ECONOMISTS’ VIEWS: WILL THE BANK RAISE INTEREST RATES THIS WEEK? February 6, 2011 PHILIP SHAW | INVESTEC “A rate rise is possible, but unlikely. For rates to rise, the two existing ‘hawks’ would need to be joined by Tucker, Dale and Miles. This is possible, but it seems more likely that the Bank rate will remain at 0.5 per cent this time.” GEOFFREY WOOD | CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL [...]
ECONOMISTS’ VIEWS: WILL THE BANK RAISE INTEREST RATES THIS WEEK? February 6, 2011 PHILIP SHAW | INVESTEC “A rate rise is possible, but unlikely. For rates to rise, the two existing ‘hawks’ would need to be joined by Tucker, Dale and Miles. This is possible, but it seems more likely that the Bank rate will remain at 0.5 per cent this time.” GEOFFREY WOOD | CASS BUSINESS SCHOOL [...]
Caution ahead of US results pulls FTSE 100 to a flat close April 11, 2011 BRITAIN’S top share index closed flat yesterday, with caution from traders wary of turbulence during the US earnings season offset by strength in the banking sector following the ICB report on the future shape of UK banking. The FTSE 100 closed down 2.31 points, or 0.04 per cent, at 6,053.44 after trading in positive territory [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS February 13, 2011 HOMESERVE Numis Securities has raised its recommendation on the household services firm from “hold” to “buy” with a target price of 545p. The broker predicts strong international growth alongside modest gains in the UK to contribute to profits doubling over five years. Numis believes that the firm requires very little capital to grow the business. [...]
Serco insists it will grow despite cuts March 2, 2011 OUTSOURCING group Serco posted a 21 per cent rise in full-year profit yesterday, helped by strong revenue growth in the Americas, as the firm insisted that UK government spending cuts will not damage the firm. Chief executive Chris Hyman told analysts yesterday that “if we’ve got the skills and capabilities, we will see the growth” [...]
International Power profits rise March 2, 2011 INTERNATIONAL Power (IP), the producer majority owned by French utility GDF Suez, yesterday posted yearly profit slightly above market expectations, with growth in the Middle East offsetting slowing sales in the UK and US. The firm, which was formally taken over by GDF last month, said yesterday underlying profit from operations was down about three [...]
London flat as weak miners are offset by strong financials February 17, 2011 BRITAIN’S FTSE 100 share index closed slightly higher yesterday, as strong gains from banks offset weaker miners and optimism on corporate earnings outweighed Middle East political concerns. Banks advanced by upbeat broker comment and hopes for further good earnings reports from the sector, and overall sentiment on equities remained fairly positive. The FTSE 100 closed [...]
Mouchel pans Costain’s new takeover bid January 6, 2011 CONSTRUCTION firm Costain made an increased all-share offer for struggling business services group Mouchel yesterday, which valued the firm at around £150m, excluding its near-£100m debts. Mouchel, which acts as a consultant on infrastructure projects, rejected the offer yesterday afternoon, claiming that the bid significantly undervalued the business. Costain said it would offer 0.5947 new [...]
Getting a rise out of the Bank of England February 8, 2011 STERLING bulls are probably the only group of people who love inflation right now. Traders have been flocking into the pound in anticipation of a rate rise since May. Those eager rate-risers now pin their hopes on the two votes for a rise on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC): Andrew Sentance and Martin Weale. Since [...]
Getting a rise out of the Bank of England February 8, 2011 STERLING bulls are probably the only group of people who love inflation right now. Traders have been flocking into the pound in anticipation of a rate rise since May. Those eager rate-risers now pin their hopes on the two votes for a rise on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC): Andrew Sentance and Martin Weale. Since [...]