Investors flock to defensive stocks as FTSE inches higher August 12, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index ended higher yesterday after defensives gained, led by pharma firm GlaxoSmithKline after US authorities recommended approval of its Potiga epilepsy drug. The FTSE 100 ended up 20.85 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 5,266.06, having hit its lowest close in three weeks on Wednesday when it fell 2.4 per cent to [...]
Investors flock to defensive stocks as FTSE inches higher August 12, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index ended higher yesterday after defensives gained, led by pharma firm GlaxoSmithKline after US authorities recommended approval of its Potiga epilepsy drug. The FTSE 100 ended up 20.85 points, or 0.4 per cent, at 5,266.06, having hit its lowest close in three weeks on Wednesday when it fell 2.4 per cent to [...]
AstraZeneca profits rise July 29, 2010 ASTRAZENECA, the UK’s second-largest drugs company, doubled its 2010 share buyback plan to $2bn (£1.3bn) yesterday after posting strong results and clearing several regulatory hurdles in the US. Pre-tax profit in the second quarter rose to $6.4bn (£4.1bn) from $5.6bn in the same period a year ago, on sales up three per cent at $8.18bn, [...]
A good quality MBA should be all about broadening horizons October 13, 2010 TRADITIONALLY, an MBA has been a generalist qualification which teaches fresh skills and opens up avenues. But a new breed of focused MBAs has emerged in recent years. These concentrate on a specific area such as the energy industry, defence, financial services, the BRIC countries or even corporate and social responsibility (see box). They are [...]
Boots tops reputation poll as banks languish April 28, 2010 Alliance Boots knocked Marks & Spencer off the top spot, in a survey of company reputation. The Reputation Institute’s UK Pulse Report 2010 ranked retail brands highly but the list of 140 firms made torrid reading for the finance industry. Royal Bank of Scotland languished at 138, with Lloyds at 136 and Barclays at 129. [...]
BAT struggles as cigarette demand falls April 28, 2010 BRITISH American Tobacco reported a four per cent fall in underlying first quarter volumes yesterday as fewer customers bought cigarettes. The London-based group, which makes Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall cigarettes, said its consumers were finding economic conditions difficult and volumes suffered as a result of the decline in some markets. Overall volumes [...]
BAT sees volumes fall but sales hold up April 28, 2010 BRITISH American Tobacco, the world’s No 2 cigarette maker, reported a four per cent fall in underlying first-quarter volumes but said price rises led to good sales growth and it remains on track for 2010. The London-based group, which makes Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall cigarettes, said that its consumers were finding economic [...]
SABMiller is a FTSE beater April 11, 2010 LONDON listed SABMiller will aim to outperform the FTSE 100 index for the tenth straight year in 2010 and confirm its status as one of the best market-beating stocks around, according to financial website The Motley Fool. The South African brewer is expected to receive a boost from the football World Cup this summer and [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS February 23, 2010 BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO Morgan Stanley advises investors to “overweight” British American Tobacco shares ahead of tomorrow’s full year results. Says pricing strength, cost savings, improved economic conditions and a reduced hit from currency transactions will mean “solid” earnings per share growth. Raises target price to 2,350p, and highlights favourable industry operating conditions. N BROWN UBS [...]
The Tipster March 22, 2010 WHEN chancellor Alistair Darling delivers his budget tomorrow afternoon, he is expected to confirm the government’s support for an international levy on banks. And as if the outlook couldn’t look more overcast for banks, Virgin has funding in place to buy a swathe of high street branches from RBS, which should increase the competition in [...]