Broker snap: Price hikes to boost Shire's earnings (ShareCast via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)

Broker Charles Stanley is keeping its 'accumulate' recommendation on Shire Pharmaceuticals, even though the stock is close to its 52-week high.

Secretary of State Rice to meet Arab, European ministers in New York to broker Gaza cease-fire (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to New York and the United Nations on Tuesday in a bid to broker a sustainable cease-fire as soon as possible to end the crisis in Gaza.

Broker tips: Next, Debenhams, Johnson Matthey (ShareCast via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)

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.

Broker snap: Debt still a worry at Debenhams (ShareCast via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)

The Christmas trading update from Debenhams was a pleasant surprise, but broker KBC Peel Hunt still has concerns about the department store chain's debt position.

Broker snap: Black's boardwear U-turn applauded (ShareCast via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)

Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Blacks Leisure's performance is being held back by problems at its boardwear division, which saw like-for-like sales slide 19.2% in the 18 weeks to 3 January.