Babcock sees strong trading February 2, 2010 ENGINEER Babcock International said yesterday third-quarter trade had been strong, driven by robust performances at its marine and defence units, and that it was confident on its full-year prospects. Babcock, which operates ship-building and nuclear power programmes, said it expected to take advantage of further outsourcing opportunities in 2010 as pressure on public spending continues [...]
Dairy Crest creams profit after a promotions spree February 2, 2010 DAIRY CREST has announced strong trading for the nine months to the end of December, buoyed by its performance in the run-up to Christmas. Pre-tax profit was slightly ahead of analysts’ expectations, but the maker of Cathedral City cheese and Clover spreads remains cautious about the year ahead. “The trading environment for 2010 is tough for [...]
Killik & Co February 2, 2010 We believe the stock is attractively valued in absolute terms, relative to the market and relative to other defensive companies. The shares offer a prospective yield of 4.5 per cent, which is expected to grow in excess of 10 per cent a year over the next two years. We would continue to buy the shares.
Evolution Securities February 2, 2010 Trading is in line with estimates. UK and French market volumes are both up with Imperial Tobacco holding or increasing share. It is also increasing in almost all territories except for Germany and Spain. It offers great value. We have a ‘buy’ recommendation.
Seven Investment Management February 2, 2010 Imperial Tobacco is a fantastic cash cow with great branding. It is in a good position for investment. Its stock is undervalued so we have a ‘buy’ recommendation. When people want the certainty of a known and distinct brand, Imperial Tobacco won’t lose its shine.
Analyst Views: What did you make of imperial tobacco’s positive trading results? February 2, 2010 Imperial Tobacco chief executive Gareth Davis has reasons to be cheerful as his firm began the financial year with positive trading results, in line with expectations. Davis will retire as group chief in May to be replaced by his number two Alice Cooper. Imperial is the number two cigarette maker in Europe after Philip Morris [...]
Easyjet adds 70 new European routes in a bid for 10 per cent growth in 2010 February 2, 2010 EASYJET yesterday announced it will launch over 70 new European services in the next six months, starting with the introduction yesterday of flights from Gatwick to Hamburg and Dusseldorf. The budget said new flights will include routes from London Stansted to Cagliari and Manchester to Helsinki. It will also significantly increase its presence at Doncaster [...]
Serious Fraud Office not chasing UK Madoff office February 2, 2010 THE Serious Fraud Office (SFO) yesterday confirmed it will not pursue charges against the UK arm of Bernard Madoff’s investment firm as it seeks to broaden its investigation. “Following a thorough review of all the available evidence (the SFO) has decided to take no action against either the company or its directors, there being insufficient [...]
Arm Holdings boosted by chip demand February 2, 2010 A surge in demand for smartphones helped chip designer ARM Holdings win market share and beat analysts’ expectations in the fourth quarter, but the economic downturn still trimmed pre-tax profit by four per cent. “(Chipmakers) are designing more ARM technology into an increasingly broad range of end-markets applications, with mobile computing, smartphones and microcontrollers being [...]
Hype of Apple’s iPad is better than the reality February 2, 2010 The launch of the Apple iPad at the end of last week led to a strong increase in the buzz score for the general Apple brand as measured by BrandIndex. That might have been expected, but graph one shows a more mixed story: at the start of 2010, with excited consumer chatter about the imminent [...]