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Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Why Barclays Is Up 43% Since This Time Last Year

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By Douglas Adams, The Motley Fool

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LONDON — Barclays   has advanced 34% to 299 pence during the last 12 months, making the share one of the best performers in the FTSE 100.

The bank, which operates in more than 50 countries with nearly 150,000 employees, seems to have impressed investors with a series of encouraging statements.

During July, Barclays announced half-year results for 2012 that showed adjusted profits before tax gaining 13% to 4.2 billion pounds alongside an adjusted return on average shareholder equity of 9.9%.

The half-year results also revealed what the bank called a “resilient” Tier 1 capital ratio of 10.9%, down from 11% at at December 2011.

During October, Barclays’ third-quarter statement revealed a further improvement to adjusted profits before tax, which were up 18% to almost 6 billion pounds, as well as a 4% reduction in operating expenses to less than 14 billion pounds.

Then in January, Barclays’ full-year statement revealed a rise for both basic earnings per share and dividends per share, at a rate of 24.5% to 34.5 pence, and 8.3% to 6.5 pence, respectively.

Antony Jenkins, Chief Executive for Barclays, said:

We committed last year to a journey to bring down our compensation ratio and have made good progress this year, with the Group compensation to net income ratio declining to 38% (2011: 42%). While this is progress, not the destination, we believe a ratio in the mid-30s is a sustainable position in the medium term which will ensure that we can continue to pay our people competitively for performance while also enabling us to deliver a greater share of the income we generate to shareholders.

Jenkins affirmed that, under his leadership, Barclays would become the “Go-To bank” for shareholders by building a culture embedded with five core values: respect, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship.

Barclays’ first-quarter update for 2013 will be published on 24 April, which may reveal further positive news that can encourage investors.

If you already own Barclays shares and are looking for additional blue-chip winners, this exclusive wealth report reviews five particularly attractive FTSE possibilities.

Indeed, all five suggestions offer a mix of robust prospects, illustrious histories and dependable dividends, and have just been declared by the Fool as “5 Shares You Can Retire On!”

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The article Why Barclays Is Up 43% Since This Time Last Year originally appeared on Fool.com.

Douglas does not own any share mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/15/why-barclays-is-up-43-since-this-time-last-year/

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Why HSBC Holdings Is Up 29% During the Last 12 Months

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By Douglas Adams, The Motley Fool

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LONDON — HSBC   has advanced 29% to 682 pence during the last 12 months, making the share one of the best performers in the FTSE 100.

The bank, which boasts 7,200 offices in more than 80 countries, seems to have impressed investors with a series of confident statements.

During July, HSBC announced half-year results for 2012 that showed core profits slip 3% to $10.6bn. The group added that its return on average shareholders’ equity during the six months was 10.5% and admitted it had earmarked $1.3bn to compensate U.K. customers that were mis-sold payment protection insurance.

During November, HSBC‘s third-quarter statement revealed adjusted profits had surged 125% to $5bn, and cost savings had reached $3.1bn to exceed the bank’s expectations. However, the results also showed an additional $800m provision relating to a money-laundering investigation in the States.

Then in March, HSBC disclosed full-year results that showed underlying profits up 18% to $18.4bn and an annual dividend up 10% to $0.45 per share. The bank also revealed its first three quarterly dividends of 2013 would be raised 11%.

Douglas Flint, HSBC‘s chairman, said at the time:

2012 was a year of considerable progress in delivering on the strategic priorities which the Board has tasked management to address. Our decision to focus on reshaping the Group through targeted disposals and closures and internal reorganisation is paying dividends.

Flint also referred to the bank’s position as one of the FTSE 100’s highest dividend payers.

HSBC‘s first-quarter update will be published on 7 May, which may reveal further positive news that can impress investors.

If you already own HSBC shares and are looking for additional blue-chip winners, this exclusive wealth report reviews five particularly attractive FTSE possibilities.

Indeed, all five suggestions offer a mix of robust prospects, illustrious histories and dependable dividends, and have just been declared by the Fool as “5 Shares You Can Retire On”!

Just click here for the report — it’s free.

The article Why HSBC Holdings Is Up 29% During the Last 12 Months originally appeared on Fool.com.

Douglas does not own any share mentioned in this article.
 The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Why Unilever Is Up 38% During the Last 12 Months

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By Douglas Adams, The Motley Fool

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LONDON — Unilever  has advanced 38% to 2,736 pence during the last 12 months, making the share one of the best performers in the FTSE 100.

The company, which is the force behind 400 popular brands, including Lynx deodorant,Cornetto ice cream, and Domestos bleach, seems to have impressed investors with a series of encouraging statements.

During July, Unilever announced half-year results for 2012 that highlighted an 11.5% rise in turnover, bringing the figure to 25.4 billion euros, as well as an increase in core earnings per share of 6%, to 0.76 euros. However, net profit was also up, at 2.4 billion euros, but by a smaller rate of 1%.

During October, Unilever’s third-quarter statement revealed turnover had climbed by 10% to 13 billion euros and underlying volume growth was ahead of the market at 3.4%. Also revealed in the statement was the company’s underlying sales growth of 5.9%.

Then in January, Unilever disclosed full-year results that revealed core earnings per share up by 11% to 1.57 euros. The company also revealed fourth-quarter underlying sales growth of 8% and boasted free cash flow had reached 4.3 billion euros.

Paul Polman, Unilever’s chief executive, said at the time:

We continue to make good progress in transforming Unilever into a sustainable growth company. We have reported another quarter of good quality, profitable growth ahead of our markets. All categories and all geographies grew with a good overall balance between volume and price. Emerging markets again contributed double-digit growth helping us exceed 50 billion euro turnover, an important milestone in our journey to double the size of Unilever from 40 [billion] to 80 billion euros while reducing our environmental impact. 

 Polman also highlighted the introduction of Magnum and Sunsilk to Unilever’s roster of 1-billion-euro brands, which now stand at 14.

Unilever’s first-quarter update for 2013 will be published on April 25, which may reveal further positive news that can encourage investors.

If you already own Unilever shares and are looking for additional blue chip winners, this exclusive wealth report reviews five particularly attractive FTSE possibilities.

Indeed, all five suggestions offer a mix of robust prospects, illustrious histories and dependable dividends, and have just been declared by the Fool as “5 Shares You Can Retire On”!

Just click here for the report — it’s free.

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The article Why Unilever Is Up 38% During the Last 12 Months originally appeared on Fool.com.


Douglas Adams does not own any share mentioned in this article. The Motley Fool recommends Unilever and Unilever. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Articles of Interest

Video: Were Saudis Behind Benghazi Attack?

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By Kris Zane

The hacker known as Guccifer first came to prominence in February after breaching the AOL email account of Dorothy Bush Koch, the sister of George W. Bush. Guccifer released photos of Bush’s amateurish oil paintings and details regarding the ailing elder Bush. The mainstream media idiotically focused on Bush’s prowess as an artist rather than the fact that the public was being offered a glimpse into the secret world of the elite that pull the levers in American society and the world.

Guccifer’s real treasure, however, came in the form of a series of emails hacked from the AOL account of former Bill Clinton aide Sidney Blumenthal to then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The emails are significant because there is one dated September 12, 2012, which of course was the day after the attack on the Benghazi consulate. Blumenthal cites a number of what can only be called spies throughout the world in order to supply Clinton with a clear picture of current events.

Some jaw-dropping revelations are revealed in the September 12 email, involving the Muslim Brotherhood and the CIA.

First, on the day of the attack on the Benghazi consulate, Libyan President  Mohammed Yussef el Magariaf summoned his advisors to discuss the attack, among them members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Per the email:

During the afternoon of September 11, 2012 new interim President of Libya Mohammed Yussef el Magariaf spoke in private with senior advisors, including the members of the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, to discuss the attacks by demonstrators on U.S. missions in Tripoli and Benghazi.

Second, the attack on the Benghazi consulate was in part due to revenge for the CIA supporting the Qaddafi regime.

Third, when Qaddafi was overthrown, the rebels found a treasure trove of documents linking the CIA to the Qaddafi regime.

Again, continuing with the September 12, 2012 email:

At the same time, this individual noted that several of el Magariaf’s advisors share his concerns in this matter, pointing out that the return of Qaddafi’s intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi for trial in Libya has heightened public interest in the liaison relationships conducted by the CIA and British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) with Qaddafi’s intelligence and security services. These same individuals note that they believe Islamist militia forces under the command of General Abdelhakim Belhaj captured files and documents describing this relationship from Qaddafi’s offices in Tripoli.

By February 13, 2013, Blumenthal had discounted the ludicrous “protest turned violent” story regarding the attack on the Benghazi consulate. It was clear according to his sources that it was a terrorist attack by the group Ansar al-Sharia, of which Hillary Clinton early on publicly stated was untrue, despite the al-Qaeda-linked group taking credit for the attack, and despite the fact that this information was sent to the White House Situation Room hours after the attack on the consulate.

According to Blumenthal’s February 16, 2013 email to Clinton, the Benghazi attack was well-planned and well-funded by Saudi billionaires:

The attack…originated with wealthy Sunni Islamists in Saudi Arabia. During July and …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Western Journalism