London midday: Markets pull back from five-month high as banks fall
23rd Oct 2013 11:15
Concerns over the Chinese economy and a weak performance by banking stocks halted a nine-day winning streak for UK markets on Wednesday, as investors chose to take profits following a strong run. The FTSE 100 snapped a nine-day winning streak this morning, pulling back from Tuesday's finish of 6,69
Read moreLondon close: Markets rise for eighth straight day, but RBS sinks
21st Oct 2013 16:54
The FTSE 100 hit a two-and-a-half-month high on Monday ahead of the eagerly anticipated US jobs report as markets managed to offset some heavy falls from heavyweight bank RBS. The UK lender dropped nearly 5% today after Chancellor George Osborne was quoted as saying that a decision over a 'good ban
Read moreGuy Hands' Infinis Energy to float in November
21st Oct 2013 15:02
A renewable energy company backed by Guy Hands' Terra Firma Investments plans to float on London's main market next month. Infinis Energy, which generates up to 621 megawatts of power from 147 land-fill gas sites, onshore wind farms and hydro-electric power plants around the UK, aims to list at lea
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 at a two-and-a-half-month high
21st Oct 2013 11:22
The FTSE 100 was trading at its highest levels since early August on Monday morning as equities extended gains made last week following the last-minute US deal to extend the debt ceiling. Upside was limited in morning trade, but London's benchmark index still managed to push past its September high
Read moreLondon open: Stocks edge higher as focus turns towards US data
21st Oct 2013 08:42
UK equites opened slightly higher on Monday morning, following a recent strong run and as traders awaited key economic data from the US later this week. London's FTSE 100 opened just a few points higher than Friday's close of 6,622.59, though this was still the highest finish for the benchmark ind
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 hits one-month high
18th Oct 2013 17:02
UK stocks hit a one-month high on Friday on hopes of a near-term continuation of US stimulus, while data from China showed a pick-up in growth. The FTSE 100 broke through the 6,600 level today to finish at 6,622.58, up 46.42 points on the day. The last time the index closed higher was on September
Read moreSector movers: RBS, Barclays lead banks lower
18th Oct 2013 14:01
Banking stocks were mostly under the weather on Friday with domestic lenders Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays leading to the downside. RBS was being weighed down by some gloomy comments from Investec analyst Ian Gordon, who recommended investors not to own the stock ahead of the bank's third-qua
Read moreNo plans for fresh LIBOR-rigging probe into Barclays, says FCA
18th Oct 2013 13:52
The Financial Conduct Authority has said it has "no current plans" to launch another probe into Barclays' role in the LIBOR-rigging scandal. It comes after allegations that documents provided in a court case yesterday showed the part the Bank played in the debacle went "further and wider than the
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise on hopes over taper delays
18th Oct 2013 11:23
The FTSE 100 came close to a one-month high on Friday morning on hopes that the political uncertainty in Washington may prompt the Federal Reserve to continue with its stimulus measures for a little longer. Also helping sentiment this morning was Chinese gross domestic product which grew at a year-
Read moreBroker snap: Don't own RBS ahead of Q3 results, says Investec
18th Oct 2013 11:20
Investec has maintained its 'sell' rating for UK lender Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), recommending investors not to own the stock ahead of its third-quarter results on November 1st. Analyst Ian Gordon said that the bank will likely fall back into the red in the second half, though most of the damag
Read moreFresh details of Barclays' alleged rate fixing emerge
18th Oct 2013 11:13
Documents provided in a court case indicate that Barclays' role in the LIBOR-rigging scandal "goes further and wider than the regulatory findings", it has been alleged by lawyers acting for Guardian Care Homes (GCH). GCH is suing Barclays over interest-rate swaps in a test case that could in theory
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: December taper, Barclays, Energy bills
18th Oct 2013 07:28
The US government shutdown sabotaged a crucial month of data and dealt a blow to the world's largest economy, but the Federal Reserve could still begin reducing its asset purchases as early as December. Analysts have slashed their growth forecasts for the fourth quarter to two per cent or below, wit
Read moreLondon close: Stocks edge higher after late rally
17th Oct 2013 17:00
UK stocks erased losses on Thursday afternoon, finishing in positive territory for the sixth straight session, though the market gave a rather lacklustre reaction to the last-minute US deal to avert a debt default. Alastair McCaig, Market Analyst at IG, said: "Having jumped out the way of one oncom
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BSkyB shares jump on strong revenues
17th Oct 2013 15:31
Satellite television and broadband group BSkyB surged after recording a strong rise in first-quarter revenues helped by an increase of 800,000 paid-for subscription products. However, profits were down after a step-up in Premier League costs. Brewing giant SABMiller gained after saying its first-ha
Read moreBroker snap: UK banks could need extra capital, says BNP
17th Oct 2013 12:47
UK banks were trading in the red on Thursday after Exane BNP Paribas speculated that lenders may need to raise more capital to meet regulatory requirements. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), due to make its final statement in December, could introduce additional capital buffers on top of c
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