Babcock Share News (BAB)

IN BRIEF: Babcock notes encouraging trading since financial year start

Babcock International Group PLC - London-based aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering services firm - Ahead of annual general meeting at 1030 BST, says trading has been encouraging since the start of its financial year that will end on March 31, noting good organic revenue growth, improved operational performance and higher cash flow compared to a year earlier. Says organic revenue growth is offsetting the effects of disposals in the prior year, including contract phasing in Marine and further growth in Nuclear infrastructure programmes. Says underlying operating profit increased, driven by revenue growth and continued operational improvement driving underlying operating margin expansion. Says operating also benefitted from "the earlier than anticipated" receipt of initial licence fees associated with the Polish Miecznik frigate programme. Says underlying operating cash flow in the period was higher than expected, largely due to contract phasing.

Babcock shares jump but Liberum says 'hold'

(Sharecast News) - Defence and civil specialist equipment manufacturer Babcock reported an "encouraging" start to the financial year, though that wasn't enough for analyst at Liberum to change their neutral stance on the stock.

LONDON MARKET OPEN: Stocks red; elevated oil prices bolster rate fears

(Alliance News) - Stock prices in London opened lower on Thursday as worries around the ailing Chinese property sector and the growing likelihood of interest rates remaining higher for longer weighed on market mood for yet another day.

LONDON BRIEFING: William Hill-owner 888 expects drop in annual revenue

(Alliance News) - Stocks in London were called flat on Thursday as markets grappled with a deepening property crisis in China and the prospect of interest rates staying higher for longer.

Babcock backs FY expectations after 'encouraging' start

(Sharecast News) - Babcock backed its full-year expectations on Thursday as it said trading since the start of the financial year has been "encouraging".

Sunday newspaper round-up: HS2, Babcock, Airbus

(Sharecast News) - The Prime Minister is facing enormous push back from senior Tories and captains of industry due to signs that he may walk back on plans for the northern section of the HS2 high speed rail service before the party conference next weekend. Rishi Sunak was expected to meet with the Chancellor on Monday or Tuesday and an announcement was expected to follow by the middle of the week, several sources told the Observer. One source however said that it was not inconceivable that Sunak might yet decide otherwise. - Guardian

UK shareholder meetings calendar - next 7 days

Broker tips: Ashmore, Melrose Industries, Babcock

(Sharecast News) - Shares of emerging markets investment manager Ashmore have tanked since the start of the year but still don't represent a buying opportunity, according to Citi, which maintained its 'sell' rating on the stock on Monday.

BofA Merrill Lynch starts Babcock at 'buy'

(Sharecast News) - Bank of America Merrill Lynch initiated coverage on Babcock on Monday with a 'buy' rating and 585p price target, implying more than 50% potential return.

LONDON BROKER RATINGS: SocGen raises Next to 'buy' from 'hold'

(Alliance News) - The following London-listed shares received analyst recommendations Friday morning:

Director dealings: Audioboom chair invests, Babcock CEO covers tax bill

(Sharecast News) - Podcast producer and distributor Audioboom was among those on the list of director buys on Wednesday, after its chairman bought more than five thousand shares.

IN BRIEF: James Fisher hires new CFO from Johnson Matthey

James Fisher & Sons PLC - Barrow In Furness, Cumbria-based marine services - Hires Karen Hayzen-Smith to be chief financial officer, starting by December 1. At that time, Duncan Kennedy will step down as CFO and from the board but will remain at James Fisher for a short transition. Hayzen-Smith currently is director of group finance at chemicals firm Johnson Matthey PLC. She has been in that role since January 2020 and also served as interim CFO for Johnson Matthey from November of that year to April 2021. Prior to Johnson Matthey, Hayzen-Smith worked at Babcock International Group PLC and Vodafone Group PLC.

Broker tips: IAG, Babcock

(Sharecast News) - Bank of America Merrill Lynch lifted its price target on BA and Iberia owner IAG on Monday to 260p from 240p and reiterated its 'buy' rating on the shares after results last week.

Berenberg ups Babcock target price, says company delivering on turnaround plan

(Sharecast News) - Analysts at Berenberg revised up their target price British aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering services outfit Babcock.

LONDON BROKER RATINGS: Oddo BHF raises IAG to 'outperform'

(Alliance News) - The following London-listed shares received analyst recommendations Monday morning: