London open: RBS gains limit losses on FTSE
25th Jul 2014 09:06
- Initial losses largely reversed - RBS leaps after surprise H1 profit - Eyes on UK Q2 GDP techMARK 2,814.40 -0.27% FTSE 100 6,815.84 -0.08% FTSE 250 15,757.37 +0.06% The FTSE opened in the red but losses were largely reversed following a surprise first-half profit from Royal Bank of Scotland, wh
Read moreWeek ahead: Eyes on Barclays during frantic week
24th Jul 2014 17:03
An extremely busy week lies ahead, with a tumult of the largest companies on the London stock market announcing second-quarter and half-year results. The week begins quietly enough on Monday and Tuesday, with a Reckitt Benckiser expected to post lower profits on Monday due to forex movements, an in
Read moreUK banks told to build bond buffer under new world rules
24th Jul 2014 16:17
UK banks will be required to build a buffer of loss-absorbing bonds at least as big as the capital already held under new international rules, according to a Bank of England (BoE) official. The crackdown comes as part of plans to prevent governments having to bail out banks in the event of a financ
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Reed Elsevier leads risers
24th Jul 2014 16:06
Reed Elsevier was the top riser after it reported a 4% increase in half year revenue at constant currency and a 5% increase in the dividend. Shares in International Airlines Group climbed after an agreement was reached between the group and its main trade unions that could see as many as 1,427 job
Read moreSector movers: Banks rise on Fitch comments, accounting change
24th Jul 2014 14:59
Upbeat comments from Fitch and changes in accounting standards gave the UK-listed banking sector a boost on Thursday. HSBC was the standout performer in afternoon trade, rising 2.4%, while Barclays and RBS rose over 1%. Ratings agency Fitch said that so-called Viability Ratings (VRs) on banks in E
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase losses as banks and housebuilders gain
24th Jul 2014 12:04
- Banking, housing stocks provide a boost - Kingfisher, Easyjet slump after results - Ukraine still in focus as Russian sanctions discussed - Eurozone PMI improves, UK retail sales fall techMARK 2,821.65 -0.06% FTSE 100 6,802.89 +0.07% FTSE 250 15,726.48 0.00% UK stocks managed to turn around afte
Read moreUK banks to set aside a further £1bn for PPI compensation
22nd Jul 2014 12:29
The UK's biggest banks will next week announce that they have set aside a further £1bn to meet payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling related compensation claims, reports have claimed. According to Sky News, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays will reveal in their hal
Read moreBarclays dark pool concerns raised months before lawsuit
21st Jul 2014 17:37
Concerns had been raised months before the New York attorney general alleged in June that Barclays lied to clients about the extent of predatory trading activity on the electronic trading venue,The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Stocks in Barclays slid as sources told the newspaper that tr
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall as tensions rise after Malaysia Airlines crash
18th Jul 2014 12:07
- Markets react to shooting down of Malaysia Airlines plane - Gaza fighting also weighing on sentiment - Shire and AbbVie strike £32bn takeover deal - UK competition watchdog orders banking probe techMARK 2,787.48 -0.41% FTSE 100 6,706.45 -0.47% FTSE 250 15,448.43 -0.68% Global geopolitical tensio
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
18th Jul 2014 07:55
Barclays: Credit Suisse cuts target price from 275p to 235p retaining a neutral rating. Barratt Developments: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 468p to 387p and downgrades to hold. Bellway: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1900p to 1764p, while leaving its buy recommendation uncha
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: Malaysia Airlines, Times Warner, UK banks...
18th Jul 2014 07:08
The president of Ukraine has accused pro-Russia rebels in the east of the country of shooting down a Malaysia Airlines jet with a ground-to-air missile, killing all 298 people on board as the airliner exploded and rained down in fiery pieces over a rural Ukrainian village. The huge loss of life thre
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
17th Jul 2014 11:07
Antofagasta: Canaccord Genuity cuts target price from 870p to 835p and maintains a hold recommendation. African Minerals: Canaccord Genuity reduces target price from 230p to 170p and keeps a buy recommendation. Ashmore Group: Goldman Sachs downgrades to neutral with a target price of 430p. Barcla
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Time Warner, Shire, BMW...
17th Jul 2014 06:47
21st Century Fox, the entertainment conglomerate run by Rupert Murdoch, may have to raise its audacious $80 billion bid for Time Warner to secure the biggest media takeover since the dot-com boom. 21st Century Fox offered $86 per share in cash and shares for its rival but the approach was rejected b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tobacco stocks drop on Reynolds-Lorillard tie-up
15th Jul 2014 13:49
Share prices of tobacco rivals Imperial and British American both dropped on Tuesday as investors gave a cool reaction to the planned merger between US peers Reynolds and Lorillard, which involves both UK companies parting ways with a lot of cash. As part of the deal, Imperial is to buy a portfolio
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: LSE drops on Qatar sale, Portugal fears hit banks
10th Jul 2014 15:29
London Stock Exchange was one of the worst performers on the FTSE 100 on Thursday after Qatar Investment Authority cut its 15% stake in the exchange operator by a third ahead of the UK-listed firm's planned $1.6bn rights issue to fund the acquisition of Frank Russell. Concerns about contagion from
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