FTSE 100 movers: Barclays boosted by Morgan Stanley
16th Mar 2010 11:40
Bank giant Barclays is one of the best performers on a bullish note from Morgan Stanley, which has lifted its price target for the bank to 440p from 370p. The US broker estimates that investment bank arm Barclays Capital could make a £7bn profit in the next financial year. Cost cutting helped sec
Read moreTuesday paper round-up: Royal Bank of Scotland, British Airways, BAE Systems
16th Mar 2010 06:31
Royal Bank of Scotland is planning a vast balance sheet restructuring in an attempt to boost its capital strength and its standing with bond investors. The move could involve at least £10bn (€11bn) of the bank's £28bn of debt being bought back at a bought back at a premium to current prices. This w
Read moreLondon close: Footsie drifts lower
15th Mar 2010 16:36
A sluggish performance on Wall Street helped ensure Footsie finished firmly in the red after a mostly directionless day. Leading the mining sector down was Xstrata with rumours doing the rounds in the City that the Anglo-Swiss company is mulling a rights issue. Speculation is also hovering over Ved
Read moreLondon afternoon: Mixed views on banks
15th Mar 2010 14:33
Miners continue to be a drag on the blue-chip index as copper prices fall back, but the Footsie's decline remains a leisurely one. Leading the mining sector down is Xstrata with rumours doing the rounds in the City that the Anglo-Swiss company is mulling a rights issue. Speculation is also hovering
Read moreBroker snap: Sell the banks says Seymour
15th Mar 2010 12:38
Broker Seymour Pierce has written a bearish assessment of the prospects for UK banks, with sell ratings for Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays. The broker expects the banks will see more revenue disappointment before rebuilding their profitability and believes expectations for banking inco
Read moreMonday paper round-up: Barclays/Lehman, British Airways, Rio Tinto
15th Mar 2010 06:38
Further damaging revelations about the collapse of Lehman Brothers are being held up in the US courts by Barclays. A 2,200-page examiner's report into the collapse of the 158-year old institution, published last week, uncovered in forensic detail evidence that Lehman used "balance sheet manipulatio
Read moreLondon close: Footsie edges forward
12th Mar 2010 16:44
The leading share index limped higher to into the weekend only a few points ahead on the week. Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays gained. Life groups Old Mutual, Legal & General and Standard Life are also in demand. HSBC was the exception among the financials after Goldman Sachs reduced i
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie heading higher again
12th Mar 2010 14:05
Futures pointing to a strong start on Wall Street after better than expected retail sales figures and demand for the UK banks have kept Footsie moving upwards. Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays are all higher. Life groups Old Mutual, Legal & General and Standard Life are also in demand.
Read moreLondon midday: Banks keep Footsie ahead
12th Mar 2010 12:00
Banks are driving Footsie upwards following a sluggish start. Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays are all higher. Life groups Old Mutual, Legal & General and Standard Life are also in demand. HSBC is the exception among the financials after Goldman Sachs reduced its view to 'neutral' and
Read moreLondon open: Flat start for Footsie
12th Mar 2010 08:39
Early gains have all now evaporated and Footsie has slipped into the red despite a good rally on Wall Street overnight. Financial are the best performers with the nearly all showing good gains. Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays are all higher. Life groups Old Mutual, Legal & General and S
Read moreLondon close: Late gains for FTSE 100
10th Mar 2010 16:41
Footsie lacked direction for much of the day, but found strength following a bright start in the US to continue its gradual ascent of recent days. Mining stocks did their bit to bolster the Footsie as metal prices rose following a sharp increase in imports into China in February. Banks also helped,
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks trade sideways
10th Mar 2010 14:25
The market traded sideways over the lunchtime session allowing the blue-chip index to retain its tenuous position above the 6500 level. Mining stocks are doing their bit to bolster the Footsie as metal prices rise following a sharp increase in imports into China in February. Banks are also doing th
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 250 stocks shine
10th Mar 2010 12:01
The Footsie is clinging on to positive territory, not helped by the likes of Admiral, BATS, Serco, Schroders, Standard Chartered and TUI Travel trading in ex-dividend form today. The main points of interest this morning were outside of the FTSE 100 index, however. FTSE 250 constituent Tullett Prebo
Read moreLondon open: Very quiet start
10th Mar 2010 08:51
London's blue chips have opened lower but there is little momentum either way at present with modest gains for the banks offset by a stack of companies going ex-dividend. Derivatives broker Tullett Prebon is the stand-out after it confirmed preliminary discussions with a third party which may or ma
Read moreLondon pre-open: Shares seen lower
10th Mar 2010 07:32
London's blue chips are expected to open lower on Wednesday with traders forecasting a 10 points drop. Life insurer Standard Life is lifting its efficiency targets for 2010 after delivering 'good profits and healthy cash flow' in 2009. Underlying profit before tax in 2009 rose to £291m from £154m t
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