LONDON -- Yesterday morning, Britain's bombed-out banking sector was in demand with the retail clients of stockbroker TD Direct Investing. Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group
Why? Spanish banking stress tests and bullish American data had a bearing, to be sure, but probably the biggest impact on demand was the news that analysts at Liberum Capital had placed a "buy" recommendation on all three, tipping Lloyds with a target price of 45 pence, up from today's opening price of 40 pence. Throw in last week's good news from the Bank of England -- a 22 billion pound lending facility for Lloyds -- and investors' enthusiasm becomes understandable.
Next up: Scancell Holdings
That said, the shares are up 750% (yes, you read that right) this year, so investors will need to be confident that enough upside remains. Me? I like my pharmaceutical treatments -- and dividends -- delivered by FTSE 100 stalwart GlaxoSmithKline, thanks.
Last up: Gulf Keystone Petroleum
The 10th-most bought share by TD Direct Investing's retail clients this morning, Gulf Keystone continues to benefit from positive news flow -- most recently, last month's announcement regarding the submission of its Shaikan field development plan to the Kurdistan authorities by the end of January 2013 and the intended move from AIM to London's main market.
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