London open: FTSE pulls back from all-time high as mining stocks decline
13th Apr 2015 08:22
London's FTSE 100 retreated from a fresh record on Monday morning as investors took profits ahead of a busy week for global financial markets, with shares in the mining sector in particular under pressure. The Footsie was trading 0.24% lower at 7,072.78 early on after settling at a new all-time clos
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks near record highs as housebuilders rise
10th Apr 2015 08:33
UK stocks were on track to hit a new record on Friday, helped by strong gains in the housebuilding sector. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.46% at 7,047.39 shortly after the open. The index's previous closing high of 7,037.67 was set on 23 March, while the intraday record of 7,065.08 was set on 24 March.
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks surge 1.1% to two-week high on M&A, Greece
9th Apr 2015 17:15
London's FTSE 100 bounced to finish above the psychological 7,000 level for the first time in over two weeks on Thursday, helped by easing concerns about Greece and continued M&A speculation. The Footsie closed 77.95 points higher (+1.12%) at 7,015.36 with Burberry and Intercontinental Hotels Group
Read moreBroker tips: Anglo American, BHP Billiton, BG Group, Burberry, IHG
9th Apr 2015 12:24
Shares in UK listed mining giants BHP Billiton and Anglo American slumped on Thursday after two investment banks downgraded their ratings on both companies. Credit Suisse and Investec Securities both downgraded BHP Billiton with the former now at 'sell' versus 'hold' while the latter at 'underperfor
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks advance as M&A speculation boosts Burberry and IHG
9th Apr 2015 11:39
UK stocks advanced on Thursday despite some mixed economic data, as ongoing M&A speculation and easing concerns about Greece drove markets higher. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.76% at 6,989.91 by noon despite weakness in the heavyweight mining sector, as bid hopes boosted stocks such as Burberry and In
Read moreLondon open: Miners fall, but UK markets track US and Hong Kong stocks higher
9th Apr 2015 08:57
UK stocks advanced on Thursday morning following a decent performance on Wall Street and Hong Kong indices overnight. Reports that Greece will meet Thursday's deadline to pay back a €450m loan payment to the International Monetary Fund were also helping sentiment. "The payment has been scheduled and
Read moreBHP Billiton, Anglo American slump after two banks cut ratings
9th Apr 2015 08:20
Shares in UK listed mining giants BHP Billiton and Anglo American slumped 2.8% and 3.4% respectively after two investment banks Wednesday downgraded their ratings on both companies. Credit Suisse and Investec Securities both downgraded BHP Billiton with the former now at 'sell' versus 'hold' while t
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BG Group soars on Shell takeover, Sky gains on Vivendi rumours
8th Apr 2015 14:49
Shares in BG Group rocketed 32% on Wednesday after its board recommended a £47bn takeover offer from Shell. The bid values BG at around 1,350p per share, a 50% premium to its closing price of 910.4p on Tuesday. If the transaction completes, BG shareholders will be left with a 19% stake in the enlarg
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks surge on Fed rate-hike delay speculation
7th Apr 2015 08:42
UK stock markets were doing their best to play catch-up on Tuesday morning as investor risk appetite returned after the four-day weekend. London's FTSE 100 was up 1.15% at 6,911.92 in early trading. The Easter weekend has worked wonders for the markets, with the European indices looking reinvigorat
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: M&S surges on growth, miners lower
2nd Apr 2015 14:54
Marks & Spencer topped the risers as it delivered its first growth from clothing and general merchandise (GM) for 14 quarters, with like-for-like sales unexpectedly rising 0.7% in both clothing and food. The market had been expecting GM sales to fall and food to be flattish. Imperial Tobacco continu
Read moreLondon midday: Retail stocks buoy markets led by M&S, but upside limited
2nd Apr 2015 12:01
London's stocks edged higher on Thursday ahead of the long weekend, helped in no small part by strong gains in the retail sector. However, gains were only modest as developments in Greece and uncertainty ahead of a live political debate in the UK weighed on sentiment. Meanwhile, mining stocks weaken
Read moreSector Movers: Consumables lead FTSE 100 higher on a dire day for miners
2nd Apr 2015 11:45
Consumables related stocks kept the FTSE 100 firmly in the green on Thursday as miners endured a pummelling from investors. At 15:50 the FTSE 100 was trading up 0.38% or 25.69 points at 6835.19 led higher by food and beverage stocks. Coca Cola HBC (up 3.85%) and Marks & Spencer (up 3.68%) topped the
Read moreJPMorgan cuts mining forecasts on further demand weakness in Q2
1st Apr 2015 10:01
JPMorgan Cazenove has reduced target prices across the UK mining sector after lowering its commodity forecasts, predicting further demand weakness in the second quarter. The demand for base metals in China was weaker than predicted in January and the robust pick-up post Chinese New Year that many ha
Read moreLondon close: FTSE plunges 1.7% as investors take profits ahead of quarter-end
31st Mar 2015 16:31
Sharp falls from mining and tobacco stocks sent the FTSE 100 to its lowest close in two and a half weeks on Tuesday as investors used some weak economic data as an excuse to rebalance their books before the quarter-end. After briefly trading in the green early on, the Footsie finished had plunged 1.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher surges as French acquisition falls through, miners higher
30th Mar 2015 13:29
Kingfisher surged after revealing its deal to acquire French rival Mr Bricolage will not go ahead as a result of shareholder and board opposition to the terms of the deal. Some Mr Bricolage franchisees are thought to fear the store closures that would be necessary for Kingfisher to win regulatory ap
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