Why investors should take a stake in high-growth UK tech companies October 22, 2012 THE campaign to reawaken the London tech initial public offering (IPO) market has kicked off. Recent announcements from Downing Street and the London Stock Exchange should result in some small but important regulatory changes. They are important steps towards making London a major hub for tech IPOs. But regulation is not the only barrier to [...]
UK set to celebrate the official end of the recession after Games boost October 21, 2012 THE UK is this week expected to officially exit recession, with news from the Office of National Statistics set to confirm the double dip is over. The ONS will publish its first estimate of third quarter GDP, with analysts predicting impressive growth, due in part to the Olympics. Howard Archer, of IHS Global Insight, said: [...]
Best of the Brokers October 16, 2012 ASOS Morgan Stanley has started covering the online retailer with an “overweight” rating and a target price of 3,000p, cheering the firm’s superior sales offering and entrepreneurial management team. BT The telecoms group is Nomura’s top pick in the sector, with a “buy” rating and a price target of 260p. BT is set to benefit [...]
Analysts give mixed welcome as Bostock joins Asos board October 10, 2012 ANALYSTS yesterday welcomed the long-anticipated announcement that Asos has hired Kate Bostock to join its ranks but questioned whether the former Marks & Spencer executive would fit into the online retailer’s culture. Asos confirmed that Bostock, would join its board in January as executive director, product and trading. Bostock stepped down from her role as [...]
M&S clothing head joins Asos October 10, 2012 AIM-listed fashion retailer Asos this morning confirmed the appointment of ex-Marks & Spencer executive Kate Bostock. Bostock, former head of general merchandise at M&S, will join Asos in January as executive director for product and trading. Bostock announced her departure from M&S in July after a period of poor trading, although she did not officially [...]
What the other papers say this Morning October 9, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Channel Islands unite over deficits Guernsey and Jersey are setting aside centuries of rivalry to defeat a common foe: the budget deficit. Senior politicians on the two islands, which have struggled to balance their books since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008, are considering radical moves to combine public services, including [...]
Best of the Brokers October 9, 2012 CAPITA Seymour Pierce has downgraded the FTSE 100 professional services company from “buy” to “hold” saying “there was not enough new information at the investor day presentation to warrant an increase in our target price”. The broker added that it was “ disappointed to hear international expansion does not feature greatly in the company’s plan”. [...]
Former Amazon UK head set to take Asos chair October 1, 2012 ONLINE fashion retailer Asos revealed yesterday it has hired the former managing director of Amazon UK to be its new chairman, replacing Waheed Alli, who will step down after 12 years with the firm. Brian McBride, who spent six years at the helm of Amazon’s UK business, will succeed Lord Alli at the beginning of [...]
Asos defies downturn to make sales gains in UK and overseas September 19, 2012 ASOS cheered investors with accelerating sales growth in the UK over the summer, helping boost its shares 1.8 per cent yesterday. The online fashion retailer brushed off the malaise seen on the British high street to report 15 per cent growth in UK takings to £49.9m for the three months to 31 August. This takes [...]
The Tipster | Imperially smoked September 17, 2012 AFTER a difficult period in early September, investors in Imperial Tobacco will be hoping that Thursday’s update will give the company momentum. Share prices sit in the middle of its 52-week range, after being hit by Russia’s ban on smoking in public. But continued growth in emerging markets should give investors something to cheer about. [...]