Broker snap: Barclays and HSBC get the nod from KBW
15th May 2009 09:14
Barclays, already fielding bids for its iShares business, was buoyed Friday morning by rumours of a sale of the whole of its asset management arm. US group Blackrock is rumoured to be interested in buying the unit and may be prepared to pay up to $10bn. Little wonder, then, that Keefe, Bruyette &
Read moreLondon open: Banks give Footsie a boost
15th May 2009 08:48
Banks have helped Footsie make a bright start with reports that Barclays is considering new offers for its iShares arm boosting the whole sector. Barclays may backtrack on a deal to sell its iShares unit to CVC, the private equity group, and instead offload its entire asset management division for
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: Barclays mulls new iShares offer
15th May 2009 06:16
Barclays may backtrack on a deal to sell its iShares unit to CVC, the private equity group, and instead offload its entire asset management division. The bank is in talks to sell Barclays Global Investors (BGI), which owns the iShares fund management operation, to bidders believed to include BlackR
Read moreLondon midday: Shares tread water
14th May 2009 11:54
It is back to square one for London's blue-chips, with gains on banks and miners cancelled out by losses on oils and telecoms giant BT. Banks suffered some profit taking earlier in the week but are bouncing back, helped by a research note on the sector from Morgan Stanley. The US investment bank ha
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: BT, Barclays, HSBC
14th May 2009 06:07
BT could face a pension-fund deficit of more than £11bn, according to independent pensions expert John Ralfe. Mr Ralfe estimates that under "true market valuations" the hole in BT's pension could have ballooned to over £11bn - more than the market capitalisation of the former state-owned telecoms co
Read moreLondon close: Footsie takes a dive
13th May 2009 16:31
Footsie gave up its recent indecisive spell to dive into the red after an unexpected fall in US retail sales tempered recent talk that we are on the cusp of an economic recovery. Financial shares were the worst performers in London, not helped by disappointing trading updates from Legal & General a
Read moreLondon afternoon: US retail sales data jolts London
13th May 2009 14:28
Poor US retail sales figures prompted a quickening in the decline of blue-chip prices in London. US retail sales had been expected to rise in April but unexpectedly fell, bringing in to doubt hopes that the US economy is on the mend. Financial shares are the worst performers in London, not helped b
Read moreLondon midday: Miners and properties slide
13th May 2009 12:04
After a moderately firmer start, London's leading shares quickly turned lower in the morning session, with mining shares and properties weighing heavily on the FTSE 100 index. Property giant Land Securities saw its net asset value slashed by two-thirds in 2008 in what it described as 'unprecedented
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
12th May 2009 16:28
There was no shortage of company news to give Footsie direction but the index ended the day little changed as downbeat banks offset well-received updates. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclayseased after Credit Suisse suggested the margins of UK banks will come under pressure.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Back in the blue
12th May 2009 14:11
In keeping with the day's topsy-turvy theme, the Footsie is back in positive territory, despite the weakness of banks and miners. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays are all easier after Credit Suisse suggested the margins of UK banks will come under pressure. In the mining
Read moreBroker tips: UK banks, Enterprise, Babcock
12th May 2009 13:06
Credit Suisse has upped its price targets on part-nationalised banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group but the increased targets are still below both banks' current share prices. Royal Bank of Scotland has had its target price increased from 25p to 30p, while Lloyds' price target is b
Read moreLondon midday: Banks lower on margin worries
12th May 2009 12:13
The market had an indecisive morning, with yesterday's decline after four successive days of gains giving investors pause for thought. Banking is the weakest sector after a cautious review of UK banks by Credit Suisse. The Swiss bank has cut its ratings on Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland, with
Read moreTechnical Analysis: Banks running out of steam
12th May 2009 10:56
Since March the banking sector has undergone a significant turn around in fortunes. This turnaround must be put into context of its decline since 2007. Since the peaks of 11,696.30 in February 2007 the sector has plummeted over 85% peak to trough so it was inevitable that there would be a bounce at
Read moreBroker snap: Credit Suisse warns on banking margins
12th May 2009 10:01
Credit Suisse has upped its price targets on part-nationalised banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group but the increased targets are still below both banks’ current share prices. Royal Bank of Scotland has had its target price increased from 25p to 30p, while Lloyds’ price target is b
Read moreLondon open: Dull start for Footsie
12th May 2009 08:46
London's blue chips have opened lower as investors digest a string of trading statements and results. Pubs group Enterprise Inns has called time on its dividend as it seeks to pay down its debt pile. The company announced an interim pre-tax profit of £103m, in line with market expectations but down
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