magazine archive
magazine archive
Big News
BHP is the latest target for activist investors
Thursday 13 Apr 2017Can miner BHP Billiton ( BLT ) deliver more value for shareholders? The market certainly seems to think so, given the positive share price reaction to proposals by activist investor Elliott to shake up the FTSE 100 member. We think now is a good time to buy its shares at £13.25. BHP’s stock moved...
Sepura deal under UK regulatory spotlight
Thursday 13 Apr 2017The £74m acquisition of walkie-talkie manufacturer Sepura ( SEPU ) by Chinese firm Hytera Communications is being reviewed by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy on public interest grounds. The department is also asking the Competition and Markets Authority to look at...
Royal Dutch Shell faces bribery allegations
Thursday 13 Apr 2017Oil major Royal Dutch Shell ( RDSB ) is under pressure as leaked emails appear to validate claims of corruption over an oil deal in Nigeria in 2011. The $1.3bn deal to acquire the OPL 245 oil licence, in partnership with Italian firm Eni, allegedly delivered a financial windfall for Dan Etete, a...
Robert Walters lifted by City jobs boost
Thursday 13 Apr 2017Recruiter Robert Walters ( RWA ) has posted a 33% jump in net fee income to £78.3m in the first quarter of 2017 off the back of an upturn in financial services recruitment activity in London. The company says the impact of uncertainty around the Brexit vote is beginning to ease as UK gross profit...
Special dividend on cards for Central Asia Metals?
Thursday 06 Apr 2017Copper miner Central Asia Metals ( CAML:AIM ) has hinted to Shares it may pay a special dividend later in the year if surplus cash isn’t needed elsewhere for acquisitions or exploration work. Its capital expenditure requirements are greatly reduced this year, having completed work to expand a...
Margin pressure hits ASOS
Thursday 06 Apr 2017Online fashion retailer ASOS ( ASC:AIM ) is coming under pressure after first half results (4 Apr) revealed a fall in profit margins. Although guidance for sales growth for the year to the end of August was increased to 30% to 35%, profit guidance was left unchanged as it charged lower prices for...
Polar Capital makes a mint after Miton raid
Thursday 06 Apr 2017Asset manager Polar Capital ( POLR:AIM ) is riding high having snaffled star fund managers from a rival outfit. It could enjoy earnings upgrades if its current momentum is sustained. Polar, currently trading at 358p, launched Polar Capital UK Value Opportunities (IE00BD81XX91) in January with £111m...
Brace yourself for more British takeovers
Thursday 06 Apr 2017Further weakness in the sterling could lead to a second wave of incoming M&A as foreign companies would find it even cheaper to buy UK businesses. Already in 2017 consumer goods giant Unilever ( ULVR ) has fought off a £115bn bid from Kraft Heinz. Engineering consultant WS Atkins ( ATK )...
CityFibre seeks fresh funding deal
Thursday 06 Apr 2017Gigabit city fibre networks operator CityFibre Infrastructure ( CITY:AIM ) is looking secure new financing arrangements to arm itself for the next leg of its ambitious growth plans. The company wants to renegotiate around £100m of debt because of onerous interest charges, believed to be close to 10...
Sophos shines and shares at record high
Thursday 06 Apr 2017Surging fourth quarter demand and currency tailwinds will see cyber security business Sophos ( SOPH ) outperform market expectations for the year to 31 March 2017. That news sparked a 12% rally in the share price to 303.6p, the stock’s highest level since its London IPO at 225p on 1 July 2015...