Tuesday newspaper round-up: Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays
26th Apr 2011 06:31
Lloyds Banking Group, which is now 43% owned by the taxpayer, is reported to be considering a sale of its pensions and insurance business Scottish Widows. The group's new chief executive, Antonio Horta-Osorio, is said to be poised to offload the subsidiary, possibly together with the bank's 60 per c
Read moreWeek Ahead: Barclays, ARM, AB Foods
21st Apr 2011 09:03
Some big guns are due to make trading updates next week including heavy hitters from the banking, pharma and oils sectors, such as Barclays, Lloyds, Glaxo, Astra, Shire, BP and Royal Dutch Shell. On Wednesday banking giant Barclays gives an interim management statement covering the first quarter of
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Resolution unwanted after downgrade
18th Apr 2011 13:43
Insurance giant Resolution is the worst performer on the FTSE 100, after being downgraded from 'buy' to 'neutral' by UBS. The broker cuts its rating given the weak operational performance, mixed valuation picture and strong recent share price performance. The share price is left at 300p. Also lowe
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banking shares head south
15th Apr 2011 12:37
The banking sector is heading lower today as sentiment sours after credit rating agency Moody's cut its rating for Ireland's sovereign debt by two levels to Baa3 from Baa1, while retaining its negative outlook. RBS, Lloyds and Barclays are among the worst performers. Also in the red are the blue ch
Read moreLondon midday: Banks dull after Ireland downgrade
15th Apr 2011 12:02
The top share index failed to regain the 6,000 level in the morning, but came close before subsiding just before midday. Banks are dragging the index lower, offsetting good gains among property companies. Banks such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and Barclays are off the pace as sentiment sour
Read moreBroker snap: ICB report not as bad as it could have been
12th Apr 2011 12:47
The report issued by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) could have been worse, according to Credit Suisse. "While the commission is considering ring-fencing retail banking operations, it appears open to the idea that the business can still exist as part of a wider group, effectively ruling
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish despite banks' advance
11th Apr 2011 16:54
The top share index was seeking direction all day Monday even as banks advanced following the publication of changes proposed for the sector by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB). While Lloyds Banking had a grumble about the ICB's recommendation that it should have to sell more than 600 br
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks firmer after ICB report
11th Apr 2011 15:02
The banking sector is performing well today after a report from the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB). The ICB stopped short of recommending that banks that have investment banking arms should demerge those operations. Instead, it has recommended that banks' retail operations should be protec
Read moreLondon afternoon: Burberry eases after third quake
11th Apr 2011 14:15
The Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has issued its interim report on changes proposed for the sector, and while Lloyds Banking has had a grumble about the ICB's recommendation that it should have to sell more than 600 branches, the market's reaction is that the report looks favourable for th
Read moreLondon midday: Banks advance after ICB report
11th Apr 2011 12:03
Banking stocks are in focus on an otherwise dull day on the company news front after the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) issued its interim report on changes proposed for the sector. It stopped short of recommending that banks that have investment banking arms should demerge those operation
Read moreLondon open: Banks buoyant after ICB report
11th Apr 2011 08:24
Shares are subdued in early dealings, though banking stocks have moved ahead following the publication of the Independent Commission on Banking's interim report. It stopped short of recommending that banks that have investment banking arms should demerge those operations. Instead, it has recommend
Read moreLondon close: Shares in late dive
7th Apr 2011 16:43
Shares were little changed for much of the day as central banks in London and Frankfurt acted as expected, but another earthquake in Japan sent jitters through markets ahead of the close. The Bank of England kept its key lending rate unchanged. The European Central Bank, however, stuck to its scrip
Read moreLondon afternoon: FTSE 250 stocks take a bashing
7th Apr 2011 15:12
The blue-chip index moved into positive territory over the lunch time trading session as the Bank of England removed all doubt about its current focus on the health of the economy, rather than the inflation risk, and kept its key lending rate unchanged. The European Central Bank, however, stuck to
Read moreSector movers: Talvivaara weighs down industrial metals stocks
7th Apr 2011 14:43
The industrial metals and mining sector is the worst performing sector today, led lower by Finnish miner Talvivaara. The company lowered annual production guidance to take into account longer than previously anticipated maintenance breaks, and believes it realistic to anticipate a production shortf
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks dominate risers
7th Apr 2011 14:12
The banking sector is making ground, offsetting losses by miners. Blue chip lenders are firmer in London after the Bank of England resisted calls to raise interest rates. The benchmark rate is unchanged at a record low of 0.5% and the quantitative easing programme has been maintained at £200bn. H
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