1 September 2016
Hays, Alumasc and 600 Group“Equities confounded forecasts and opened on the front foot despite overnight falls on Wall Street and ahead of a raft of UK, EU and US manufacturing data due throughout the course of the day,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Recruitment group Hays had an excellent year with earnings and cash ahead of market expectations. But the run...
1 September 2016
UK shrugs off Brexit blues while Europe continues to fretToday’s industrial sentiment survey for August will help to ease concerns that the UK may be sliding toward a fresh, post-Brexit economic downturn, as the official reading of 53.3 is the highest since October 2015. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for manufacturing has rebounded from the July reading of 48.3, which had represented its lowest...
31 August 2016
888, Punch Taverns and The Gym Group“Equities were virtually flat in early trading following the softer sentiment on Wall Street and with traders awaiting a raft of Eurozone consumer price inflation data and unemployment figures for the economic bloc,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Online gambling group 888 drew a veil over its aborted attempt to buy bookmaker William...
30 August 2016
Bunzl, Dewhurst and Braemar Shipping Services“Blue-chips were virtually flat in early trading following the bank holiday break,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Distribution giant Bunzl had a strong first half and continues to expand with acquisitions in Canada and Hungary. Bunzl has seen little impact from the Brexit vote apart from the weakening of sterling which will have a...
26 August 2016
The Restaurant Group, Lavendon and Computacenter“The FTSE100 opened in negative territory continuing yesterday's theme with investors looking warily to US Federal Reserve chairman Janet Yellen's Jackson Hole speech today,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Frankie & Benny's beleaguered owner The Restaurant Group is taking a knife to its 500-plus outlets with 33 underperforming sites...
25 August 2016
STV, Camellia and Allied Minds“The FTSE100 recovered from a shaky start to go back over the 6800 mark in lunchtime trading although it was still down on the day as several blue chips went ex-dividend,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Glasgow-based broadcaster STV’s first half profits rose by nearly 50% following major contributions from digital earnings and...
24 August 2016
WPP, Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Costain“The FTSE100 was in negative territory in early trading following gains on Wall Street overnight but a mixed performance in Asia,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Advertising giant WPP led the blue-chip board despite a 40.1% drop in pre-tax profits. The fall reflected net exceptional write-downs of £122m and investors focused instead...
23 August 2016
Persimmon, Rank and JRP Group“Equities made a positive start as investors look ahead to UK manufacturing data and a raft of eurozone purchasing managers' indices,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“House-builder Persimmon has shrugged off concerns over a Brexit slowdown with its reservation rates rising since the start of July. Customer interest since the...
22 August 2016
Image Scan, Kingspan and Alecto Minerals“Equities confounded forecasts and moved into positive territory in early trading despite some hawkish views from US Federal Reserve vice-chairman Stanley Fischer at the weekend,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“X-ray screening supplier Image Scan is set to breakeven in the current financial year, a significant improvement on current...
19 August 2016
Immedia, Fox Marble and IOG“The FTSE 100 was marginally down on a quiet day for corporate news with weakness among insurers and asset managers acting as a drag on the index,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Former Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes’s Immedia Group proved a hit with investors following a significantly higher-than-expected take-up of the Subway Radio...
19 August 2016
William Hill, 21st Century and Kellan“Blue-chips were down in early trading with financial stocks among the biggest fallers,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Bookmaker William Hill’s shares jumped after 888 and Rank decided not to make an offer. William Hill, which has consistently spurned its would-be suitors, is now clear to focus on its plans to grow by diversifying...
18 August 2016
Kingfisher, Capital & Regional and Thomas Cook“Equities opened higher despite a lengthy list of ex-dividend factors with investors welcoming the latest minutes from the US Federal Reserve which showed policymakers were split over the pace of interest rate rises meaning a September move is unlikely,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Screwfix continues to be the jewel in DIY group...
17 August 2016
Admiral, Balfour Beatty and Lookers“Equities edged higher in early trading following falls on Wall Street overnight and gains in Asia with traders looking to UK employment-related data out mid-morning,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Insurance group Admiral has hoisted its interim dividend by 23% after a record first half. New chief executive David Stevens, who took...
16 August 2016
Balfour Beatty, AstraZeneca and easyHotel“Blue-chips were down in lunchtime trading as rising fuel prices pushed the UK’s inflation rate up to 0.6% and separate figures showed the fall in sterling since the EU referendum had increased the cost of imports for manufacturers,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty’s shares were up in lunchtime...
16 August 2016
BHP Billiton, Antofagasta and H&T Group“Equities opened lower ahead of UK inflation data and European economic sentiment and trade balance figures,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Mining giant BHP Billiton’s results underline the woes in the commodities sector in addition to the costs of the Samarco dam disaster at its joint venture in Brazil. The $6.2bn loss from...
15 August 2016
One chart that shows how economic fate has conspired to hammer pensionsThe Bank of England last week moved to revive the UK economy through a cut in interest rates and a fresh bout of quantitative easing. The decision may or may not stave off a post-Brexit vote recession, but it will almost certainly inflict further damage on both defined benefit schemes and savers looking to buy an annuity.
AJ Bell senior analyst Tom...
15 August 2016
Bovis Homes, William Hill and Clarksons“Equities were broadly flat in early trading following mixed turns on Wall Street on Friday and Asia this morning with traders reflecting on reports that the UK's departure from the EU could be delayed until late 2019,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould. “ Bovis Homes is bullish about its full year performance after a strong first half...
12 August 2016
FBD Holdings, Genus and Volution Group“The FTSE 100 was virtually flat in early trading after firmer sessions on Wall Street and Asia with traders keeping their powder dry ahead of a raft of UK, European and US economic data,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Insurance group FBD Holdings has slashed its pre-tax losses but policyholders will continue to face increased...
11 August 2016
TUI Travel, Card Factory and Hastings“The FTSE100 opened lower, weighed down by a string of ex-dividend issues, and following falls on Wall Street overnight,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Travel giant TUI’s fleet-footed response to terror concerns has found favour with investors propelling the group to the top of the blue-chip board in early trading. TUI has shifted...
10 August 2016
G4S, Trafalgar New Homes and Interserve“Blue-chips were marginally lower despite positive turns on Wall Street and in Asia overnight, as crude oil prices fell,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Security group G4S has seen further progress in its efforts to rebuild the business with first half revenues up 3.2% and earnings rising by 44%. The group won new contracts worth £1...
9 August 2016
Morrisons, AstraZeneca and Standard Life“Blue-chips opened cautiously higher despite Wall Street’s overnight fall and mixed turns on Asian indices with traders looking ahead to a raft of UK, European and US macro data,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Supermarket giant Morrisons will be able to compete more aggressively in the burgeoning home delivery sector following a new...
8 August 2016
Lok'nStore, Aureus Mining and Telit Communications“Equities opened the week in positive territory, continuing the theme seen in Asia and on Wall Street with little in the way of corporate news to excite traders,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Fast-growing self-storage group Lok'nStore continues to see positive momentum with like-for-like revenues from its core business up 5.2% in...
5 August 2016
US jobs figures please but they are still unlikely to sway the Fed“America added 255,000 non-farm jobs in July and although this handsomely beat the consensus expectation of 180,000 the US Federal Reserve still has a dilemma on its hands when it meets to discuss interest rates on 20-21 September,” says Russ Mould, AJ Bell Investment Director.
“It has now had two positive jobs numbers in a row, although the May...
5 August 2016
Royal Bank of Scotland, Bellway and esure“Blue-chips confounded forecasts and opened strongly following calm turns on Wall Street and in Asia overnight as investors responded to the Bank of England’s interest rate cut and other stimulus measures.,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“The pain continues for taxpayer controlled Royal Bank of Scotland with first half losses rising...
4 August 2016
Ladbrokes, Aviva and AA“Equities were muted in early trading after positive sessions on Wall Street and in Asia, with the market looking to the Bank of England's midday interest rate call when a cut is widely expected,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Investors were keen to take a punt on bookmaker Ladbrokes in early trading following better-than-expected...