BEST OF THE BROKERS October 20, 2011 ASOS Goldman Sachs rates the online retailer as a “buy” with a target price of 3,350p, and lowers its estimates following the company’s first half trading update. The broker now sees retail sales growth of 55 per cent for fiscal year 2012 and 47 per cent for 2013, revised down from 63 per cent and [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS October 17, 2011 SYNGENTA Nomura rates the agricultural chemical maker as a “buy” and increases its target price from SwFr380 to SwFr385 after a better than expected set of third-quarter sales. The broker sees solid growth for 2012, plus a pricing improvement and productivity gains, which should more than offset adverse currency and raw material effects. Nomura increases [...]
ASOS sees UK sales slowing October 14, 2011 Online fashion and beauty retailer ASOS announced strong growth in the first two quarters of the year, but UK sales are slowing. Year on year sales for the second quarter are up by 53 per cent, and for the first half by 60 per cent. However UK sales rose by only one per cent in [...]
A week full of stock results: what to watch October 10, 2011 TO say we live in interesting economic times would be an understatement. Confidence is low and money is tight. And retail stocks often show investor nerves more prominently than other markets. But it isn’t all bad news: volatility in the market can serve to make the life of the spread better more exciting. So with [...]
THE WEEK AHEAD October 9, 2011 COMPANY NEWS ● Burberry will make its second quarter trading statement on Wednesday. China has been driving demand for luxury European goods, but there have been signs that this demand is beginning to abate, which will not bode well for the UK brand. ● Hargreaves Lansdown will release an interim management statement on Thursday. Many [...]
ENTREPRENEUR | OF THE YEAR September 21, 2011 DANIEL EK SPOTIFY The stand-out in an impressive field was Daniel Ek, the co-founder of online music business Spotify, which is redefining a business model. The company has been valued at $1bn and launched in the US in July. SHORTLIST Simon Calver, LoveFilm Nick Robertson, Asos Iain Dodsworth, Tweetdeck Michael Acton Smith, Mind Candy
THE TIPSTER September 4, 2011 TRADERS in oil explorer Rockhopper probably don’t know whether they’re coming or going. The share price of the AIM listed oil and gas exploration company, based in the United Kingdom with licences to explore for oil and gas in the North Falkland Basin, have rocketed from 35p all the way up to 550p and back [...]
Anchors away: get in the nautical mood for Cowes July 28, 2011 1. Ralph Lauren Laurel blazer, £125.50, johnlewis.com 2. Top Shop red button shorts, £35 3. Watercolour chain scarf in cream, John Lewis, £50, johnlewis.com 4. Aspinal nautical charm, £19, aspinaloflondon.com 5. Alexander McQueen double skull ring, £150, Matches, matchesfashion.com 6. BC Milkshake wedge deck shoes, £65, asos.com 7. Timney rope handle stripe tote bag, £65, houseoffraser.co.uk [...]
More shop chains winding up July 24, 2011 THE number of retail companies which plunged into administration in the second quarter of this year increased by eight per cent compared with same period last year, according to figures from Deloitte. A total of 43 were affected, with household names like Oddbins and Focus being hit by the downturn in consumer spending. Moben, Habitat [...]
Asos gets boost from overseas sales July 14, 2011 ONLINE fashion retailer Asos saw sales soar in the first quarter, but boss Nick Robertson dismissed speculation that the company was being seriously eyed as a takeover target. Asos, which targets young trendy customers, said its retail sales increased 69 per cent to £104.2m in the three months to 30 June. International sales soared 160 [...]