London midday: IHG, Lloyds lead markets high post European elections
27th May 2014 11:36
- FTSE 100 catches up after long weekend - Euroscepticism tempered by elections results in Italy, Greece - IHG gains on bid interest - Lloyds to float TSB division - Pfizer walks away from AstraZeneca proposal techMARK 2,788.40 +1.10% FTSE 100 6,849.22 +0.49% FTSE 250 15,836.22 +0.83% UK stocks po
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks rise after European elections, IHG jumps
27th May 2014 08:29
- Eurosceptism tempered by strong election results in Italy, Greece - FTSE 100 tracks gains made in Europe on Monday - IHG rises strongly on takeover rumours - Lloyds to float TSB - Pfizer walks away from AstraZeneca techMARK 2,779.89 +0.79% FTSE 100 6,830.41 +0.22% FTSE 250 15,824.59 +0.75% UK st
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to play catch up after strong gains in Europe
27th May 2014 07:31
The UK stock market is expected to open strongly on Tuesday morning as traders return to their desks in a bullish mood following an impressive performance on European bourses the day before. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 24 points higher than Friday's close of 6,815.75. While
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: TSB, Ukraine, Mario Draghi
27th May 2014 07:27
TSB will today attempt to sweeten the pill of a three-year dividend blackout by offering free loyalty shares to retail investors. Lloyds Banking Group will promise one free TSB share for every 20 bought and held for a year by retail investors as it formally sets out the intention to float announceme
Read moreAstraZeneca upbeat about 'independent' future as Pfizer walks away
27th May 2014 07:11
AstraZeneca has hailed its future as an "independent company" after US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer withdrew its takeover bid for the Anglo-Swedish group. Following continued rejections from AstraZeneca's board, Pfizer said on Monday that it "does not intend to make an offer". Pfizer had until May
Read morePfizer withdraws AstraZeneca bid
27th May 2014 06:45
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has called an end to its pursuit of AstraZeneca after continued rejections from the Anglo-Swedish rival. Pfizer had until May 26th to further improve its latest £55-a-share bid, though it had already said that this was its "final proposal". The offer, which valued th
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Intercontinental Hotels, George Osborne, AstraZeneca
25th May 2014 09:42
Intercontinental Hotels has turned down a 6bn pounds takeover approach from an unnamed investment fund, the Sunday Times reported. The approach is said to have been made in the last three weeks but the board thought it was too low to consider. City sources think the group could now be a target for a
Read moreLondon close: FTSE dips as traders eye elections in Europe and Ukraine
23rd May 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes down 4.81 points to 6,815.75 - Sentiment weighed by Bank Holiday, elections, Ukraine - US new home sales rise techMARK 2,758.00 +0.51% FTSE 100 6,815.75 -0.07% FTSE 250 15,706.03 +0.20% It was a negative finish for UK stocks in the final session of the week, with investors focused on
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: UKip, IPOs, Royal Mail
23rd May 2014 06:59
Labour admitted Ukip had caused "mayhem" last night as early results in council elections pointed to a big swing towards Nigel Farage's party in its heartlands. The Eurosceptics made huge gains across the country, halting Labour's hoped for gains and taking seats off the Conservatives. Ed Miliband's
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish after turbulent day, focus on Chinese PMI, UK GDP
22nd May 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes 0.48 points lower at 6,820.56 - SABMiller leads risers, Royal Mail at bottom of pile - Household spending drives rise in GDP techMARK 2,744.10 +0.32% FTSE 100 6,820.56 -0.01% FTSE 250 15,675.09 +0.46% Blue chips ended today's session flat, tipping marginally into negative territory i
Read moreSector movers: Tech and mining stocks rally
22nd May 2014 15:34
Technology stocks edged higher as Imagination Technologies agreed two deals to strengthen its MIPS architecture into a more serious competitor for ARM. The FTSE 250 company announced a collaboration with US technology giant Oracle to enhance Java computer programming language for embedded applicati
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: SABMiller bubbles higher on annual results
22nd May 2014 15:33
A taste for lager among drinkers in emerging markets helped brewing group SABMiller to add fizz to annual adjusted profits, although volumes declined in Europe and North America. SABMiller, whose brands include Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch, said strong demand in Latin America, Africa and Chin
Read moreBlackrock ratchets up the pressure on AstraZeneca
22nd May 2014 14:25
On Thursday AstraZeneca's largest shareholder ratcheted up the pressure on its board to engage with Pfizer over a possible sale. US private equity group Blacrock, the world´s largest, and which holds an 8% stake in the pharmaceuticals group, is understood to support the Anglo-Swedish outfit´s decis
Read moreLondon close: FTSE lifted by gains in US, eyes on BoE, retail sales
21st May 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 19.04 points at 6,821.04 - Retail figures, BoE in focus - April mortgage lending up by more than a third techMARK 2,735.35 +1.07% FTSE 100 6,821.04 +0.28% FTSE 250 15,603.20 +1.06% A rise in stocks on the other side of the Pond helped drive blue chips into positive territory by to
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Petrofac rises on Barclays upgrade
21st May 2014 15:28
Petrofac climbed after Barclays raised its recommendation for the UK's largest oil and gas engineer. An increase in oil prices also boosted the sector with both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude futures higher. Burberry's annual revenue rose 17% to £2.3bn, boosted by strong retail sales. The
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