London 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
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 shrugs off weather woes
20th Dec 2010 16:44
Shares held onto gains to close in positive territory despite the bad weather hitting travel and retail stocks. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers fell. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stay buoyant despite weather hit
20th Dec 2010 15:25
Footsie is still hovering around 5,900 points following a mixed start on Wall Street. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers have trimmed losses. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks & Spencer,
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 5,900
20th Dec 2010 12:00
Things turned around dramatically in the hour before lunch as the session came alive after a rather dull start, nudging a 2½-year high by midday. Defensive issues are still going well. National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy and British Gas owner Centrica are expected to benefit from the cold sn
Read moreOsborne has to wait for bank bonus face-off
20th Dec 2010 08:53
The chancellor and business secretary's showdown with the banks has been postponed because of the weather. George Osborne, stranded in New York, and Vince Cable, had been due to threaten Britain's five largest banks with further taxation and regulation unless they water down this year's bonus round
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Bank bonuses, snow, BSkyB
20th Dec 2010 06:30
George Osborne and Vince Cable will today pile pressure on senior bankers by threatening tax rises and further regulations if they go ahead with another bumper round of bonuses. The Chancellor and the Business Secretary are meeting the chief executives of the five largest banks ? the Royal Bank of S
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 17:03
Shares failed to haul themselves into the blue on a busy day's trading, as worries over the Irish economy spooked banking stocks. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Lloyd
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downbeat banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 15:05
Shares remain uncertain as the weekend approaches, with banks holding the leading share index back amid continuing eurozone worries. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Me
Read moreSector Movers: Astra drags down pharma sector
17th Dec 2010 14:57
The pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector is the weakest sector Friday afternoon with AstraZeneca among the biggest fallers. AstraZeneca has tumbled after it suffered another delay in getting US approval for its potential blockbuster blood-thinning drug Brilinta after the US Food and Drug Admini
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