London close: FTSE 100 hits new highs
21st Dec 2010 16:36
The leading share index closed just off its highest levels since the first half of 2008, before the global economic crash, after banks and miners led another day of gains. With copper prices at a record in London on hopes that strength in the US will help sustain global economic growth, miners such
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still going strong
21st Dec 2010 15:12
Footsie is still going strong after a decent start on Wall Street. The 6,000 point mark - not seen since the first half of 2008 - is in sight. With copper prices at a record in London on hopes that strength in the US will help sustain global economic growth, miners such as India's Vedanta and Mexic
Read moreLondon midday: Banks and miners buoy Footsie
21st Dec 2010 12:08
The FTSE 100 remains well above the 5,900 mark, with miners and banks moving higher in tandem once again. With copper prices at a record in London on hopes that strength in the US will help sustain global economic growth, miners such as India's Vedanta and Mexican silver specialist Fresnillo are go
Read moreLondon open: Footsie at 30-month high
21st Dec 2010 08:53
London has hit a new 30-month high on a partial recovery on Wall Street overnight and strong performance in Asia this morning. Banks are leading the way, with good gains for Barclays, RBS and Lloyds this morning. Reports, since played down, that Business secretary Vince Cable could walk away from t
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie targets new 2½-year high
21st Dec 2010 07:40
A partial recovery on Wall Street overnight and strong performance in Asia this morning looks like it could send London to fresh 2½-year highs early on. Indications are for the FTSE 100 to start almost 30 points higher, taking the FTSE 100 to its highest since the middle of 2008. In company news,
Read moreAstraZeneca abandons motavizumab
21st Dec 2010 07:05
AstraZeneca is to stop all development work on its fledgling respiratory drug motavizumab, resulting in a $445m impairment charge this quarter. Astra had already flagged up this possibility and has been considering the future of motavizumab since August when the US Food and Drug Administration aske
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 17:03
Shares failed to haul themselves into the blue on a busy day's trading, as worries over the Irish economy spooked banking stocks. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Lloyd
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downbeat banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 15:05
Shares remain uncertain as the weekend approaches, with banks holding the leading share index back amid continuing eurozone worries. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Me
Read moreBroker tips: AstraZeneca, Aggreko, Punch
17th Dec 2010 15:05
Panmure Gordon views AstraZeneca's latest setback as a significant buying opportunity, sticking with its forecasts and 'buy' recommendation. The drugs giant was issued with a response from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requesting additional analysis of data on Brilinta, causing a delay fo
Read moreSector Movers: Astra drags down pharma sector
17th Dec 2010 14:57
The pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector is the weakest sector Friday afternoon with AstraZeneca among the biggest fallers. AstraZeneca has tumbled after it suffered another delay in getting US approval for its potential blockbuster blood-thinning drug Brilinta after the US Food and Drug Admini
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca disappointment
17th Dec 2010 12:58
AstraZeneca is the worst performer in the Footsie because the FDA has asked for more information about blood-thinning drug Brilinta. This represents a further delay is getting US approval for Brilinta. Gloomy comments by the Bank of England about potential bad debt provisions hit Royal Bank of Sco
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks retreat
17th Dec 2010 12:49
The leading index broke above 5,900 for a short time, but now finds itself stuck in the red as AstraZeneca and the banks offset gains in the property sector. The Bank of England has warned of more bad debt provisions for the banks and also expressed serious concerns for the bond markets if yields c
Read moreTechMARK movers: AstraZeneca blockbuster drug approval delayed
17th Dec 2010 12:22
AstraZeneca has slumped on the back of a further delay is getting US approval for blood-thinning drug Brilinta. The US Food and Drug Administration requested additional analysis of the data from a study of the effects of Brilinta (ticagrelor) on 18,600 patients in 43 countries compared with its mai
Read moreBroker snap: Astra's Brilinta setback shouldn't deter
17th Dec 2010 11:39
Panmure Gordon views AstraZeneca's latest setback as a significant buying opportunity, sticking with its forecasts and 'buy' recommendation. The drugs giant was issued with a response from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requesting additional analysis of data on Brilinta, causing a delay fo
Read moreLondon open: Flat start for blue chips
17th Dec 2010 08:43
London has started slowly despite the late gains on Wall Street overnight with some gloomy comments from the Bank of England unsettling the mood. The Bank warned of more bad debt provisions for the banks and also expressed serious concerns for the bond markets if yields continued to rise. Lloyds an
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