London close: Energy stocks lift markets ahead of Budget, as investors await Fed
17th Mar 2015 16:32
After dipping into the red around midday, UK stocks rallied into the close with the FTSE 100 finishing 0.5% higher on the back of decent gains in the oil sector ahead of Wednesday's Budget statement. Rumours about potential tax breaks for North Sea oil and gas producers were providing energy stocks
Read moreLondon midday: Energy stocks rise but FTSE pares gains ahead of Fed meeting
17th Mar 2015 11:39
Stocks in the oil and mining sectors were performing well on Tuesday morning, though gains for the wider market were erased by lunchtime as investors awaited the start of a Federal Reserve policy meeting. Weaker-than-expected economic data from Germany was also dampening sentiment, as European marke
Read moreLondon open: Sainsbury's and mining stocks bolster markets ahead of Fed
17th Mar 2015 08:49
UK stocks rose for the second straight day on Tuesday, helped by a strong performance on Asian markets overnight, ahead of the start of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting. The FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 6,839.30 early on, helped by decent gains from a host of stocks in the mining and energy s
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks seen flat as investors await Fed meeting
17th Mar 2015 07:45
UK stocks are expected to open unchanged on Tuesday after a strong rally the previous session, as investors turn cautious ahead of a much-anticipated Federal Reserve meeting. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open more or less flat on Monday's close of 6,804.08. The Fed will kick off its two-d
Read moreAntofagasta warns of Los Pelambres "uncertainty" as profits sink more than expected
17th Mar 2015 06:48
Profits at copper miner Antofagasta sank more than expected in 2014 as lower production and weaker commodity prices were met with higher costs, prompting the company to slash its dividend by 77.4%. The company did not address recent rumours that it may have to close its flagship Los Pelambres projec
Read moreLondon close: Stocks jump on central bank stimulus
16th Mar 2015 16:45
Strong gains from in the retail sector outweighed falls from energy stocks on Monday, as UK equities recovered strongly after their worst weekly performance so far this year. The FTSE 100 finished the session up 0.94% at 6,804.08 after dropping 2.5% last week. Despite the strong gains, oil and gas
Read moreTuesday preview: Antofagasta full-year results, Sainsbury trading update
16th Mar 2015 15:13
Antofagasta will report its 2014 financial results on Tuesday though the focus will likely be on reports the copper miner is reviewing the financial viability of its Chilean operation. President Diego Hernandez said the company is unable to guarantee its embattled Los Pelambres mine will continue to
Read moreLondon midday: China stimulus hopes help markets rebound
16th Mar 2015 11:43
Bargain hunting and hopes for stimulus measures in China gave UK stocks a lift on Monday, as investors readied for a busy week for financial markets worldwide. The FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 6,776.87 by midday. The Footsie had lost 2.5% over the past five sessions on the back of a strengthening US dol
Read moreAntofagasta warns it could close copper mine in Chile
16th Mar 2015 09:03
Mining giant Antofagasta said it might have to close its Los Pelambres mine in Chile. Earlier in March, the mine, which produced around 405,000 tonnes of copper last year, was dealt a blow by a court ruling in favour of protesters from the local communities, who claimed the mine was affecting water
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rebound after sell-off as markets eye Fed meeting
16th Mar 2015 08:30
UK stocks gained on Monday as investors hunted for bargains following a sharp slide in the value of the FTSE 100 over the last week. Ahead of a busy week for financial markets worldwide, the Footsie was up 0.4% at 6,767.46 early on. The index had lost 2.5% over the past five sessions on the back of
Read moreLondon close: Gains pared but markets buoyed by pharma, beverage stocks
12th Mar 2015 16:42
UK stocks were off their highest levels of the day by the close on Thursday as mining shares erased earlier gains, though strong performances from pharma and beverage groups provided some support, as well as M&A in the banking sector. The FTSE 100 finished the session up 39.56 points (+0.6%) at 6,76
Read moreLondon midday: Commodity rebound boosts markets, TSB surges on M&A
12th Mar 2015 11:59
Strong gains from mining and oil stocks and M&A activity in the banking sector gave UK markets a big lift on Thursday morning, with the FTSE 100 trading nearly 1% higher by lunchtime. Resource shares were on the rise as commodity prices rebounded after recent falls, while positive Chinese bank lendi
Read moreLondon open: Mining stocks lift FTSE but Morrisons slumps after results
12th Mar 2015 09:05
A rebound in the mining sector pushed UK markets higher for a second day on Thursday as stocks continue to recover after a steep sell-off earlier in the week. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.75% at 6,771.66 in early deals with metal producers rising strongly after stronger-than-expected Chinese lending d
Read moreLondon pre-open: Small gains expected, Morrisons reports £0.8bn loss
12th Mar 2015 07:40
UK markets were set to open slightly higher on Thursday ahead of a busy day for economic data. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open 18 points up on Wednesday's close of 6,721.51. Investors will be looking out for a barrage of economic indicators during the session, whilst keeping their eyes
Read moreAntofagasta settles dispute with Los Pelambres locals, but output reduced by 8kt
12th Mar 2015 07:06
Antofagasta has reached an agreement to resolve a two-week-long protest that hit production at its flagship Los Pelambres copper project in Chile. The company said it expected normal operations to be resumed in the coming days, but admitted that the industrial action resulted in 8,000 tonnes of lost
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