London close: Footsie has 6,000 in its sights
22nd Dec 2010 17:23
Leading shares tended firmer throughout the afternoon session leaving the blue-chip index well placed to break through the 6,000 barrier tomorrow if it enjoys another day like today. Shares shrugged off the disappointment of a downward revision to third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data. UK
Read moreLondon pre-open: Pause for breath anticipated
22nd Dec 2010 07:35
It looks like stocks will take a breather after yesterday's rally to a new 2½-year high, although the early retreat isn't expected to go far. The FTSE 100 is expected to drop around 8 points when trading gets underway, according to current futures prices. In company news, British Land and Oxford P
Read moreLondon close: Banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 17:03
Shares failed to haul themselves into the blue on a busy day's trading, as worries over the Irish economy spooked banking stocks. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Lloyd
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downbeat banks hold back Footsie
17th Dec 2010 15:05
Shares remain uncertain as the weekend approaches, with banks holding the leading share index back amid continuing eurozone worries. Ratings agency Moody's has slashed its credit rating on Ireland by five notches to Baa1 from Aa2 citing concerns over banking liabilities and economic prospects. Me
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca disappointment
17th Dec 2010 12:58
AstraZeneca is the worst performer in the Footsie because the FDA has asked for more information about blood-thinning drug Brilinta. This represents a further delay is getting US approval for Brilinta. Gloomy comments by the Bank of England about potential bad debt provisions hit Royal Bank of Sco
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks retreat
17th Dec 2010 12:49
The leading index broke above 5,900 for a short time, but now finds itself stuck in the red as AstraZeneca and the banks offset gains in the property sector. The Bank of England has warned of more bad debt provisions for the banks and also expressed serious concerns for the bond markets if yields c
Read moreLondon open: Flat start for blue chips
17th Dec 2010 08:43
London has started slowly despite the late gains on Wall Street overnight with some gloomy comments from the Bank of England unsettling the mood. The Bank warned of more bad debt provisions for the banks and also expressed serious concerns for the bond markets if yields continued to rise. Lloyds an
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish for sluggish Footsie
10th Dec 2010 16:40
Footsie limped into the blue heading into the weekend after a day in which foreign economic news was the main point of interest. Miners were the centre of attention after strong Chinese import figures demonstrated the Asian economic powerhouse's thirst for commodities. Imports jumped to 37.7% from
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still sluggish after mixed US start
10th Dec 2010 15:18
A mixed start on Wall Street has failed to lift Footsie out of its early sluggishness. Miners are going well though, after strong Chinese import figures demonstrated the Asian economic powerhouse's thirst for commodities. Imports jumped to 37.7% from 24.2%. Vedanta, Fresnillo and ENRC are among th
Read moreLondon midday: Miners advance after China export data
10th Dec 2010 12:09
Traders will be looking ahead to the US open for guidance now on a sluggish day on the equity markets. The mining sector is a strong performer, after strong Chinese import figures demonstrated the Asian economic powerhouse's thirst for commodities, sending metals prices higher. Imports jumped to 37
Read moreLondon open: Footsie struggles for direction
10th Dec 2010 08:56
It's been a very quiet morning so far with little company news and even the eurozone front calming down a little. Standard Chartered is the worst performer with investors still a little unsettled by its admission yesterday that costs are rising faster than revenues. Rolls-Royce is another faller o
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to start quietly firmer
10th Dec 2010 07:30
As expected, it has been a quiet day for company news so far in London with traders looking to the US to provide a lead on market trends. Wall Street's late rally yesterday looks set to give a boost to London's blue-chips at the outset, with City traders expecting the FTSE 100 to open around 18 poin
Read moreBritish Land puts in planning app for 5 Broadgate
10th Dec 2010 07:01
Property company British Land and investment firm Blackstone Group have submitted planning application for 5 Broadgate, the office building in the City that initially will be let out to Swiss banking giant UBS. The 12 storey building will also have two basements for commercial office use. The main
Read moreLondon close: Strong gains near the close
25th Nov 2010 16:48
Footsie closed the day healthily in the blue as investors got excited about shopping centre owners and other property groups. Capital Shopping Centres Group (CSC), the shopping centre arm of what used to be Liberty International, raced ahead after it put pen to paper to purchase Manchester's Traffo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Capital buys Trafford Centre
25th Nov 2010 13:07
Capital Shopping Centres, the shopping centre arm of what used to be Liberty International, has raced ahead after it agreed the purchase Manchester's Trafford Centre in a deal worth £1.6bn. Capital is paying for the purchase from Peel in shares and convertible bonds. It also intends to raise cash t
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