchens and bathrooms in an attempt at a bit of DIY. So it is no surprise that two of the biggest players in that market, B&Q and Wickes, looked to capitalise on this time of year with their pre-Easter advertising campaigns. B&Q’s “I did that” campaign, [...]
Well-timed campaigns drive buzz for home improvement stores April 10, 2012 BANK holidays often see Britons take to our backyards, kitchens and bathrooms in an attempt at a bit of DIY. So it is no surprise that two of the biggest players in that market, B&Q and Wickes, looked to capitalise on this time of year with their pre-Easter advertising campaigns. B&Q’s “I did that” campaign, [...]
Home Retail profit slumps by 60pc May 2, 2012 Home Retail, the country’s biggest household goods retailer, posted a 60 per cent slump in year profit and axed its final dividend as its cash-strapped consumers bore the brunt of the economic downturn. The owner of catalogue-based Argos stores and the Homebase do-it-yourself chain said on Wednesday it remained cautious about the consumer outlook and [...]
Home Retail profit slumps by 60pc May 2, 2012 Home Retail, the country’s biggest household goods retailer, posted a 60 per cent slump in year profit and axed its final dividend as its cash-strapped consumers bore the brunt of the economic downturn. The owner of catalogue-based Argos stores and the Homebase do-it-yourself chain said on Wednesday it remained cautious about the consumer outlook and [...]