London pre-open: Flat start expected
28th Mar 2011 07:35
A revival of nuclear fall-out fears in Tokyo has put a cap on optimism at the start of the trading week in London and shares are expected to open mixed, with the FTSE 100 tipped to open aroun 5 points up from its previous close of 5,901. Tullow Oil has found oil at the Teak-2 exploration well in th
Read moreAstra settlement removes overhang
28th Mar 2011 07:06
A 13-year tax wrangle between the US and the UK involving drugs giant AstraZeneca has been resolved, resulting in a substantially lower tax rate for Astra in the current financial year. The two governments have agreed to the terms of an Advance Pricing Agreement regarding transfer pricing arrangeme
Read moreSkyepharma ends production of PULMICORT
7th Mar 2011 16:13
The share price recovery of Skyepharma was brought to an abrupt halt Monday as the company said it is to stop production of its PULMICORT pressurised metered dose inhaler due to complex manufacturing issues related to technical aspects of the device. The device will remain on sale until existing
Read moreTechMARK movers: AstraZeneca drops SkyePharma product
7th Mar 2011 12:04
Shares in drug discovery company SkyePharma have slumped following news that AstraZeneca has decided to stop production of one of its drugs using SkyePharma's drug delivery technology. There were manufacturing problems because of technical aspects of the PULMICORT (budesonide) 100 and 200 µg/dose
Read moreBroker tips: Astra, ITV, Next
2nd Mar 2011 13:14
UBS has downgraded pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca as broker believes the scope for outperformance over a 12-month time frame has been reduced. UBS has shifted from a "buy" rating to "neutral", now that the market has taken account of higher expected returns from Crestor, Astra's cholesterol treat
Read moreBroker snap: Glaxo preferred to Astra
2nd Mar 2011 12:30
UBS has downgraded pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca as the broker believes the scope for outperformance over a 12-month time frame has been reduced. UBS has shifted from a "buy" rating to "neutral", now that the market has taken account of higher expected returns from Crestor, Astra's cholesterol t
Read moreLondon close: Good gains for FTSE 100
7th Feb 2011 16:40
Shares held onto their gains after a decent start on Wall Street to close well in advance of 6,000 points. Gold miner Randgold Resources is wanted after it shrugged off operational and political setbacks in 2010 to post a sharp increase in profit, helped by the increase in the price of gold. Profi
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains pared
7th Feb 2011 14:19
Leading shares saw gains trimmed over the lunch time session but the Footsie remains comfortably in positive territory, due in no small part to the strength of mining stocks, Gold miner Randgold Resources is wanted after it shrugged off operational and political setbacks in 2010 to post a sharp in
Read moreLondon midday: Miners push FTSE 100 past 6,000
7th Feb 2011 12:04
Strength in the miner sector has helped lift the FTSE 100 well above 6,000 points. Gold miner Randgold Resources as among the best performers after it shrugged off operational and political setbacks in 2010 to post a sharp increase in profit, helped by the increase in the price of gold. Profit befo
Read moreLondon open: Footsie through 6,000 again
7th Feb 2011 08:53
After an uncertain start, Footsie has now pushed on through the 6,000 barrier as miners rally from some early profit taking. Gold miner Randgold Resources shrugged off operational and political setbacks in 2010 to post a sharp increase in profit, helped by the increase in the price of gold. Profi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Renewed assault on 6,000
7th Feb 2011 07:38
Footsie looks set to have another crack at breaking through the 6,000 barrier with City traders predicting the blue-chip index will open around 12 points firmer at 6,009. AstraZeneca's run of disappointing drug development results has continued with the early end to a trial of prostate cancer treat
Read moreAnother failure for AstraZeneca
7th Feb 2011 07:05
AstraZeneca's run of disappointing drug development results has continued with the early end to a trial of prostate cancer treatment zibotentan. The advanced trial on the drug's impact on men with non-metastatic, castrate resistant prostate cancer has been scrapped after the early results showed it
Read moreLondon close: No US jobs lift for FTSE 100
4th Feb 2011 16:40
The top share index finished the week just below 6,000 points after a sluggish day's trading. Traders were unsure how to react to US jobs data. Nonfarm payrolls rose just 36,000 last month, the Labor Department said Friday, well below forecasts of at least 140,000. On the bright side, December's nu
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie recovers from US jobs jolt
4th Feb 2011 14:40
The Footsie kept its head above 6,000 over the lunchtime period despite a negative reaction to US jobless figures at 1:30. Nonfarm payrolls rose just 36,000 last month, the Labor Department said Friday, well below forecasts of at least 140,000. On the bright side, December's number was revised up t
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Utilities strengthen
4th Feb 2011 13:35
Utilities dominate the risers in the Footsie. Severn Trent, United Utilities and the newly enlarged International Power head the risers. BT Group continues to strengthen after yesterday's third quarter figures. International Consolidated Airlines continues to fall. The share price has fallen b
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