London close: Stocks swing into the red as US data smashes forecasts
5th Jul 2013 16:45
The eagerly anticipated US jobs report didn't fail to disappoint on Friday, smashing consensus forecasts and sparking a surge in the dollar; but equity markets in the UK quickly dropped into the red with mining stocks providing a drag as metals prices fell. With an impressive 195,000 non-farm payro
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners drop as metals prices drop after US jobs beat
5th Jul 2013 14:38
Mining stocks were the worst performers of the day on Friday, tracking metals prices lower as the dollar the strengthened on the back of US labour-market data which smashed expectations. With an impressive 195,000 non-farm payrolls added in June - well ahead of the 165,000 forecast - and previous mo
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks hold on to gains before US jobs report
5th Jul 2013 12:00
The FTSE 100 was holding at a one-month high on Friday morning as investors awaited the US jobs report this afternoon which could spark a volatile reaction on stock markets worldwide. US futures were pointing to a strong start on Wall Street today, though volumes were on the light side as traders r
Read moreLondon open: Stocks at one-month high ahead of US jobs report
5th Jul 2013 08:42
Stocks were performing well on Friday morning, pushing the FTSE 100 to a one-month high ahead of the eagerly-anticipated US jobs report later on. London's benchmark index was building on its massive gains the day before, after jumping 3.1% on the back of dovish comments by the Bank of England and E
Read moreLondon pre-open: Strong start expected as eyes turn to US jobs data
5th Jul 2013 07:32
With Wall Street reopening after the Independence Day holiday, Friday is expected to be an interesting day for financial markets as investors gear up for the all-important US jobs report due out this afternoon. The FTSE 100 is expected to build on its massive gains the day before, after jumping 3.1
Read moreBritish Land acquires assets at Paddington Central estate
5th Jul 2013 07:07
British Land has acquired a majority of Paddington Central, a, 11 acre mixed use estate in London's West End. The property comprises seven modern buildings and a retail and leisure cluster, totalling 1.2m sq ft. The company said the £470m investment offers an "attractive blend of income and capit
Read moreLondon close: Political uncertainty hits stocks hard
3rd Jul 2013 16:44
The UK market suffered steep falls on Wednesday as risk appetite was hit by disappointing economic data from China, political uncertainty in Portugal and fears of a military coup in Egypt. Nerves were also on edge ahead of policy decisions from the Bank of England and European Central Bank tomorrow
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: China concerns weigh heavily on miners
3rd Jul 2013 15:08
Mining stocks were once again bearing the brunt of a fall in risk appetite on Wednesday as concerns over demand for commodities were sparked by some disappointing economic data from China. Anglo American, Glencore Xstrata, BHP Billiton, Vedanta and Antofagasta were among the worst performers. Lead
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks hit by political uncertainty, economic data
3rd Jul 2013 11:26
Political uncertainty in Europe, disappointing economic figures from China and nervousness ahead of some key 'risk events' later this week prompted a sell-off on the FTSE 100 on Wednesday morning. Resignations of both the Portuguese Finance Minister and Foreign Minister over the last few days have
Read moreLondon open: Risk appetite sinks ahead of key economic data
3rd Jul 2013 08:25
The FTSE 100 dropped sharply in early trading on Wednesday as economic data from China continues to disappoint, while nerves were setting in ahead of some key risk events later on in the week. Activity in China's services sector remained sluggish in June with the official non-manufacturing purchasi
Read moreLondon close: MPC's McCafferty warns against complacency
14th Jun 2013 16:16
Stocks bounced back further on Friday as traders opted to hold their fire ahead of next week's policy meeting at the US Federal Reserve. Nevertheless, there is still some uncertainty as to just how dangerous the present correction in equities really is, even if shares have reached clearly 'oversold'
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Mining, property stocks gain as traders 'buy on the dip'
14th Jun 2013 14:25
A calmer session on financial markets prompted decent gains in the mining and property sectors on Friday, as bargain-hunters moved in to 'buy on the dip' after the recent volatility hit both sectors hard. Anglo American, Glencore, Antofagasta, Vedanta and Randgold led the resources sector higher to
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks slip after EU jobs data
14th Jun 2013 11:47
The upbeat tone seen from markets in early trading on Friday morning didn't last for long, with the FTSE 100 slipping into the red by midday after some gloomy data from Europe. Strong gains on Wall Street last night prompted a decent start in London this morning on expectations that the Federal Res
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 tracks US and Asian markets higher early on
14th Jun 2013 08:46
Stocks were registering moderate gains on Friday morning as fears over the Federal Reserve's eventual 'exit strategy' from stimulus were eased overnight. Wall Street benchmarks rose strongly on Thursday on expectations that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will attempt to calm markets by pushing back pred
Read moreLondon pre-open: More losses expected after markets open
12th Jun 2013 07:42
Markets are expected to pick up where they left off on Wednesday morning, extending losses after a heavy sell-off the day before. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open down 35 points from yesterday's close of 6,340. The index fell 1.0% on Tuesday due to a combination of rising government b
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