London open: Markets celebrate euro agreements
27th Oct 2011 08:30
Just one stock was in the red on the FTSE 100 in the opening minutes of Thursday, as markets turned bullish on the back of a three-prongued deal in the Eurozone last night. The blue chip index in London jumped 1.85% early on, joining all major benchmarks across the continent this morning, with indic
Read moreLondon close: Banks buoyed by bailout beef-up
19th Oct 2011 16:50
Footsie enjoyed a buoyant if unspectacular day, with almost two-thirds of its constituents finishing in the blue. The market shrugged off the news that Spain's credit rating has been cut by two notches by the Moody's rating agency, and preferred to concentrate on a report in The Guardian newspaper
Read moreFTSE 100 Movers: GKN drops after profits rise just 1%
19th Oct 2011 14:18
GKN was the biggest loser on the FTSE after announcing a pre-tax profit rise of just 1% in the third quarter. After accounting for the final charge of £11m relating to its plant closure in the US, the automotive, aerospace and land systems engineer revealed that pre-tax profit was £89m in the three
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks stay buoyant
19th Oct 2011 11:59
Shares are buoyant today, winning back some of the previous day's losses despite ongoing worries over the Eurozone. A 48-hour general strike has been called in Greece ahead of a vote on austerity measures. Spain, meanwhile, had its credit rating cut by two notches last night by the Moody's rating a
Read moreLondon open: RBS, Barclays and Lloyds lead the way
19th Oct 2011 08:32
Greece has been crippled by strikes. Spain's debt has been downgraded by Moody's. And EU officials say no deal has been reached on scaling up the Eurozone fund. But for now London's leading share index is in positive territory. A 48-hour general strike has been called in Greece ahead of a vote on a
Read moreLondon close: German party poopers bash shares
17th Oct 2011 16:44
It was an another topsy-turvy dominated by changing perceptions of the Eurozone situation, with shares finishing firmly in the red after Steffen Seibert, spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, suggested that markets were getting carried away with the optimism. Referring to the hopes being
Read moreLondon midday: Euro boost for stocks again
17th Oct 2011 12:08
Stocks are buoyant this morning with attention once again focused on the Eurozone. STOCKS UP ON EUROZONE HOPES Following the weekend meeting of G20 leaders in Paris, the markets will now be looking ahead to a crucial EU summit on 23 October, with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne calling
Read moreSpanish savings banks may be in Barclays' sights
17th Oct 2011 10:30
Rumours have resurfaced regarding Barclays and its interest in acquiring one of more Spanish savings banks, or 'cajas.' Press reports suggest that the British bank could be looking at four different Spanish savings banks as possible acquisition targets. Thus, the Sunday Telegraph pointed out thi
Read moreLondon open: BP leads the rise, Footsie above 5,500
17th Oct 2011 08:34
The Footsie jumped above the 5,500 mark in the opening minutes, a level not seen since early August, on the back of hopes that Eurozone leaders are working hard to solve the region's debt crisis. STOCKS UP ON EUROZONE HOPES Following the weekend meeting of G20 leaders in Paris, the markets will no
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish amid euro optimism
14th Oct 2011 16:46
The top share index closed off earlier highs but still buoyant ahead of the weekend amid optimism after Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund lifted sentiment. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise after Slovak vote
14th Oct 2011 12:18
The top share index is buoyant after Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund lifted sentiment. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), was approved by Slovak MPs, two days after they voted against the
Read moreLondon open: Footsie flat early on
14th Oct 2011 08:35
The Footsie has opened flat despite expectations that Thursday's vote by Slovakia to expand the Eurozone' rescue fund would give a boost to equities early on. After the close last night, the expansion of Eurozone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), was approved by Slovak MP
Read moreLondon close: Banks drag market lower after Fitch downgrade
13th Oct 2011 16:34
A late rally drove the Footsie back above the 5,400 mark, but the blue chip index still finished 0.71% down after Fitch dampened sentiment in the banking sector. Not helping the mood was the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which lowered its growth forecasts for Asia for this year and next. The re
Read moreSector movers: Rolls-Royce lifts aerospace/defence stocks
13th Oct 2011 16:18
Power systems giant Rolls-Royce surged 9% on Thursday, helping the aerospace and defence sector to the top of the pile. Late last night, the firm revealed two major initiatives which are expected to significantly raise its operating profits in the future. It plans to sell its 32.5% stake in the bus
Read moreFitch cuts rating for Lloyds and RBS
13th Oct 2011 15:28
Ratings agency Fitch has confirmed speculation and cut ratings across the UK banking sector, downgrading part-nationalised lenders Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) due to uncertainties about the level of government support that they may receive. Ratings for Lloyds and RBS - which were alread
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