Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C), Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT), United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU), Rolls-Royce Holding PLC (LON:RR), Smiths Group plc (LON:SMIN), Shire PLC (LON:SHP), Pennon Group plc (LON:PNN), Anglo American plc (LON:AAL), Vedanta Resources plc (LON:VED)
Severn Trent Surges After Consortium Approach (FoxBusiness)
Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT)‘s board said that Canada-based investment fund Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc., The Kuwait Investment Office, the London branch that manages funds on behalf of the state of Kuwait, and U.K.-based pension fund Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd. have teamed together to make an approach for the water utility. It cautioned that the approach may not lead to a formal bid. In accordance with U.K. takeover rules, the consortium has to announce a firm intention to make a bid by June 11, Severn Trent said. Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT)’s shares vaulted 18% higher in early trading, after the company disclosed the approach.
U.K. Stocks Little Changed Near 2007 High; Severn Trent Rallies (BusinessWeek)
U.K. stocks were little changed near their highest level in more than 5 1/2 years as retreating metal producers offset a rally by utility companies. Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT) soared 15 percent after the company confirmed that a consortium of infrastructure investors has approached it about a possible takeover. Rivals Pennon Group plc (LON:PNN) and United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU) both advanced more than 3 percent. Anglo American plc (LON:AAL) and Vedanta Resources plc (LON:VED) both lost more than 1.5 percent.
Why Severn Trent Plc, Babcock International Group PLC and ICAP plc Should Beat The FTSE 100 Today (Fool)
The FTSE 100 started the day well by setting yet another new five-and-a-half-year high, of 6,649 points, before settling back a little — at the time of writing it stands three points down on the day, at 6,628. The big early driver today was the takeover-led surge in Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT) shares, but the big miners are once again falling and dragging the index back. …Shares in Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT) soared by 276p (15%) to 2,101p this morning, after the provider of water and waste treatment confirmed rumours that it is the target of a takeover bid. Confirming recent press speculation, Severn Trent Plc (LON:SVT) revealed that it has been approached by a consortium, comprising Borealis Infrastructure Management, the Kuwait Investment Office, and Universities Superannuation Scheme, which “may or may not” lead to an offer being made.
United Utilities Group Given Neutral Rating at Citigroup (UU) (DailyPolitical)
United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU)‘s stock had its “neutral” rating reaffirmed by Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) in a research note issued on Monday, AnalystRatings.Net reports. They currently have a GBX 650 ($9.97) price target on the stock. A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on UU. Analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) Cazenove reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU) in a research note to investors on Thursday. They now have a GBX 720 ($11.04) price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU) in a research note to investors on Tuesday, April 30th.
United Utilities Group PLC : Carlisle tap water: New and improved (4-Traders)
Carlisle’s tap water just got better – thanks to a £1.5 million upgrade to the local water treatment works. New filtering technology has been installed at United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU)’ plant in Cumwhinton to make sure the 110,000 people who rely on it for their drinking water continue to get a great tasting cuppa. The technology uses ‘activated’ carbon to remove even more of the impurities which make water more difficult to treat. The scheme is part of United Utilities Group PLC (LON:UU)’ record-breaking £3.5 billion investment programme for the north west, which is part-funded by customers’ bills.
Rolls-Royce Holdings Given “Overweight” Rating at JPMorgan Chase (RR) (Zolmax)
Rolls-Royce Holding PLC (LON:RR)‘s stock had its “overweight” rating reaffirmed by research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) in a report released on Monday, Stock Ratings Network.com reports. They currently have a GBX 1,420 ($21.78) target price on the stock. Shares of Rolls-Royce Holding PLC (LON:RR) opened at 1182.00 on Monday. Rolls-Royce Holding PLC (LON:RR) has a 52 week low of GBX 493.098 and a 52 week high of GBX 1176.00. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently GBX 849.5. The company’s market cap is £22.129 billion. A number of other firms have also recently commented on RR. Analysts at Jefferies Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Rolls-Royce Holding PLC (LON:RR) in a research note to investors on Thursday, May 2nd.
Airbus offers sneak preview of new A350 (Yahoo)
French aerospace giant Airbus (Paris: NL0000235190 – news) offered a sneak preview of its latest long-haul carrier, the A350, on Monday, rolling out a first model in front of hundreds of staff at its assembly plant in south-western France. …In a statement, the company said the Trent XWB engines from Rolls-Royce Holding PLC (LON:RR) were assembled at the end of March and that “a series of vibration tests” have been carried out.
