SL..L Share News (SL.)

BROKER RATINGS SUMMARY: Jefferies Upgrades WPP To Buy From Hold

UK asset managers breath sigh of relief after 'benign' FCA probe

(ShareCast News) - The financial watchdog is planning a tougher clampdown on UK asset management companies as it feels the sector has enjoyed big profits for many year by not competing very hard on prices and fees, though analysts said the industry will breathe a sigh of relief at the lack of bite f

Standard Life India combination hits stumbling block

(ShareCast News) - Standard Life said on Monday that the possible combination involving its Indian joint venture, HDFC Life, as well as Max Life Insurance Company, Max Financial Services and Max India, had hit a roadblock. The FTSE 100 firm said an application was filed by HDFC Live and Max Life, se

Friday broker round-up

(ShareCast News) - Imperial Brands: JP Morgan keeps at neutral with a target price of 3660p. Standard Life: Berenberg stays at buy 416p target. Barclays: Societe Generale upgrades to buy with a 235p target. UBM: Barlcays reiterates equal-weight with a 755p target. Derwent London: Goldman Sachs ke

More Chinese banks line up for London despite Brexit

By Huw Jones LONDON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - More Chinese banks want to set up shop in London despite the Brexit vote which has prompted foreign lenders in the capital to consider bases in continental Europe. British and Chinese government officials met in London on Thursday to unveil a "s

Britain rethinks property fund rules after Brexit investor panic

* Financial Conduct Authority to issue paper in new year * Follows the suspension of many funds after Brexit vote * Officials fear market contagion risk, threat to stability * Other global regulators also turn focus to fund structures By Carolyn Cohn, Simon Jessop and Huw

Friday broker round-up

(ShareCast News) - Barclays: JP Morgan keeps at neutral with a target price of 190p. Standard Life: Jefferies stays at buy, 391p target. Senior: Berenberg reiterates buy with a 220p target. Imperial Brands: Deutsche Bank reiterates buy with a 4600p target. ITV: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform

UPDATE 1-Aviva rules out "significant" action following UK annuity review

(Adds analyst, detail, Prudential no-comment, shares) LONDON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Insurer Aviva said on Tuesday it did not expect to take "significant" action after Britain's regulator said some firms needed to review their sales of annuities to ensure people got the right deal. Rival

Tuesday broker round-up

(ShareCast News) - BT Group: Goldman Sachs keeps at buy with a target price of 560p. Bellway: Canaccord reiterates buy, 2350p target. Standard Life: Barclays keeps at underweight with a 301p target. Debenhams: HSBC maintains reduce with a 50p target. Smiths Group: UBS keeps at neutral with a 1510

UPDATE 1-Standard Life told by watchdog to review annuity sales

(Adds comment from Legal & General, updates shares) Oct 17 (Reuters) - Britain's financial watchdog has asked Standard Life Plc to review whether it gave customers in poor health enough information when it sold them pension products, the insurer said on Monday. The Financial Conduct A

UPDATE 3-Small number of UK insurers risk action over annuity sales

* FCA finds no evidence of industry-wide failure * Removes fears of big bill for misselling policies * Some firms may have to offer redress (Recasts first paragraph, adds comment from former pensions minister) By Huw Jones and Carolyn Cohn LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Brit

UK watchdog says found no major issues with enhanced annuities

LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Britain's financial watchdog said on Friday it found no widespread failures by insurers to give customers in poorer health enough information about the pensions they were buying. The Financial Conduct Authority conducted a "thematic review" or sector-wide study of

MOVES-Standard Life Investments sets up in Singapore

By Steve Slater LONDON, Oct 12 (IFR) - British asset manager Standard Life Investments has set up a new team in Singapore headed by Choon Wah Wong as it steps up its growth strategy in Asia. Standard Life Investments said on Wednesday the four-strong team in Singapore will include Won

MOVES-Standard Life adds to EM debt team

LONDON, Oct 6 (IFR) - Imran Ahmad has been appointed investment director in Standard Life's emerging market debt team. He joins from JP Morgan Asset Management, where he was currency portfolio manager since January 2013. Ahmad will report to Richard House, head of emerging markets fixed inc

Standard Life to open real estate fund next month

(ShareCast News) - After suspending its property fund in the wake of a post-Brexit crisis of confidence, Standard Life said it will re-open the fund next month. Standard Life Investments said it will lift the suspension of the UK Real Estate fund on Monday 17 October. Standard Life, which was the