The room is open....
I am also on Twitter as @Charlie_Trader
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
I am also on Twitter as @Charlie_Trader
Brandycreek
Junior member
- Messages
- 10
- Likes
- 0
Royal Mail
Any thoughts regards sell off of Royal Mail? Short term it seems attractive. Potential strike action just after sale would be my major concern to driving down price when open for public trade.
Any thoughts regards sell off of Royal Mail? Short term it seems attractive. Potential strike action just after sale would be my major concern to driving down price when open for public trade.
This still in use guys? Anyone in there who trades in the AIM?
Hi Griffo, I don't trade AIM but always interested in talking about trading & the markets.:whistling
Be nice to have an active forum for people who trade these stocks...
I trade FTSE large caps, miners, oils & banks.
Was looking for a bigger pop on the miners this morning after the Chinese GDP data and also an update from BLT.
Seems that was a rally to sell into for now.
I trade FTSE large caps, miners, oils & banks.
Was looking for a bigger pop on the miners this morning after the Chinese GDP data and also an update from BLT.
Seems that was a rally to sell into for now.
BHP Billiton maintains strong momentum
StockMarketWire.com
BHP Billiton maintained strong momentum in the nine months ended March with record production achieved for four commodities and at 10 operations.
The group reports strong operating performance throughout the period, the relatively limited impact of the wet season and the continued ramp-up of Jimblebar underpinned record production at Western Australia Iron Ore of 163 million tonnes (100% basis). Full-year production guidance has been raised by a further five million tonnes to 217 million tonnes (100% basis).
Queensland Coal achieved record annualised production of 69 million tonnes (100% basis) in the March 2014 quarter. A sustainable improvement in productivity and the successful ramp-up of Daunia has underpinned an increase in total metallurgical coal production guidance to 43.5 million tonnes for the 2014 financial year.
Petroleum liquids production increased by 16% to 77 million barrels of oil equivalent for the nine months ended March 2014, underpinned by a 71% increase at Onshore US. As a result of the successful divestment of Liverpool Bay and well remediation activities in the Hawkville that are now complete, total petroleum production for the 2014 financial year is expected to be approximately 245 million barrels of oil equivalent. The overall reduction in full-year guidance has been mitigated by an increased contribution from higher-margin crude and condensate.
Full-year copper production guidance remains unchanged at 1.7 million tonnes, with a strong June 2014 quarter anticipated.
BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie said: "Our productivity agenda continues to deliver outstanding results, underpinning a 10 per cent(1) increase in production so far this year. Having achieved record iron ore and metallurgical coal production during the first nine months of this year, we have raised full-year guidance for both commodities. The strong contribution from our high-margin Gulf of Mexico operations and the predictability of Escondida's performance is also pleasing. We continue to expect cumulative production growth of 16% over the two years to the end of the 2015 financial year.
"During the period, the fourth pellet plant at Samarco achieved first production and commissioning at Caval Ridge commenced ahead of schedule. Our newest hard coking coal mine will add to our uniquely diversified and opportunity-rich portfolio of large mining and petroleum operations.
"Group capital and exploration expenditure remains on track to decline by 25% in the 2014 financial year, before declining again next year. By maintaining strict financial discipline and a focus on our four pillars of Iron Ore, Copper, Coal and Petroleum, we continue to believe that an average rate of return of greater than 20%(2) is achievable for our major development options."
Story provided by StockMarketWire.com
StockMarketWire.com
BHP Billiton maintained strong momentum in the nine months ended March with record production achieved for four commodities and at 10 operations.
The group reports strong operating performance throughout the period, the relatively limited impact of the wet season and the continued ramp-up of Jimblebar underpinned record production at Western Australia Iron Ore of 163 million tonnes (100% basis). Full-year production guidance has been raised by a further five million tonnes to 217 million tonnes (100% basis).
Queensland Coal achieved record annualised production of 69 million tonnes (100% basis) in the March 2014 quarter. A sustainable improvement in productivity and the successful ramp-up of Daunia has underpinned an increase in total metallurgical coal production guidance to 43.5 million tonnes for the 2014 financial year.
Petroleum liquids production increased by 16% to 77 million barrels of oil equivalent for the nine months ended March 2014, underpinned by a 71% increase at Onshore US. As a result of the successful divestment of Liverpool Bay and well remediation activities in the Hawkville that are now complete, total petroleum production for the 2014 financial year is expected to be approximately 245 million barrels of oil equivalent. The overall reduction in full-year guidance has been mitigated by an increased contribution from higher-margin crude and condensate.
Full-year copper production guidance remains unchanged at 1.7 million tonnes, with a strong June 2014 quarter anticipated.
BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie said: "Our productivity agenda continues to deliver outstanding results, underpinning a 10 per cent(1) increase in production so far this year. Having achieved record iron ore and metallurgical coal production during the first nine months of this year, we have raised full-year guidance for both commodities. The strong contribution from our high-margin Gulf of Mexico operations and the predictability of Escondida's performance is also pleasing. We continue to expect cumulative production growth of 16% over the two years to the end of the 2015 financial year.
"During the period, the fourth pellet plant at Samarco achieved first production and commissioning at Caval Ridge commenced ahead of schedule. Our newest hard coking coal mine will add to our uniquely diversified and opportunity-rich portfolio of large mining and petroleum operations.
"Group capital and exploration expenditure remains on track to decline by 25% in the 2014 financial year, before declining again next year. By maintaining strict financial discipline and a focus on our four pillars of Iron Ore, Copper, Coal and Petroleum, we continue to believe that an average rate of return of greater than 20%(2) is achievable for our major development options."
Story provided by StockMarketWire.com
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101614452
Pfizer confirms approach to AstraZeneca
AZN should be very active at the open in 20 mins...
Pfizer confirms approach to AstraZeneca
AZN should be very active at the open in 20 mins...
BG Group's Chief Executive, Chris Finlayson, has resigned with immediate effect for 'personal reasons'. The group said that until a permanent replacement can be found, the company's Non-Executive Chairman, Andrew Gould, will takeover as Executive Chairman.
Lloyds Bank underlying profit substantially increased in Q1
StockMarketWire.com
Lloyds Banking Group said today that underlying profit and returns substantially increased in the first quarter to end-March. Underlying profit increased 22% to £1.8bn (up 73% excluding St. James's Place).
· Return on risk-weighted assets increased to 2.71 per cent (first quarter of 2013: 1.96 per cent)
· Net interest income up 10 per cent, driven by margin improvement of 36 basis points to 2.32 per cent
· Other income (excluding St. James's Place) down 7 per cent given disposals and a challenging environment
· Underlying income of £4,529 million, down 7 per cent (up 3 per cent excluding St. James's Place)
· Costs reduced by 5 per cent to £2,298 million, driven primarily by further Simplification savings
· Impairment charge reduced 57 per cent to £431 million; asset quality ratio improved 45 basis points to 0.35 per cent · Statutory profit before tax of £1,369 million and statutory profit after tax of £1,162 million
Capital and leverage further strengthened; continued loan to deposit ratio improvement and run-off reduction
· Capital position further strengthened: pro forma fully loaded CET1 ratio of 10.7 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 10.3 per cent)
· Medium-term Additional Tier 1 requirement delivered following successful offers for Enhanced Capital Notes
· Pro forma fully loaded Basel III leverage ratio increased to 4.5 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 3.8 per cent); pro forma fully loaded CRD IV leverage ratio improved to 4.1 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 3.4 per cent)
· First quarter deposit growth of £5.3 billion to £443.6 billion; wholesale funding reduced by £7.6 billion to £130.0 billion
· Run-off portfolio reduced by 11 per cent, or £3.6 billion, to £29.7 billion
· Impaired loans reduced to 5.7 per cent of closing advances (31 Dec 2013: 6.3 per cent; 31 March 2013: 8.0 per cent)
· Group loan to deposit ratio improved to 111 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 113 per cent)
· Tangible net asset value per share increased to 50.7p (31 Dec 2013: 48.5p)
Margin and impairment guidance improved; confident in the Group's prospects
· 2014 full year Group net interest margin now expected to be around 2.40 per cent, excluding effect of TSB disposal
· Following strong performance in the first quarter, guidance for asset quality ratio improved to approximately 45 basis points for the full year 2014, from approximately 50 basis points
· Guidance for costs, run-off portfolio reduction and capital generation remains unchanged
· Continue to expect to apply to the PRA in the second half to restart dividend payments
António Horta-Osório, Group CEO, said:
'We made good progress in the first quarter benefiting from our simple, low risk, UK focused retail and commercial banking business model. We provided further support to the UK economic recovery while delivering better underlying profitability and improved returns for shareholders from a stronger balance sheet. The launch of our Helping Britain Prosper Plan underlines our commitment to creating sustainable prosperity for our customers and growth in the UK economy. Our strong performance enabled the UK government to further reduce its stake, returning an additional £4.2 billion of taxpayers' money in the first quarter.'
Successful execution of differentiated strategy driving benefits for customers and shareholders
· Supporting and benefiting from the UK economic recovery; continued loan growth in key customer segments:
- SME loan growth of 5 per cent in last 12 months with approximately 29,000 start-ups supported in first quarter
- Lent £2.6 billion to first-time homebuyers in first quarter, including £342 million through Help to Buy
- UK Consumer Finance loan growth of 9 per cent in last 12 months
· Customers at the heart of our business; launched Helping Britain Prosper Plan
· Strong growth in relationship deposits in Retail and Commercial Banking
· Investing in products our customers need through channels they prefer, while improving efficiency and service
Story provided by StockMarketWire.com
StockMarketWire.com
Lloyds Banking Group said today that underlying profit and returns substantially increased in the first quarter to end-March. Underlying profit increased 22% to £1.8bn (up 73% excluding St. James's Place).
· Return on risk-weighted assets increased to 2.71 per cent (first quarter of 2013: 1.96 per cent)
· Net interest income up 10 per cent, driven by margin improvement of 36 basis points to 2.32 per cent
· Other income (excluding St. James's Place) down 7 per cent given disposals and a challenging environment
· Underlying income of £4,529 million, down 7 per cent (up 3 per cent excluding St. James's Place)
· Costs reduced by 5 per cent to £2,298 million, driven primarily by further Simplification savings
· Impairment charge reduced 57 per cent to £431 million; asset quality ratio improved 45 basis points to 0.35 per cent · Statutory profit before tax of £1,369 million and statutory profit after tax of £1,162 million
Capital and leverage further strengthened; continued loan to deposit ratio improvement and run-off reduction
· Capital position further strengthened: pro forma fully loaded CET1 ratio of 10.7 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 10.3 per cent)
· Medium-term Additional Tier 1 requirement delivered following successful offers for Enhanced Capital Notes
· Pro forma fully loaded Basel III leverage ratio increased to 4.5 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 3.8 per cent); pro forma fully loaded CRD IV leverage ratio improved to 4.1 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 3.4 per cent)
· First quarter deposit growth of £5.3 billion to £443.6 billion; wholesale funding reduced by £7.6 billion to £130.0 billion
· Run-off portfolio reduced by 11 per cent, or £3.6 billion, to £29.7 billion
· Impaired loans reduced to 5.7 per cent of closing advances (31 Dec 2013: 6.3 per cent; 31 March 2013: 8.0 per cent)
· Group loan to deposit ratio improved to 111 per cent (31 Dec 2013: 113 per cent)
· Tangible net asset value per share increased to 50.7p (31 Dec 2013: 48.5p)
Margin and impairment guidance improved; confident in the Group's prospects
· 2014 full year Group net interest margin now expected to be around 2.40 per cent, excluding effect of TSB disposal
· Following strong performance in the first quarter, guidance for asset quality ratio improved to approximately 45 basis points for the full year 2014, from approximately 50 basis points
· Guidance for costs, run-off portfolio reduction and capital generation remains unchanged
· Continue to expect to apply to the PRA in the second half to restart dividend payments
António Horta-Osório, Group CEO, said:
'We made good progress in the first quarter benefiting from our simple, low risk, UK focused retail and commercial banking business model. We provided further support to the UK economic recovery while delivering better underlying profitability and improved returns for shareholders from a stronger balance sheet. The launch of our Helping Britain Prosper Plan underlines our commitment to creating sustainable prosperity for our customers and growth in the UK economy. Our strong performance enabled the UK government to further reduce its stake, returning an additional £4.2 billion of taxpayers' money in the first quarter.'
Successful execution of differentiated strategy driving benefits for customers and shareholders
· Supporting and benefiting from the UK economic recovery; continued loan growth in key customer segments:
- SME loan growth of 5 per cent in last 12 months with approximately 29,000 start-ups supported in first quarter
- Lent £2.6 billion to first-time homebuyers in first quarter, including £342 million through Help to Buy
- UK Consumer Finance loan growth of 9 per cent in last 12 months
· Customers at the heart of our business; launched Helping Britain Prosper Plan
· Strong growth in relationship deposits in Retail and Commercial Banking
· Investing in products our customers need through channels they prefer, while improving efficiency and service
Story provided by StockMarketWire.com
