London close: Markets tank as Draghi dampens sentiment
2nd Aug 2012 16:48
- Draghi fails to give markets a boost - BoE maintains rates and QE - RBS leads the downside on one-charges, nationalisation rumours Equity markets across Europe tanked on Thursday afternoon in spite of a positive start, after the European Central Bank (ECB) dashed hopes of immediate action to stem
Read moreRBS to be fined for IT mishap, mis-selling scandals
2nd Aug 2012 14:18
Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to incur a 300m-pound one-off charge in relation to IT breakdowns at Natwest and two mis-selling scandals. According to an exclusive report by Mark Kleinman, the City Editor of Sky News, the bank will reveal details of the financial impact from these issues on Fri
Read moreRBS gears up for LIBOR-fixing repercussions
31st Jul 2012 15:12
A settlement between UK bank Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and authorities regarding the investigation into attempted LIBOR-fixing may be announced in the next few months. The interest-rate rigging scandal that led to numerous resignations on fellow lender Barclays's board - including Chief Executiv
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners lead the way
31st Jul 2012 14:25
Vedanta, Rio Tinto, Xstrata, Randgold, Glencore and Polymetal making good gains, boosted by Polymetal, Vedanta and Xstrata which all impressed with their second-quarter and first-half production reports this morning. A notable exception was Mexico-focused precious metals miner Fresnillo, which drop
Read moreLondon midday: Markets in the red despite mining strength
31st Jul 2012 11:26
- Recent global risk rally shows signs of fading - European blue-chips (BP, Weir, UBS, Deutsche Bank) - Markets await central bank action London's equity markets were broadly lower on Tuesday as sentiment was dampened by heavyweight corporates (BP, Weir, UBS, Deutsche Bank) missing analysts' estima
Read moreLondon open: Footsie flat despite falls for BP, Weir and Fresnillo
31st Jul 2012 08:28
- BP, Weir and Fresnillo provide some downward pressure - UK consumer confidence remains subdued - Markets await the Fed and ECB Some disappointing results from BP, Weir Group and Fresnillo were preventing gains for the Footsie on Tuesday morning; meanwhile, consumer confidence data in the UK showe
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners and financials lead the way
30th Jul 2012 14:23
The banking and resources sectors were among the best performers on Monday as risk appetite increased on the back of stimulus hopes. Barclays, RBS, ENRC and Xstrata were high risers by mid-afternoon. Global banking group HSBC was along among them after seeing an 11% rise in reported pre-tax profit
Read moreLondon midday: Stimulus hopes drive risk appetite
30th Jul 2012 12:03
- Juncker says leaders have 'no time to lose' - Markets await policy decisions by ECB and Fed - Yields fall at Italian bond auction European stock markets were making moderate gains on Monday morning as risk appetite increased on the back of hopes of central bank action this week in Europe and the
Read moreMonday broker round-up
30th Jul 2012 09:03
Anglo American: Jefferies cuts target from 2,950p to 2,200p, buy rating kept. Barclays: Nomura reiterates reduce rating and 210p target. Fidessa: Jefferies keeps hold recommendation and 1,510p target; Merchant Securities maintains buy rating; Investec puts target under review, sell rating kept. G
Read moreLondon open: Central bank hopes drive gains early on
30th Jul 2012 08:26
- Leaders have 'no time to lose', says Juncker - Markets await ECB decision on Thursday - QE3 hopes drive gains UK stocks rose in early trading on Monday on the back of hopes that the European Central Bank (ECB) will act this week to stem the Eurozone crisis. Eurogroup head Jean-Claude Juncker sai
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: BoE, German exit, German banks
30th Jul 2012 07:27
Bank of England policymakers are likely to hold off on a further stimulus injection on Thursday, despite figures that are expected to show the economy was still flat-lining into the third quarter. The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee is expected to leave interest rates on hold at 0.5 per cent and qu
Read moreLondon close: Stocks rally as euro leaders vow to battle crisis
27th Jul 2012 16:59
- Merkel, Hollande pledge lifts markets - Bundesbank still opposed to ECB bond-buying - Barclays surges after half-year beat Markets rocketed on Friday afternoon after European leaders showed their commitment to protect the Eurozone and US economic data beat expectations. German Chancellor Angela
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Barclays profits beat expectations
27th Jul 2012 16:11
A contrite Marcus Agius, Chairman of under-fire bank Barclays, apologised for the company's involvement in the LIBOR fixing scandal as he unveiled half-year profits ahead of market expectations, causing shares to climb into the top spot. Adjusted profit before tax in the first half of 2012 rose 13
Read moreSector movers: Barclays provides a lift to the banking sector
27th Jul 2012 16:01
Banks were among the best performing stocks on Friday afternoon, helped by the well-received interim results from Barclays and some reassuring remarks by European officials about the debt crisis. Underlying pre-tax profits came in at £4.2bn, 11% ahead of consensus estimates, with investment banking
Read moreBarclays downplays new FSA investigation
27th Jul 2012 12:24
While better than expected results on Friday morning provided a lift for Barclays, the bank has been rocked by news of a new regulatory investigation, this time over fees it paid to advisors when it raised fresh capital in the middle of the credit crunch. The revelation was tucked away on page 73 o
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