Best of the brokers January 23, 2013 BARCLAYS Investec upgraded the bank yesterday on the back of new investment bank job cuts. Although the market knew some staff were being trimmed, the scale took the analysts by surprise. “Consensus still appears to underestimate the material benefit that will flow through the Barcap cost line as headcount and pay are rebased to the [...]
Unilever boosts FTSE 100 as it edges towards 6,200 January 23, 2013 The leading share index edged up towards the 6,200 level this morning, led by consumer goods group Unilever. The stock was the strongest riser on the FTSE 100 this morning, on the back of a buoyant trading statement. Turnover jumped 10.5 per cent in 2012, boosted by growth in emerging markets. Martin Deboo at Investec [...]
Barclays to cut hundreds of London bankers January 22, 2013 BARCLAYS is to cut hundreds of investment banking jobs in London next month, yesterday launching a consultation on the job losses. The bank is expected to shut controversial businesses including its tax planning arm and agricultural commodities trading units next month under a major review by new chief executive Antony Jenkins, aimed at improving the [...]
Best of the brokers January 22, 2013 BARCLAYS Morgan Stanley has an “overweight” rating on the bank and has raised its target from 295p to 386p. It thinks Barclays could soon trade above its book value as focus turns to the prospect of the bank beating its cost of capital. Morgan Stanley expects a return on tangible equity of 13 per cent [...]
FTSE 100 dragged down by Pearson and Fresnillo January 22, 2013 The FTSE 100 was trading modestly down this morning, although it was still near its highest level in four and a half years. On the blue chip index, education giant Pearson continued its losses from yesterday and shed 2.33 per cent this morning. Yesterday it warned that annual profits would be lower than expected amid [...]
Bankers leave glamorous jobs for compliance roles January 21, 2013 BANKERS are retraining in compliance in unprecedented numbers either to change career as their traditional jobs are cut, or to make sure they are well prepared to cope with tough new regulations, according to figures seen by City A.M. The City has lost over 100,000 jobs since the start of the financial crisis as banks [...]
Ex-Barclays staff lose right to anonymity in Libor court case January 21, 2013 UP TO 106 current and former Barclays staff named in emails relating to Libor fiddling lost their right to anonymity in a legal case yesterday, as a judge ruled in favour of a group of media organisations who wanted them unmasked. The staff, a minority of whom are thought to have been found to have [...]
Crest Nicholson plots return to London market January 21, 2013 UK HOUSEBUILDER Crest Nicholson is to return to the stock market nearly six years after it was taken private at the height of the housing market crash. The 50 year-old company, which builds homes mainly in the south of England, said it plans to raise £50m from the listing of new shares to pay down [...]
Resolution taps ex-Stan Chart boss to be chair January 21, 2013 FORMER Standard Chartered chief executive Sir Malcolm Williamson is set to become chairman of insurance buy-out vehicle Resolution, it was announced yesterday. Williamson, 73, will succeed Mike Biggs, who is stepping down as part of a plan to streamline the complicated executive structure at the FTSE 100 group, which was founded by industry pioneer Clive Cowdery in [...]
Dell appoints Evercore Partners to find alternative buyout offers January 21, 2013 DELL, the US personal computer manufacturer which is currently negotiating a private buyout deal, has appointed advisory firm Evercore Partners to find out if a better offer can be found, according to reports. Dell is believed to be close to a deal led by buyout firm Silverlake Partners, which is being supported by founder and [...]