Sunday newspaper round-up: Lloyds, BT, Standard Chartered
1st Feb 2015 13:33
Lloyds Banking Group is preparing to pay a dividend for the first time since it was bailed out by taxpayers, the Sunday Telegraph reported. The board will sign off the group's annual results and then ask the Bank of England permission to pay a dividend before announcing results on February 27th. Llo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BT damaged by pension deficit worries, miners trading higher
30th Jan 2015 13:58
Telecoms giant BT declined despite beating analysts forecasts with a solid rise in profits in its third quarter, as it announced a new 16-year "recovery plan" to pay down its expanding pension deficit, which now stands at £7bn. The company also revealed that it would upgrade its fibre network with l
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Experian boosted by new growth strategy, Anglo disappoints with 2015 guidance
28th Jan 2015 13:35
Credit-checking firm Experian was a high riser after unveiling an unexpected $600m share buyback and outlining plans to "deliver annual average growth in organic revenue in the mid-single digit range". The company also said it has the potential for "strong growth" in earnings per share. Copper miner
Read moreBroker tips: Experian, Balfour Beatty, Anglo American, Afren
28th Jan 2015 12:40
Broker Liberum reiterated its 'buy' rating on Experian after the information services firm announced an unexpected £394.7m buyback, which amounts to 5% of its stock. "Experian's sustainable superior cash generation remains a key strength," Liberum said. UBS has lifted its target price for Balfour B
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase gains as Greek fears rattle markets
28th Jan 2015 11:47
After a positive start, UK stocks had dropped into the red by Wednesday lunchtime with nerves surrounding Greek politics dampening sentiment, as investors awaited a policy decision later on by the US central bank. London's FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 6,797 by midday, pulling back after reaching an int
Read moreShore Capital expects 'negative reaction' after Anglo American's Q4 output declines
28th Jan 2015 11:21
Broker Shore Capital said it expected a "negative market reaction" after mining giant Anglo American reported a decline in output in the fourth quarter. The London-based group said reported fourth-quarter drops in the production of iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper and nickel, while thermal coal
Read moreAnglo American production declines and impairments planned
28th Jan 2015 09:21
Production in the fourth quarter generally declined at Anglo American as the mining giant warned that crumbling commodity prices would lead to impairment charges in its full year results. Compared to the previous quarter, the London-based group's fourth quarter saw falls in the production of iron or
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks rise ahead of FOMC meeting
28th Jan 2015 08:26
Strong results from US blue chips Apple and Yahoo after the closing bell on Wall Street led to a higher open in London on Wednesday, as investors took an optimistic approach ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting. The FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 6,827 in early deals. US markets finished with sharp losses
Read moreLondon close: Stocks at highest since September on ECB optimism, upbeat data
23rd Jan 2015 17:08
UK stocks pushed higher on Friday, finishing at levels not seen in over four months, lifted by improving economic data and continued optimism surrounding a massive bond-buying plan by the European Central Bank (ECB). The FTSE 100 settled up 0.5% at 6,832.83 by the end of the session despite heavy fa
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks extend post-ECB rally as UK retail data beats forecasts
23rd Jan 2015 11:29
UK stocks were up on Friday morning after data showed an unexpected rise in retail sales, though gains were modest with markets already trading at a four-month high following a €1.1trn stimulus plan in Europe. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 6,812 by midday, after finishing the previous session at
Read moreLondon open: Stocks extend rally post ECB, but mining shares fall
23rd Jan 2015 09:14
UK stocks were extending gains on Friday morning despite weakness in the mining sector, as sentiment continued to be boosted by the announcement of a €1.1trn stimulus package in the Eurozone. The FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 6,832 early on after finishing the previous session at 6,796.60, its best finish
Read moreSector movers: ECB stimulus gives mining stocks a lift, gold rises
22nd Jan 2015 14:36
Confirmation of a massive bond-buying programme by the European Central Bank (ECB) was well-received by the market on Thursday, with mining stocks among the best performers as shares benefited from an increase in risk appetite. The ECB unveiled a quantitative easing programme totalling €1.1trn, with
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks settle at 2015 high as market awaits ECB decision
19th Jan 2015 16:32
London's FTSE 100 eked out a gain of 0.5% on Monday in the absence of US trading, as investors took advantage of a quiet news day to push stocks to their highest levels of the year The Footsie finished 35.26 points higher at 6,585.53, its best finish since 29 December 2014 when it settled at 6,633.5
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners lower on funding fears, Dixons boosted by Christmas trading optimism
19th Jan 2015 14:00
Dixons Carphone topped the risers after analysts expressed optimism about the upcoming Christmas trading results on Wednesday. Estimates sit at a 5% increase in like-for-like sales, as published in Sunday papers including the Sunday Express and the Mail on Sunday. Travis Perkins was also trading
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise ahead of busy week with ECB in focus
19th Jan 2015 08:38
UK stocks rose on Monday morning ahead of a busy week, as investors shrugged off a sell-off on Chinese markets overnight. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 6,577 in early deals. Stocks in Shanghai plunged 8% on Monday with shares in the financial sectors faring the worst after securities regulators
Read more