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FTSE 100 starts December by closing in red; global markets also lower
Britain's blue-chip benchmark finished around 65 points lower at 7,281, while mid-cap cousin FTSE 250 lost over 137 points at 20,675
Company
Berkeley Group Holdings PLC
LON:BKG
The Berkeley Group Holdings PLC builds homes and neighbourhoods across London, Birmingham and the South of England. The company revives underused land, creating welcoming, sustainable and nature-rich places where communities thrive and where people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy a great quality of life.
304 stories · page 2 of 4
Archive
Will Berkeley bump up guidance and Primark pick up AB Foods?
Other items on the business agenda in the coming week include the key US jobs report, PMI data and results from Cineworld, Ferguson, DMGT, IG and Loungers
Berkeley Group says demand good but costs and Brexit bad
Berkeley said it is "very mindful of the potential for short-term market dislocations from the current political back-drop"
No Brexit concerns for Brickability as it cements plans for £150mln AIM IPO
The bricks supplier, which also has a heating and plumbing business as well as a roofing division, expects to join the junior market at the end of this month
Housebuilders' pay big yields but do they offer value any more?
“Given the attractive yields on offer, the question of sustainability becomes more hazy the further out you look”
Builders and building materials
Blue chip builders boosted as housing market brightens up according to surveyors report
A survey of surveyors showed interest among house buyers rose for the first time in more than two and a half years
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher on day and week as world leaders meet
The mid-cap FTSE 250 added over 147 points to close at 19,462 on Friday
Berkeley Group builds up vast cash pile as profits fall 'only' 21%
The upmarket housebuilder's profits were expected to fall around 30% at the start of the year and had declined 26% in the first half of the year
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher Monday, just, as traders sit on hands
Footsie closed around 11 points higher at 7,357 at the start of the week, while mid-cap cousin FTSE 250 gained over 39 points
Archive
Federal Reserve rate decision to dominate in week ahead, with BoE meeting likely to be dull
The corporate diary is fairly sparse, but there are some bright spots, notably updates from refocused blue chip hotels group Whitbread and housebuilder Berkeley Group
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes down after latest Trump trade war stunt
The Dow Jones suffered a 300 point fall in the first half hour of trading
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in positive territory as MPs vote down May's deal again
Footsie closed at 7,279, up nearly 45 points on the day
Absence of provisions makes Bellway stand out from rival UK housebuliders
Many UK housebuilders have had to put aside money to tackle issues such as poorly built homes and Grenfell Tower-style cladding
Archive
FTSE 100 closes higher at traders focus on Federal Reserve's dovish tone
The FTSE 250 though, seen as a better indicator of the state of UK companies, closed down around 41 points at 19,347.
Berkeley Group leaves guidance unchanged but is "mindful" of potential for disruption from political back-drop
Berkeley reiterated the updated pre-tax profit guidance it provided in December 2018 for this, and the next two years, which represented an increase of around 8% in the guidance for the current year.
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes Friday higher and gains on week as investor growth fears ease
The footsie closed up nearly 43 points at 7,228, while FTSE 250 gained almost 208 points at 19,491
Archive
JD Wetherspoon set to count cost of recent wage hike in Friday’s interims
Profits at the no-frills pub chain are set to fall in the first six months of its financial year, as bosses were forced to hike wages back in November, which will more than offset rising sales
Archive
Shifting supermarket landscape the focus with first-half results from Morrison's
Aside from Morrison's, the Week Ahead will also bring updates from housebuilder Berkeley Group, insurer Prudential and fund manager Standard Life Aberdeen
End of Help to Buy could spell disaster for Persimmon and other housebuilders
More than 190,000 people have used Help to Buy since the programme was launched in 2013, government data revealed on Tuesday
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher but only just as sentiment boosted by trade progress
The UK blue-chip index finished around five points ahead at 7,183
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 joins the decline in global equities to close lower
There is not a lot of earnings news on either side of the Atlantic to drive markets higher
Builders and building materials
Crest Nicholson weak as Redburn downgrades in otherwise positive UK housebuilding review
Redburn’s analysts said: “Popular commentary continues to paint the UK housing market as weak, but we view activity as remarkably resilient considering Brexit uncertainties"
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher as attention focuses on House of Commons vote
FTSE 100 closed 40 points higher at 6,895, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 closed around 12 up at 18,429.
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes lower as Chinese data and Brexit weighs
Footsie closed down over 63 points at 6,855 on the day
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in red but nudges higher on the week; housebuilders gain on day
The UK blue-chip benchmark closed down around 24 points at 6,918, while FTSE 250 added nearly 107 points on the day
FTSE 100 closes in the red as Federal Reserve's rate hike creates jitters
"Investors aren’t willing to forgive Fed Chair Jeremy Powell yet; a soft open on Wall Street threatens to drag the FTSE lower into the close," said Fiona Cincotta at City Index
Archive
Bank of England unlikely to follow Fed rate hike lead after last monetary policy meeting of 2019
Recent weak economic data, a general malaise on Brexit and the febrile political environment is now likely to lead to UK policymakers to take more of a ‘wait and see’ approach
Archive
FTSE 100 closes lower as US sinks with Santa rally looking a vague memory
At the close, the FTSE 100 was down 71.93 points, or 1.1% at 6,773.24, just above the session low of 6,761.37 and well below the early high of 6,845.17.
Builders and building materials
Analysts can’t make their mind up about housebuilders
UBS and Shore Capital both acknowledge that trading is likely to get tougher for housebuilders but they also reckon that the market has knocked a bit too much off their share prices
Builders and building materials
Peel Hunt thinks Brexit uncertainty will stop house prices from rising in 2019
The City broker has slashed price targets for almost every UK housebuilder, while it has also downgraded a handful of companies in the sector
Berkeley raises profit guidance after "resilient" start to the year amid housing market slowdown
The company said the London and south-east property market “lacks urgency” and demand has been constrained by macroeconomic uncertainties as Brexit looms
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher on day after dreadful week for European benchmarks
"A collective sigh of relief was felt across Oil markets after OPEC+ delegates successfully reached an agreement to cut production by 1.2 million barrels per day," said Lukman Otunuga at FXTM
Archive
Berkeley to report drop in first-half earnings amid housing market slowdown
The day ahead includes interim results from Berkeley Group and the US non-farm payrolls report, while conditional dealings for AJ Bell's London IPO are due to begin
Builders and building materials
Liberum upgrades three housebuilders to 'Buy' as it sees upside from smooth Brexit outweigh no-deal risks
In a note to clients, the broker upgraded Barratt, Bovis Homes, and Crest Nicholson to ‘Buy’ from ‘Hold’ off what it said was an upside of “at least 20%” if a smooth Brexit materialised
FTSE 100 clings on to triple-digit gain
The Footsie looked destined to finish well off the top but still sporting a handsome gain following a weekend of deals at the G20 and Opec meetings
Archive
Fashion firms and a housebuilder, plus US jobs data to provide interest in the first week of Advent
Ted Baker PLC and Joules PLC will fly the fashion flag, while Berkeley Group PLC will provide the mortar on a fairly quiet corporate diary at the start of December
Archive
Don't bet your house on the housebuilders
Another profit warning from Crest Nicholson plus the previously buoyant East Anglia housing market joining London and the South-East in the doghouse is further evidence the sector has peaked
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes down nearly 2% as the big sell-off continues
The UK blue-chip benchmark finished down nearly 139 points lower at 7,006 - not far from the 7,000 mark
FTSE 100 closes in red; Royal Mail delivers share plunge
The UK blue-chip index closed down around 14 points at 7,495 as the stronger pound weighed
FTSE 100 closes higher as traders come back to equities
It was around that level most of the day and closed at 7,304 - that's up around 0.37% on the week
Builders and building materials
Barratt, Berkeley and Redrow continue to dole out dividends despite uncertain outlook
This week's results from housebuilders will do "little to settle the argument between the bulls and bears over the sector", according to AJ Bell's Russ Mould
Berkeley Group rolling in cash, whinges about housing headwinds
Is a lack of urgency in a housing market a bad thing?
FTSE 100 closes in red and at four month-low amid trade worries
The pound added 0.03% against the Euro and was up 0.40% against the US dollar..
Archive
Berkeley Group and Barratt Developments go head-to-head
London will be a hot issue for both house-builders. Much of the rear-view mirror stuff has already been released so the focus will be on current trading.
FTSE 100 sails higher, bolstered by stumbling sterling
The UK blue-chip index finished up over 72 points at 7,504, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 was also higher
Archive
Housebuilders to be in focus as Autumn kicks off with a welter of sector updates
Aside from the housebuilders, the week head will also see updates from advertising giant WPP, electricals retailer Dixons Carphone, and transport operator Go-Ahead Group
FTSE 100 closes higher as hopes grow for US, China trade talks
FTSE 100 closed ahead as the new trading week began, but off the 7,600 level, adding over 32 points to 7,591
House-builders have fallen into buying range
Berenberg has initiated coverage on 11 house-builders and not one of them is a 'sell' in its book
FTSE 100 closes in positive territory but is down on week as trade tensions continue to blight markets
Benchmarks on Wall Street are trading higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 116 points
Berkeley Group downgraded by Shore Capital as it views shares as “over bought”
Analysts at the broker said given the cautious profit forecasts last week the shares were looking expensive and were at a "significant premium to the rest of the sector"
Investments and investor services
Fusion Antibodies, Cap-XX and Best of the Best among key small cap movers
A look at some of the biggest risers and fallers in London.
Berkeley Group slides as it hints of tougher times ahead
There was no sign of an increased dividend pay-out despite strong cash generation; indeed, it appears that the company is holding cash back as a result of concerns over the economy
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 finishes higher; Ocado top riser as analysts highlight the potential
FTSE 100 closed up around 23 points at 7,627, while FTSE 250 added over 90 points at 20,926..
Archive
Berkeley Group shrugging off the London effect
Berkeley previously guided for a further order book unwind in the second half of the financial year just ended but to remain above £2bn, reflecting a still subdued market and high deliveries.
Archive
Dixons Carphone has already had a kicking so investors will be hoping full-year numbers provide some relief
The Week Ahead also includes updates from blue chips Ashtead Group and Ferguson, plus mid-cap housebuilder Berkley Group, and the latest Bank of England interest rate decision
Housebuilder Berkeley says it won't step-up production amid Brexit uncertainty
Berkeley said it has been acquiring land selectively and expects cash flow will be "broadly working capital neutral over the course of the year"
FTSE 100 heats up ahead of chilly weekend
The top-share index rallied in the afternoon session to close at 7,164, up 24 points on the day
Investments and investor services
Markets nervous ahead of Capita finals, is it ‘the next Carillion’?
Capita will be a focus on Thursday, others include Bovis House, Cobham, and National Express.
Investments and investor services
Nakama says expected recovery in trading has not materialised
Andrea Williams, the new chief executive officer, is conducting a strategic review of the operating businesses and putting in place measures to stabilise the business, reduce operating costs and grow net fee income.
FTSE 100 ends lower as pound firms; housebuilders weigh
Britain's top tier index closed around 54 points lower at 7,533
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes above 7,600 as Santa rally kicks in
The FTSE 100 index closed up 78 points at 7,603, just off the all time high
Builders and building materials
Travis Perkins shares drop as JPMorgan downgrades stock in review of housebuilders
JPMorgan said its top picks remain Bellway and Persimmon while Bovis Homes is its least preferred stocks among UK housebuilders
FTSE 100 slips slightly to close in the red after swinging between gains and losses
The FTSE 100 finally gave up and settled in the red, albeit slightly down ahead of BoE's monetary policy decision on Thursday
Archive
Yellen & Co in focus as Fed looks set to raise rates; TUI, Dixons Carphone, Bellway to update
Day Ahead includes the final Federal Reserve meeting outcome of 2017, plus updates from travel firm TUI, electricals retailer Dixons Carphone, and housebuilder Bellway
Archive
Federal Reserve Grinch to dominate among upcoming central bank rate decisions
The Week Ahead will be dominated by interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England and ECB, plus UK inflation and results from Ashtead Group, TUI, and Dixons Caphone among others
Housebuilders boosted by Brexit 'breakthrough' and well-received Berkeley interims
Prime Minister Theresa May has secured a deal with European Union to move Brexit talks onto the next phase
Berkeley upgrades five-year profit guidance but points to Brexit-driven slowdown
Berkeley expects the current financial year to be a peak for the group, though it upgraded its forecast for the five years to April 2021
FTSE 100 up 1% as pound takes a kicking following Brexit breakthrough
The non-farm payroll number beat consensus expectations, coming in at 228,000
Archive
US non-farm payrolls data in focus as Federal Reserve's interest rate decision looms
The day ahead includes the US non-farm payrolls report and interim results from Berkeley
Archive
US jobs to dominate with December rate hike expected, plus updates from Stagecoach, Berkeley Group
The Week Ahead diary includes the December US jobs data, plus corporate updates from Stagecoach PLC, Ferguson PLC, IG Group PLC, and Berkeley Group PLC
Deutsche Bank downgrades Berkeley Group but remains bullish on sector
"Given the strong affordability and buy versus rental argument we believe the employment confidence is the key indicator of housing demand."
Builders and building materials
Deutsche Bank says land banking review will actually be a positive for housebuilders
Land promoters will likely be the ones under the real pressure to offload sites they have no intention of developing, which could make it cheaper for housebuilders to buy up land
Barclays downgrades a trowel-full of house-builders ahead of Budget
House-builders have had a great run this year, and it may be time to bank profits-or at least stop buying more stock
Archive
FTSE 100 closes in red as pound strengthens; BoE in focus
Around 4pm, the UK blue chip index fell 14 points to 7,490 as the Bank of England's interest rate decision looms
Archive
Galliford Try full year profits to be hit by £98m one-off charge for legacy contracts
Wednesday's calendar includes annual results from Galliford Try and Dunelm along with official UK jobs data
Archive
Carney & Co in the crosshairs, plus key UK data and updates from Next, Morrisons and Wetherspoon
Week ahead includes latest Bank of England policy meeting, UK data on inflation, unemployment, wages and retail sales, plus corporate updates from Next, Associated British Foods, Wm Morrison Supermarkets, and JD Wetherspoon
Builders and building materials
Barratt and Berkeley drag shares in housebuilders lower as they caution investors on Brexit
The housing sector continues to be supported by low interest rates, good mortgage availability and the government's Help to Buy scheme but analysts have questioned how long this will last
Berkeley shares drop as it says Brexit uncertainty continues to hurt London housing market
The housebuilder is on course to achieve at least £3bn of pre-tax profits in the five years to the end of April 2021
FTSE 100 closes lower as traders continue to fret about North Korea
FTSE 100 closed down 18.79 at 7,354, while the FTSE 250 lost over 74 points at 19,652.
Archive
Sports Direct chairman faces the boot at AGM on busy day of updates from housebuilders
Sports Direct’s AGM and earnings from housebuilders will take centre stage on Wednesday
FTSE 100 still in the red on North Korea tensions, weak UK construction data
London stocks fell as North Korea tensions flared and UK construction data missed expectations
Archive
Barrage of builders to update in week ahead with Brexit concerns remaining key
Week ahead includes updates from a raft of housebuilders, including Barratt Developments, Berkeley Group and Bovis Homes, plus trading news from Halfords Group, and the latest European Central Bank Council meeting
FTSE 100 joins global equity rally to finish higher
Copper is like Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker crossing the halfway line with ball still at feet – in nose-bleed territory, or at least at levels last seen three years ago
Berkeley Group's price target raised by Deutsche Bank
Berkeley's shares have risen strongly, fuelled by the company's generous dividends, but Deutsche Bank thinks the house builder still has plenty of cash to return to shareholders
Gleeson’s bullish update the latest sign that northern property market is catching up with south
Investors and private buyers are driving up demand in places like Leeds and Manchester as they start to venture outside of London
Jefferies thinks 'All Roads Lead to New-build' as it repeats bullish view on UK housebuilders
The US broker highlighted four reasons for their preference for the builders noting, firstly. that not enough homes are being built in the UK, meaning demand outweighs supply
Growth in its land bank shows builder Berkeley Group has confidence despite Brexit uncertainties
Russ Mould noted that: “Berkeley continues to grow its land bank in the view that demand for houses will continue to outstrip supply, despite the understandable concerns voiced by chief executive Rob Perrins about ‘prevailing macro uncertai
Berkeley Group posts strong jump in profits as London housing market stabilises, but cautions on Brexit uncertainties
For the 12 months to April 30, the FTSE 250-listed group reported at 53% rise in pretax profit to £812mln, up from £530.9mln a year earlier.
Archive
Trading update from Coffee Costa and Premier Inn firm Whitbread could be a positive catalyst
Day ahead: Trading update from Whitbread; full-year results from Berkeley Group ...
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 ends higher on day Brexit negotiations begin
The FTSE 100 closed 60 points up at 7,523 as the government begins Brexit negotiations.
FTSE 100 rises as May's new government is DUPed
Despite the worst case scenario in the General Election, the FTSE 100 rose strongly
Powerhouse Energy energised by up to £500,000 funding deal
Some of the main risers and fallers in London at 3.45pm
JPMorgan Cazenove turns positive on Redrow, Countryside, but neutral on Bovis and Crest Nicholson
The US bank’s analysts upgraded their ratings for both Redrow and Countryside to ‘overweight’ from ‘neutral’, but reversed their stance on Bovis and Crest the other way, down to ‘neutral’
Builders and building materials
Could Bovis Homes still be "in-play" despite appointment of new CEO and Galliford Try merger rejection?
Shore Capital analyst Robin Hardy said: “There have been suggestions that an offer could come from outside the industry and while that is a long-shot, it is possible and many observers will still view Bovis as being ‘in play’.”
Liberum Capital more cautious on UK housebuilders despite raising forecasts, targets across the sector
The analysts said they have raised earnings per share forecasts for the housebuilders by around 10% for 2017 and 15% for 2018 as its house price inflation forecasts rise to +3% in 2017 and +1% in 2018, reflecting improved UK economic foreca
Housebuilder Berkeley sees profits at top-end as London, south-east market stabilises post-Brexit vote
The firm said overall underlying reservations in the seven months since the immediate Brexit referendum effect are down 16% on the comparable period last year, although the last two months have been ahead of last year
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 hits record high close, again
FTSE 100 stocks closed at a record high on Friday for a second successive session, after making a fresh intraday peak, and a good way for equity investors to end the week
Archive
Day ahead - Brexit factors key for updates from Berkeley Group and SThree
Berkeley Group – “London’s pre-eminent housebuilder” – is facing challenging times with the higher end of the UK capital’s market slowing down since last June’s Brexit vote
Builders and building materials
Specific issues drive bid moves for Bovis, but could another consolidation wave come for housebuilders?
Analysts at Liberum believe both Redrow and Galliford could both pay up a little more for Bovis, but added that they may choose not to as they “earn better returns from buying open market land”