It’s been a busy week for investors of UK shares, with numerous earnings announcements from industry leaders to be digested. Morningstar has also been analysing the numbers and below you’ll find links to our analysts’ independent opinions on 12 of the largest companies listed on the FTSE 100. Click a company name to read the research on that stock, or a company ticker to view share price and fundamental data.
Please remember that Morningstar research is a Premium feature—please sign in to your Premium account to read research, or take a free 14-day trial.
ARM Holdings
After two strong years of revenue growth, we project 15% top-line growth in 2012, thanks to ARM Holding’s (ARM) higher licensing fees and ongoing royalties from a variety of chipmakers and technology firms.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (AZN) reported mixed second-quarter results that fell below our projections and consensus expectations on the top line, but above bottom-line expectations as a tax benefit helped earnings.
BG Group
BG Group’s (BG.) longer-term outlook remains intact despite some near-term bumps.
British American Tobacco
Despite flat cigarette volumes during the first half of 2012, British American Tobacco (BATS) managed to grow its adjusted earnings per share by 7% and increase its interim dividend 11% to 42.2p.
BSkyB
British Sky Broadcasting (BSY) reported mixed fiscal-year 2012 results that belied strong margin improvement.
BT Group
BT (BT.A) reported weak first-quarter results as its Global Services Division is hurt by European economic problems, but the firm still improved its EBITDA margin.
Centrica
We are reaffirming our fair value estimate following strong first-half 2012 results and the announcement that Centrica (CNA) is moving forward with the £1.4 billion Cygnus project.
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported weak second-quarter results that fell short of our expectations as well as consensus estimates.
Imperial Tobacco
Emerging markets and non-cigarette products continue to aid Imperial Tobacco's (IMT) performance.
Lloyds Banking Group
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) lost £676 million in the first half (1p per share) after taking an additional £1,075 million provision against charges that the bank mis-sold payment protection insurance. Underlying results were also disappointing, as the difficult economic environment continued to take a toll on Lloyds.
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) reported second-quarter results, and results were largely in line with our expectations, although profits were a bit lower than we anticipated due to lower non-production revenues in the company's upstream segment.
Unilever
Unilever's (ULVR) first-half results, reported this morning, suggest that investments behind product innovation, marketing support and cost savings initiatives are bearing fruit.