FLG.L Share News (FLG)

UK BROKER RATINGS: Goldman Adds BHP Billiton To Conviction Buy List

FTSE 100 movers: Supermarket stocks pull back after strong surge

Supermarket stocks were under pressure on Friday, with Tesco in particular pulling back after a 15% surge the previous session, following the announcement of its turnaround plan and resilient Christmas sales. Dampening Tesco's shares was the news that ratings agency Moody's had cut the UK grocer'

UK WINNERS & LOSERS: Jefferies Hammers Housebuilders With Downgrades

Broker tips: Tesco, Friends Life, Imagination Technologies

Shore Capital has welcomed new measures by Tesco to "crank up the customer service" ahead of Christmas, suggesting that competition from the rival discounters may be waning. Looking ahead of the all-important shopping week before Christmas, analyst Clive Black said that while the Big Four will likel

Charles Stanley upgrades Friends Life after recent falls

Charles Stanley has lifted its stance on insurance firm Friends Life Group (FLG), saying it sees limited downside after recent falls in the stock. The shares have fallen by around 10% since the broker last reiterated its 'reduce' rating on 8 December at around 380p. It said this was due to the fall

Monday broker round-up

Ashtead Group: Berenberg raises target price from 1170p to 1345p and keeps its 'buy' recommendation. Aviva: Citi increases target price from 590p to 620p and maintains a 'buy' recommendation. Bellway: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 1760p to 1778p and reiterates its 'hold' recommendation. Berk

Broker tips: Vodafone, Aviva, Northgate

Following reports the Vodafone (VOD) is exploring a possible combination with Liberty Global, UBS has said the UK telecoms group may have to wait until its shares rise before undertaking such a sizeable deal. "Near-term, we think the focus for VOD is on driving organic growth, integrating recent acq

Friends Life takeover a "rights issue in disguise" for Aviva, analysts say

Shore Capital has raised questions with Aviva's £5.6bn takeover of Friends Life, after the companies announced the details of the all-share bid on Tuesday. The broker said that the deal is a "rights issue in disguise" for Aviva, as it reiterated its 'sell' rating on the insurer. Friends Life shareh

London close: UK stocks retreat from two-month high as Petrofac, miners fall

A wave of M&A news failed to give UK markets a boost on Monday as investors took profits after stocks hit their highest in two months the previous session. The FTSE 100 finished 0.3% lower at 6,730 with a massive drop in the share price of oilfield services firm Petrofac and weakness in the mining s

FTSE 100 movers: Petrofac shares slide on profit warning

Petrofac's share price dropped by a quarter after the group scaled back its profit assumptions, saying that depressed oil prices and the timing of deliveries will result in a weaker bottom line. The company said net profits for 2014 will be at the lower end of the guided $580m-600m range, but would

Synergies from Aviva-Friends Life deal could be 'substantial', says The Share Centre

The proposed tie-up between insurance groups Aviva and Friends Life Group could create "substantial synergies", according to The Share Centre, details of which still remain unknown. The companies announced after the close on Friday that they had agreed on terms for a possible all-share combination.

Broker tips: LSE, Hargreaves Lansdown, British Land, Friends Life

Financial services group London Stock Exchange's steady earnings growth, in an environment where most of its peers have suffered earnings downgrades, has seen its stock significantly outperform its peers. Analysts at Citigroup expect the earnings momentum from the company's high-growth businesses, s

London midday: UK stocks treading water after recent gains, Petrofac shares tank

After finishing the previous session at a two-month high, UK stocks were treading water on Monday as investors paused for breath. The FTSE 100 was down just six points, or 0.09%, at 6,744.94 by midday, with Petrofac providing a drag on the blue-chip index after a profit warning. Shares in the oilfie

Aviva paying 'good price' for Friends Life, says Canaccord Genuity

Canaccord Genuity has lifted its target price for insurance firm Friends Life from 340p to 400p and repeated its 'buy' call, saying that the £5.6bn takeover offer from rival Aviva is a "good price" for shareholders. The companies announced that they had agreed on terms for a possible all-share combi

London open: UK markets pause at two-month high, but Petrofac plummets

UK stocks opened broadly flat on Monday with markets pausing for breath after hitting a two-month high last week. The FTSE 100 was trading down just 0.04% at 6,748 in early deals, with oilfield services group Petrofac providing a drag after a profit warning. The index finished Friday at 6,750.76, a