London close: Greece pulls Footsie down again
6th May 2010 16:43
Footsie ended the day sharply lower as Greece's problems reared up again and investors fretted about the outcome of today's election. Banks were hit hard as ratings agency Moody's warned that the UK lenders are "at risk of Greek contagion". Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and even Asia-foc
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks lead market down
6th May 2010 15:33
Banks are leading Footsie downwards after ratings agency Moody's warned that the UK lenders are "at risk of Greek contagion". Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, HSBC and even Asia-focused Standard Chartered fell sharply after Moody's said banks in the UK, as well as in Ireland, Italy, Portu
Read moreLondon afternoon: Banks throw a Moody
6th May 2010 14:16
Footsie's morning gains evaporated over the lunch time session as fears over the debt crisis spreading from Greece reared up again. Banks were hit hard as ratings agency Moody's warned that the UK lenders are "at risk of Greek contagion". Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and even Asia-focus
Read moreBroker tips: WPP, Standard Chartered, Barclays
4th May 2010 12:58
Panmure Gordon has raised its target price for advertising giant WPP Group though its praise for the group's first quarter performance could not be described as gushing. Panmure Gordon rated the first quarter showing as no more than "reasonable", with the key positives from the update being upgrade
Read moreBroker snap: Barclays a purchase for the long term
4th May 2010 12:40
The first quarter performance by Barclays was a disappointment to Nomura Securities but the Japanese broker is sticking with its positive rating for the UK banking giant. Revenues at the investment banking arm Barclays Capital were lower than Nomura had been anticipating though this was partially o
Read moreLondon close: Weak finish for FTSE 100
30th Apr 2010 16:42
A poor start in the US added to Footsie's woes, sending the leading share index deep into the red by the trade of closing going into the weekend. Mining stocks were a drag on the index with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto lower ahead of the release over the week-end of the Australian government's review
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners nervous ahead of Aussie tax review
30th Apr 2010 14:17
An attempt at a rally midway through the lunch time session had fizzled out before traders had finished digesting their midday repast, despite expectations of a firmer start on Wall Street. Mining stocks are proving a drag on the index with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto lower ahead of the release ove
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie heads lower
30th Apr 2010 11:55
Footsie's morning has moved from lacklustre to disappointing, with the blue-chip index now firmly in the red. Banking giant Barclays is dragging the index lower, despite the group reporting a 47% increase in first quarter profits. Concern over the retail business has offset bumper profits from Barc
Read moreLondon open: Rig disaster weighs on BP
30th Apr 2010 08:56
London's top stocks have made only modest gains so far despite the big rise on Wall St overnight. BP and Barclays are weighing on the index. The oil spilling out of the damaged rig in the Gulf of Mexico is now starting to come ashore in Louisiana and the scale of disaster has sent BP shares lower a
Read moreLondon pre-open: Small gains ahead
30th Apr 2010 07:33
London's top stocks are expected to open marginally higher, with traders forecasting a 3 point rise after the open. A big surge in business at Barclays Capital and decline in impairments had profit at Barclays bank up 47% in the first quarter of 2010. Profit before tax from continuing operations le
Read moreBarclays makes £1.8bn in Q1
30th Apr 2010 07:02
A big surge in business at Barclays Capital and decline in impairments had profit at Barclays bank up 47% in the first quarter of 2010. Profit before tax from continuing operations leapt to £1.82bn from £1.24bn in the first three months of 2009. Investment banking arm, Barclays Capital, raked in £1
Read moreFriday preview: Barclays' turn to defend exec pay
29th Apr 2010 16:54
Barclays shareholders will be rocking up to the Royal Festival Hall on London's Southbank tomorrow to question bosses about excessive pay and bonuses. President and head of investment banking Bob Diamond's wage deal could see the American pocket £20m over three years. Other chiefs are also in line
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Positive oils can't stop fall
28th Apr 2010 15:25
Strong figures from Royal Dutch Shell have also boosted the share price of fellow oil company BP but this has not been enough for FTSE 100 to hang on to positive territory. The banks, which were the worst performers earlier in the day, have recovered the majority of their earlier losses but remain
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie in positive territory
28th Apr 2010 14:40
The FTSE 100 is now in positive territory as heavily weighted index constituents such as Shell, BP, HSBC and Glaxo make headway, but the FTSE 250 index remains in the red. Higher oil prices helped Royal Dutch Shell post a sharp rise in earnings in the first quarter of 2010. Profit jumped to $4.9bn
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks off the bottom
28th Apr 2010 12:13
Blue-chips are beginning to recover their poise, helped by demand for heavyweight oil stocks in the wake of better than expected results from Shell, and a positive reaction to results from Glaxo, released at noon. Higher oil prices helped Royal Dutch Shell post a sharp rise in earnings in the first
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