STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Corporate, economic data diaries thin on Mon

Fri Mar 6, 2009 11:15am EST
 
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    STOCKS NEWS                     Reuters                    Results diary 
    Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS]   Real-time Equity News [E]  [WEU/EQUITY] 
 
    16:04GMT 06March2009-Europe corporate, economic data diaries thin on Mon 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Based on Monday's corporate earnings and economic data diaries, investors 
will have little in the way of new information to trade on. 
     
    EUROPEAN COMPANIES 
    DFDS A/S FINAL     
    Continental AG      Q4        
    Binckbanck NV       FINAL     
    Bovis Homes Group   PRELIM    
    Petrofac Ltd        PRELIM    
    Cookson Group Plc   PRELIM    
     
    ECONOMIC DATA 
    0645 CH Jobless Feb 
    0930 EZ Sentix March 
     
    Reuters Messaging rm://peter.starck.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    15:58GMT 06Mar2009-Allergy rises after jab submission 
    ----------------------------------------------------- 
  Shares in Allergy Therapeutics  rise 20 percent as investors take 
heed of Wednesday's announcement that the company has submitted a request to 
European regulators for marketing authorisation for its hayfever jab. 
    "It just takes a few days for it to work through because if the market 
makers have stock available and people want to buy, they'll buy at current 
prices until they run out. Then they have to put the price up and try to draw 
out sellers," says Edison analyst Robin Davison, adding that some people may 
have just taken a while to wake up to the news. 
    For more please click on [nL4570813] 
    Reuters messaging rm://ben.deighton.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    15:05GMT 06March2009-EDP jumps on results, liquidity boost 
    ----------------------------------------------------------- 
    Stocks in Energias de Portugal  rise 6 percent after it announced 
higher-than-expected 2008 results and two operations that boost the company's 
finances. 
 EDP, Portugal's main utility said late on Thursday its 2008 results rose 20 
percent to nearly 1.1 billion euros. It also said it contracted a 1.6 billion 
euro loan from a group of banks and also issued securities backed by government 
tariff compensation guarantees worth 1.2 billion euros. 
    "Although the securitization was expected, it is a strong catalyzer for EDP 
stocks as it disperses concerns about its financial situation," Credit Suisse 
anaylsts said. 
    Reuters Messaging rm://andrei.khalip.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    14:22GMT 06March2009-JP Morgan recommends smallcap market leaders 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Pan-European small and midcaps with market leading positions in their 
sectors and solid balance sheets remain an investment case, JP Morgan says in a 
note. 
    "The idea is simple, the strong tend to get stronger during downturns and 
are more likely to survive (as scale can provide sourcing/cost advantages, and 
diversification)," the brokerage adds. 
    JP Morgan adds Germany's Rhoen-Klinikum  to the "Investment 
Opportunities" section of its radar. Other companies of the section include 
Kingfisher Plc , Fraport  and voestalpine . 
    Reuters Messaging rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    14:17GMT 06March2009-Almirall down on lung drug delays 
    ------------------------------------------------------ 
    Shares in Spanish drug company Almirall  fall 3.8 percent after the 
company announced delays in filing its aclidinium bromide lung drug with partner 
Forest  in the United States. 
    "The lastest delay removes potential for any near-term aclidinium bromide 
revenue contribution," Citigroup analysts say in a note. 
    They add that it also raises the risk that Forest decide to amend or 
terminate its partnership agreement, which contributes to 60 percent of the 
drug's R&D costs. 
    For more double click on [nL614090] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://tracy.rucinski.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    14:12GMT Peter Hambro rises on gold price, production forecasts 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------     
    Shares in Peter Hambro Mining Plc , Russia's second-biggest gold 
producer, jump 8.2 percent, helped by higher gold prices and investor confidence 
following the release of the company's annual production forecasts. 
    "There is a little bit of confidence in where the company is heading and the 
gold price has helped a fair bit as well," says Tim Dudley, analyst at Arbuthnot 
Securities. The shares have been sold off pretty heavily in the last few days as 
well, he added. 
    To see the story please click on [nL6596445] 
    Reuters messaging rm://julie.crust.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    13:20GMT 06March2009-UK insurers sink as capital fears persist 
    -------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in British life insurers fall steeply for a second day amid 
persistent concerns a deteriorating investment climate and falling asset values 
will dent the sector's capital base, prompting dividend cuts or rights issues. 
    Friends Provident  is 15.2 percent lower, making it the FTSE 100's 
biggest faller, while Aviva , Legal & General , Standard Life 
 and Prudential  are down by between 5.7 percent and 10.5 percent. 
    "We're just trading on fear," says ING analyst Kevin Ryan. "People are very 
worried about the quality of the assets insurers are holding. With zero interest 
rates and equity and bond markets that don't offer reliable yields, the game 
appears up for insurance companies." 
    The slump in insurance stocks comes one day after Aviva said it was keeping 
its dividend unchanged, prompting concerns that the payout would put extra 
strain on its capital base, and wiping a third off its market value. 
    Reuters Messgaing rm://myles.neligan.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
  Keywords: MARKETS EUROPE STOCKSNEWS  
    
     
    13:19GMT 06March2009-VWD gains on DZ Bank contract 
    -------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in German financial data provider vwd Vereinigte Wirtschaftsdienste 
AG  rise 4 percent after the company said late on Thursday it has 
concluded a long-term contract with DZ Bank  worth about 40 million 
euros ($50.57 million). 
    "In these uncertain times, the news is particularly good. Above all, the 
sales volume is impressive and should have a positive impact," says GSC Research 
analyst Klaus Kraenzle. 
    For more double click on [nEQokmopas] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
    ($1=.7909 Euro) 
     
    12:31GMT 06Mar2009-Banks sink to 16-yr low as gloom returns 
    ----------------------------------------------------------- 
    European bank stocks tumble to a 16-year low as more gloom about economic 
prospects rattles the sector and revives concern that further government help or 
capital raisings will be needed. 
    The DJ Stoxx European bank index <.SX7P> falls 3.4 percent to 92.4 points, 
after sinking to 90.6, its lowest level since late 1992. 
    Italian banks lead the fall with Intesa SanPaolo  down 9.5 percent 
and UniCredit  down 6 percent amid concern their earnings later this 
month will show a bleak outlook. 
    "We had a series of meetings with Italian banks recently which highlighted 
that the outlook for 2009 had deteriorated markedly," analysts at Exane say in a 
note, cutting earnings and price targets for six banks. 
    Dealers and analysts say banks are bearing the brunt of concern that 
economies and stock markets have further to fall. The prospect of a sharp rise 
in corporate bad debts would put more pressure on the capital of many lenders. 
    Other fallers include France's Credit Agricole , BNP Paribas 
 and SocGen , all down over 6 percent, and Britain's HSBC 
, down 4 percent. 
    Reuters Messaging rm://steve.slater.reuters.com@reuters.net 
                        rm://nigel.tutt.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    12:30GMT 06Mar2009-Payom Solar up as company says 2009 has started strong 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in Payom Solar  are 6.8 percent higher in regular trade and 
over 10 percent higher in Frankfurt floor trade  after the solar company 
announces a successful start to 2009 and says it has won a key order. 
 Payom acquired an order as part of an open space installation with a total 
capacity of 2.1 Megawatts and a sales volume of more than 6 million euros ($7.59 
million). 
    Close Brothers analyst Martin Deco says the order accounts for almost 15 
percent of his total sales estimates for Payom in 2009. 
    "We believe that Payom will be able to show an appealing performance in 2009 
despite the expected slowdown in growth in the German solar market," he says. 
    Reuters Messaging rm://tyler.sitte.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net 
 ($1=.7909 Euro) 
     
    12:26GMT 06Mar2009-FTSE Small Caps down 0.7 percent at midday 
    ------------------------------------------------------------- 
    The FTSE Small Cap Index <.FTSC> falls further in mid session trade, down 
0.7 percent, as the FTSE 100 <.FTSE> recovers some of its earlier losses but is 
still down 0.1 percent, while the FTSE 250 <.FTMC> slips 1.6 percent, ahead of 
the non-farm payroll figures. 
    Sexual health specialist Futura Medical  slides 11 percent after the 
company announces that it will raise 1 million pounds by issuing 5 million 
shares at 20 pence per share. 
    Landkom International , an oilseed rape and wheat 
producer, adds more than 2.1 percent after saying it plans to 
raise 4.8 million pounds via a share placing to help the company 
operate through and beyond this year's harvest, due to begin in 
June. 
    Reuters Messaging rm://david.brett.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
 12:20GMT 06March2009-Seadrill drops on refinancing risk 
    ------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in Norwegian offshore oil driller Seadrill  
fall 5.4 percent on worries around refinancing of its 
rig-building programme. 
    "It's got nothing to do with the drilling market, people are 
just worried about the balance sheet," Fearnley Fonds analyst 
Truls Olsen says. 
    "Seadrill is far from home free. They need to refinance 
around $1-1.5 billion in the next 12-18 months," Olsen says. 
"With all that is happening to banks, it's not a given that it 
will be easy." 
    Reuters messaging rm://richard.solem.reuters.com@reuters.net 
         
    12:17GMT 06March2009-Conergy drops; brokerages cut price 
target 
    
--------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in German solar systems maker Conergy  drop 
4 percent in Frankfurt's technology index <.TECDAX>, after 
Equinet halves its price target in the company to 0.25 euros 
from 0.50 euros, and with traders pointing a price target cut by 
WestLB to 0.40 euros from 0.70 euros. 
    "The risk-reward-profile continues to be far away from being 
attractive (stretched valuation despite a weak balance sheet) 
and ... our new price target of 0.25 euros ... offers a downside 
potential of 50 percent," Equinet writes in a note, keeping its 
"sell" rating on the stock. 
    Conergy  on Thursday posted a 2008 net loss of 199 
million euros ($251.6 million), mainly due to currency losses 
and restructuring, and did not give a 2009 outlook. 
    For more double click on [nL5188699] 
    Reuters Messaging 
rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
    ($1=.7909 Euro) 
     
    11:38GMT 06March2009-BT slumps on pension, dividend concerns 
    ------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Shares in BT  slump 6.8 percent, making them among the 
top losers on the FTSE 100 <.FTSE>, after Morgan Stanley 
suggests the group may cut the final dividend to pay increased 
top ups to its pension. 
    BT will report its final results in mid May and analysts 
have speculated for some time that it will have to cut its 
dividend. The group also hopes to report the results of its 
pension review at that time. 
    "We now consider 500 million pounds per year a minimum 
top-up level (previously a maximum), with 750 million pounds a 
possibility if pension trustees take a more conservative view on 
deficit recovery," Morgan Stanley says in a note. 
   "A zero final dividend is possible, leaving a total dividend 
at 5.5 pence and the stock on a significant premium to the 
sector." 
    Reuters messaging rm://kate.holton.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    11:35GMT 06March2008-Swedbank shares down 10 pct on capital 
raising fear 
    
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Shares in Swedish financial services group Swedbank 
 fall 9.9 percent on concern that it will need to 
raise more capital after a 12.4 billion Swedish crown ($1.34 
billion) issue in December last year. 
    "It's a result of worries they will need more capital," says 
one analyst who declined to be identified. 
    Worries are that the firm's loan losses, particularly in the 
Baltics and Central Europe, will rise substantially. 
    Rivals SEB  and Nordea  have also announced 
plans to raise capital. 
    Separately, Nomura cuts its price target on Swedbank to 22 
crowns from 30 crowns. Nomura also cuts Nordea and 
Handelasbanken . 
    Swedbank stock is down nearly 90 percent over the last 12 
months. 
    Reuters messaging rm://oskar.vonbahr.reuters.com@reuters.net 
    ($1=9.239 Swedish Crown) 
     
    11:22GMT 06Mar2009-Oerlikon up 10 pct on covenant relief 
    -------------------------------------------------------- 
    Swiss technology group Oerlikon  is the top gainer 
among Swiss blue chips and midcaps, adding to strong gains the 
previous two days after saying it would not breach loan 
covenants. 
    Shares in midcap Oerlikon, which traded at over 400 Swiss 
francs less than a year ago, jump 10 percent to 30.60 francs, 
against a 0.5 percent fall in the Swiss midcap index. <.SMIM> 
    "The shares are continuing to rise after the company said it 
had fulfilled its debt terms," a trader says. The stock's still 
not worth that much, but the gains will have to stop some time." 
    Reuters Messaging rm://jason.rhodes.reuters.com@reuters.net 
    
     11:14GMT 06Mar2009-Bovis Homes down; Panmure expects write-downs 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in Bovis Homes  fall 1.2 percent ahead of its full-year 
results due out on Monday, with Panmure Gordon saying the outlook is bleak as 
far as writedowns and orders are concerned. 
    The broker says it expects Bovis to announce its first land write-downs as 
the market has now fallen far enough to make some sites unprofitable. 
    Panmure has factored in 60 million pounds of write downs in the 2008 
results, and 117 million pounds in 2009 and a further 88.5 million pounds for 
2010. 
    The broker questions whether the pick-up in trade Bovis' peers have seen in 
the past 4 to 6 weeks is genuine or just the usual spring bounce, and says, 
"forward orders will likely be down around 50 precent". 
    Reuters Messaging rm://david.brett.reuters.com@reuters.net 
         
    10:58GMT 06March2009-STRATEC Biomedical up; to hikes dividend 
    ------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in German biotech company STRATEC Biomedical  rise 10.7 
percent as one of the biggest gainers in Germany's stocks universe <.PG.DE>, 
after the company says it aims to propose a dividend increase of 59 percent to 
0.35 euros per share for 2008. 
    "It is definitely a surprise, but I think it is a positive surprise as it 
shows management's confidence in the company's business model," says WestLB 
analyst Simon Mather, with a "buy" rating on the stock. 
    For more double click on [nEQvvwegqi] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    10:51GMT 06March2009-SThree falls; demand slows; Panmure cuts ests 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Shares in staffing firm SThree  falls almost 5 percent after a 
trading update in which the group says it experienced an overall decline in 
demand for its services during the first quarter, particularly for permanent 
placements. 
    "With its Q1 performance worse than anticipated, we cut our 2009 and 2010 
EPS forecasts by a further 19 percent, although we maintain our target price of 
109 pence -- now based on 7 times 2009 EPS," Panmure Gordon says in a note. 
    The broker keeps its "sell" recommendation on the stock. 
    For more double click on [nWLA9077] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://tricia.wright.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    10:50GMT 06March2009-Takkt falls on negative 2009 statements 
    ------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Shares in German business-to-business mail order company Takkt  
drop 6.5 percent to the bottom of Frankfurt's smallcap index <.SDAXI> after the 
company says that a strong business decline in the fourth quarter of 2008 has 
continued in the beginning of 2009. 
    The company says that on the basis of the figures for the months of January 
and February, sales have declined organically by about 30 percent year-on-year. 
    "The market was prepared for bad news, but today's statement is worse than 
expected," says an analyst. 
    Takkt says it is implementing further measures to adjust capacities and 
costs such as short-time working. 
    For more double click on [nEQqetzplk] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
 
    10:48GMT 06Mar2009-Futura Medical falls after placing 
    ----------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in sexual health specialist Futura Medical  fall 11 percent to 
23 pence after the company announces that it will raise 1 million pounds by 
issuing 5 million shares at 20 pence per share. 
    Edison analyst Zhining Xu says the discount wasn't too bad given the market 
conditions. 
    To see the company statement please click on [nRnsF4326O], to see the 
article click on [nL6623425] 
    Reuters messaging rm://ben.deighton.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    10:26GMT 06March2009-Evotec soars; appoints new CEO 
    --------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in German biotech company Evotec  rise 14.8 percent, the 
second-highest gainer in Germany's stocks universe <.PG.DE>, after the company 
says it has appointed Werner Lanthaler as its new chief executive. 
    "After former CEO Joerg Aldag resigned in December, it was unclear how long 
it would take until the company finds a new one," says Oppenheim Research 
analyst Christian Peter. 
    "Mr Lanthaler has a good track record and is considered to be an expert in 
the field. All in all, this is a positive sign." 
    Lanthaler previously held the job of chief financial officer at biotech peer 
Intercell . 
    For more double click on [nWEA1029] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    10:23GMT 06Mar2009-Marshalls up; Numis ups to "add" post FYs 
    ------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Shares in Marshalls  rise 1.4 percent as Numis upgrades the British 
building materials company to "add" from "hold" after the company posts its 
full-year results, which the broker says are in line with its estimates. 
    Marshalls reports a 45 percent fall in full-year profits as delays and 
cancellations hit revenues which shrank 6 percent, and the company cut its final 
dividend to 6 pence as weakening demand clouded its 2009 outlook. 
    "We feel this is a creditable performance in light of the tough trading 
backdrop," says Numis in a note. 
    The broker says action taken by Marshalls -- cutting its dividend and 
improving cash management -- "should ensure that the group continues to 
outperform its peers and remain well placed for the eventual upturn". 
    For more double click on [nL6670328] 
    Reuters Messaging rm://david.brett.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    10:15 GMT 6Mar2009 - Lottomatica up as 2008 results please; UBS "buy" 
    --------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Italy's gaming company Lottomatica SpA  rises 3.3 percent after 
brokers gave a broadly positive reception to 2008 results and outlook late on 
Thursday. 
    Swiss bank UBS leaves its "buy" rating unchanged with a 26 euro price 
target. Deutsche Bank confirms its "buy" rating with a 16.5 euro target. Exane 
BNP Paribas reiterates its "underperform" with an 11.5 euros target. 
    "Despite the limited downside we maintain our 'underperform' rating due to 
the uncertain outlook, and in particular, to the upcoming tender on 
Scratch-and-Win," Exane said, noting potential competition for this Italian 
concession. 
     Lottomatica announced 2008 net profit below expectations because of one-off 
items, EBITDA above expectations, an unexpected dividend cut, and said there are 
positive signs in early 2009. 
    Reuters messaging rm://nigel.tutt.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
    10:13GMT 06March2009-Computacenter up ahead of FY; Panmure "buy" 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in IT firm Computacenter  add 1.9 percent ahead of full-year 
results, with Panmure Gordon saying the company's improving business model is 
acting as a foil against a poor PC demand environment. 
    "Computacenter is looking at a higher gross margin in Germany, better 
contract conditions in the UK, increasing server and attach sales, a de-layered 
management and a better configuration as a services company," Panmure says in a 
note, keeping its "buy" rating on the stock. 
    The broker says it expects results to be in line with the trading update 
from Jan. 13, and notes that Computacenter is poised to enter the FTSE 250 -- a 
decision to be made at the market close on March 10 -- which it says should 
create further interest in the shares. 
    Reuters Messaging rm://tricia.wright.reuters.com@reuters.net 
         
    10:11GMT 06March2009-KUKA drops after DZ Bank cuts fair value 
    ------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shares in German robotics maker KUKA  drop 4.3 percent on 
Frankfurt's midcap index <.MDAXI>, after DZ Bank cuts its fair value assessment 
on the company, citing poor overall economic conditions. 
    "As (a) systems supplier and car body supplier for the automobile industry, 
KUKA is in our opinion unlikely to be able to avoid the effects of the still 
difficult environment," DZ Bank writes, with a "sell" rating on the stock. 
    "Based on our earnings estimates which we have lowered once again, we derive 
a new fair value of 7 euros." 
    Reuters Messaging rm://christoph.steitz.reuters.com@reuters.net 
  
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