London midday: FTSE 100 adds more gains
11th Jan 2011 12:07
The top share index is now well clear of the 6,000 point mark after building on earlier gains. Banks move higher after the government back-tracked on the question of bonuses. As a trade-off for no additional taxes on the expected £7bn of UK bonuses this year, the banks are in talks to raise their b
Read moreBarclays' chief Diamond talks of bonus 'restraint'
11th Jan 2011 11:22
Barclays' new chief executive Bob Diamond has defended bankers' bonuses and refused to confirm whether he will forgo his payout this year, thought to be worth up to £8m. Diamond, the former head of investment banking arm Barclays Capital promoted on 1 January, also told a Treasury Select Committee
Read moreLondon open: Footsie back above 6,000
11th Jan 2011 08:50
UK blue chips have raced away this morning led by the banks as the government caved in on the issue of bonuses. As a trade-off for no additional taxes on the expected £7bn of UK bonuses this year, the banks are in talks to raise their business lending by 10%, or £20bn, to £200bn. Shares in Barclays
Read moreBroker tips for 2011
7th Jan 2011 15:37
Analysts are predicting a bullish year for the UK market on hopes a global economic recovery will kick in. Here are a few of the companies brokers think will lead the advance. Standard Life predicts the FTSE 100, which has risen around 25% since July, could rise by a further 15% to 6,900 by the end
Read moreBanks to proceed with bonus bonanza
7th Jan 2011 08:31
City bankers will pocket billions of pounds in bonuses this year as bank bosses reject pleas from ministers to slash payouts. The total figure may be less than it would have been if the government hadn't put pressure on the banks, but that's all, according to the BBC. Quite how much of an impact i
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 storms past 6,000
4th Jan 2011 16:36
The top share index lost some if its strong early gains ahead of the close, but still finished above the psychologically important 6,000 point mark on a storming start to 2011. Oil giant BPwas boosted by reports that rival Shell looked into making a bid for the company in the wake of last year's G
Read moreLondon afternoon: Triple digit rise for Footsie
4th Jan 2011 14:31
Bid speculation is adding froth to a London stock market already playing catch-up with European and US markets that posted strong gains yesterday. Oil giant BPis boosted by reports that rival Shell looked into making a bid for the company in the wake of last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which s
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks push higher
4th Jan 2011 13:40
Banks are helping to push the index higher on the back of positive economic data published yesterday. RBS, Barclays and Lloyds are all ahead. Bid rumours have boosted BP with talk that Shell has considered an offer for the giant oil company. Silver miner Fresnillo continues to rise on the bac
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 roars past 6,000 points
4th Jan 2011 12:01
The top share index's storming start to 2011 continues, with the FTSE 100 now well clear of 6,000 points and sitting at levels not seen since the first half of 2008. Among today's high fliers is BP, with the oil giant boosted by reports that rival Shell looked into making a bid for the company in t
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips open 2001 in buoyant mood
4th Jan 2011 08:46
Big gains in the US overnight and a strong display in Asia this morning have encouraged a rush of buying in London. Banks are strong led by Royal Bank of Scotland on good economic data coming out of Europe and the US yesterday, while Bank or America's settlement with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Vince Cable, Citigroup, UK banks
22nd Dec 2010 06:02
Vince Cable was stripped of key roles on the media and telecoms tonight after he told undercover reporters he had "declared war on Rupert Murdoch" and planned to block his efforts to take full control of BSkyB. Dr Cable survived as Business Secretary on the insistence of Nick Clegg. But in a humilia
Read moreLondon 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 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 moreBanks paid too little for toxic insurance
21st Dec 2010 08:17
Britain's bailed-out banks paid too little to get their toxic loans underwritten by the taxpayer, the National Audit Office has concluded, and could have afforded to pay another £4bn. Lloyds paid £2.5bn to pull out of the asset protection scheme (APS) in October last year after placing £260bn of it
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