Talk Talk and Zoopla

“The FTSE 100 has retained a tight grip on early gains in trading, as positive sentiment from strong post-Brexit manufacturing data more than made up for the Donald Trump-induced losses recorded yesterday,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Stock markets are not known for their compassion, a fact demonstrated as investors flocked to buy into TalkTalk after the broadband and telecoms provider unceremoniously booted out chief executive Dido Harding. The firm’s 8% share price boost may be more to do with the arrival of former Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone, however, a man known as a dealmaker who may put the firm into play as a bid candidate. On the flip side, analysts warn the company’s 9.5% dividend yield could be under threat, with consensus forecasts predicting a 25% cut in the year to March 2018.

“Property listing website Zoopla, meanwhile, has consolidated gains made in early trading following the announcement of a deal to buy property information site Hometrack for £120m. Chief executive Andy Chesterton is intent on creating a one-stop-shop for consumers to ‘research, find and manage their homes’. Investors will hope the firm’s diversified approach – it also bought USwitch back in 2015, and owns PrimeLocation and Property Software Group – will enable it to continue its impressive share price rise and perhaps even overhaul property search giant Rightmove.”

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