Research & Tips

Share research from Hargreaves Lansdown

• Whitbread again delivers a breath of fresh air
  18 Jun, 2013 09:45
  First quarter update: Whitbread delivered its almost customary breath of fresh air in the midst of a tepid economic backdrop. Despite tough comparatives in the run up to the Olympics last year, Premier Inn continued to maintain its leading position. The Costa coffee business had another strong showing, with the poor weather providing a tailwind. Elsewhere, the company reiterated the strength of its financial position whilst, further out, the company's stretching strategic plans continue to provide opportunities for investors. Among

• Aggreko trading in line with expectations
  18 Jun, 2013 09:35
  Trading statement: Aggreko said earlier today that it expects to deliver results for the first half year in line with expectations. The temporary power supplier anticipates group revenues to grow around 5%, and trading profits to remain at similar levels to last year, with full year expectations unchanged. The group's Local Business division is on track to deliver a strong first half that will see revenues grow around 9%, with margins expected to improve from a year earlier. Aggreko added

• Home Retail Group fails to inspire
  13 Jun, 2013 10:10
  First quarter trading update: Against the backdrop of a negative opening for the UK stockmarket, the group's statement failed to inspire. Same store sales at Argos grew (+1.9%) at a reduced rate compared to the fourth quarter (+5.2%) of the previous year, with the catalogue retailer's product mix again highlighted as responsible for a fall (-0.75%) in the gross profit margin. Furthermore, accompanying management comments also highlighted its expectation for "consumer spending to remain subdued." The share price was down

Press tips from Share Cast

• Wednesday tips round-up: Chemring, Alcatel-Lucent, Majestic
  19 Jun, 2013 06:03
  Chemring Group, which supplies military munitions and counter-measures, has been affected by falling defence spending as the West gradually withdraws from Afghanistan, according to The Times' Tempus column. The group has had a difficult few months which s

• Tuesday tips round-up: AT&T, Ithaca Energy, Aggreko
  18 Jun, 2013 06:38
  AT&T is interested in buying Spain's Telefónica, according to reports Monday. The Financial Times' Lex column believes Telefónica's heavy debts of 70bn dollars net could make a deal easier as more than half of Telefónica's value is in its debt. "So AT&

• Sunday share tips: J.Sainsbury, Avation, Crest Nicholson
  16 Jun, 2013 13:31
  J Sainsbury seems to have stolen a march on rivals in the first quarter. Yes, like-for-like sales slowed, but the company maintained guidance for growth of 1 per cent to 1.5 per cent over the course of the year. Particularly noteworthy, customers seem to

Broker tips from Share Cast

• Broker tips: Aggreko, Imagination Tech, Lancashire
  19 Jun, 2013 11:57
  UBS has cut its recommendation for temperature control and power solutions firm Aggreko from 'buy' to 'neutral' and lowered its target price from 1,975p to 1,850p, saying the company faces headwinds next year.

• Broker snap: JPMorgan downgrades Lancashire ahead of hurricane season
  19 Jun, 2013 11:55
  JPMorgan Cazenove has cut its recommendation for insurance firm Lancashire Holdings from 'overweight' to 'neutral' given its premium multiple ahead of hurricane season as well as a full valuation.

• Wednesday broker round-up UPDATE
  19 Jun, 2013 11:20
  Aggreko: UBS cuts target price from 1975p to 1850p downgrading from buy to neutral. JP Morgan revises target price from 1870p to 1800p and retains a neutral rating.

Directors dealings from Share Cast

• Imagination Tech exec invests as company unveils annual results
  19 Jun, 2013 15:48
  A round-up of the biggest director buys today so far.

• AVEVA CEO raises nearly two million pounds through share sale
  18 Jun, 2013 15:56
  A round-up of the biggest director buys today so far.

• New Renold boss shows his faith after buying 1.5m shares
  17 Jun, 2013 16:26
  A round-up of the biggest director buys today so far.