Tuesday morning's trading update from fashion chain Next has been well received by the market but was not enough to convince broker Charles Stanley to change its neutral stance on the stock.

The recent rally in the share price has prompted Goldman Sachs to cut its rating on Primark owner and sugar group Associated British Foods.

Swiss bank UBS likes the look of the dividend yield on recruitment firm Hays.

The recent rally in the share price has prompted Goldman Sachs to cut its rating on Primark owner and sugar group Associated British Foods.

US bank Citigroup has upgraded its rating on building contractor Balfour Beatty on the expectation that the share price will play catch-up with sector peers Carillion and Interserve.

Retail giant Marks & Spencer is set for a dire Christmas trading period and could ring in the New Year with a profit warning, according to broker Seymour Pierce.

Broker Investec has taken a while digesting Cadbury's trading statement from last week and after crunching some numbers has decided to upgrade 2009 and 2010 earnings forecasts for the confectioner by 4%.

Retail giant Marks & Spencer is set for a dire Christmas trading period and could ring in the New Year with a profit warning, according to broker Seymour Pierce.

Defence and aerospace firm BAE Systems was flying high on Tuesday morning following an upbeat research note from Goldman Sachs.

The government bail-out of the Irish banks has not been enough to persuade broker Collins Stewart to rate the banks' shares worth buying on a fundamental basis, but it could cause a brief relief rally.

The government bail-out of the Irish banks has not been enough to persuade broker Collins Stewart to rate the banks' shares worth buying on a fundamental basis, but it could cause a brief relief rally.

The prospect of restaurateur Clapham House getting shot of its Tootsie's chain has whetted appetite for the company's shares.

Broker KBC Peel Hunt maintains its preference for Premier Farnell over Electrocomponents after the latter announced results on Monday.

With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday this year, we're likely to see a late surge in shopping for presents, but that may not be enough for retailers to regain lost sales, JP Morgan said as it cut target prices across the sector.

Contracts with hospitals should help shield Davis Service against volatility in the private sector, Seymour Pierce said as it kept its 'buy' recommendation on the laundry and workwear group.

Shares in mining companies took a knock Friday after UBS downgraded Anglo American, Xstrata and Antofagasta to 'neutral' from 'buy' on concerns over commodity prices.

With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday this year, we're likely to see a late surge in shopping for presents, but that may not be enough for retailers to regain lost sales, JP Morgan said as it cut target prices across the sector.