Thursday newspaper round-up: Strikes, BP, Italy...
30th Dec 2010 08:35
Union bosses are plotting mass strikes at around the time of the royal wedding. The most senior figures in the movement are to meet early in the new year at a TUC meeting aimed at delivering co-ordinated mass industrial action in the spring against government cuts. Mark Serwotka, the leader of the
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 hits 6,000
23rd Dec 2010 16:37
It was a quiet the markets on the last full day of trading before Christmas, but the top share index's attempt to inch past the 6,000 point mark proved an exciting spectacle. A final push ensured that symbolically important feat was achieved, but FTSE 100 closed just below that level, last seen in
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks come off the top
23rd Dec 2010 14:24
Footsie's assault on 6,000 has run out of steam and the blue-chip index is now barely holding on to gains. Mortgage lending fell to a 20-month low in November new figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show, underlining the weakness the housing market is currently experiencing. Oil pr
Read moreLondon midday: Stubborn FTSE 100 stays below 6,000
23rd Dec 2010 12:08
Domestic economic data has failed to jolt the top share index into life, but a raft of data from the US could trigger a move above 6,000 points later this afternoon. Mortgage lending fell to a 20-month low in November new figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show, underlining the wea
Read moreLondon open: Assault on 6,000 begins
23rd Dec 2010 08:15
Blue chips have had a first stab at hitting the magic 6,000 level following gains in the US overnight and are regrouping after falling just one point short. Insurer Old Mutual is among the early winners, followed by Sainsbury's and Kingfisher, but ARM is giving back a little of yesterday's big gain
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish
16th Dec 2010 16:33
It was hard going for the leading index Thursday, with gains among some of the more unfashionable blue chip names just about cancelling losses at BP and heavyweight miners. The FTSE 100 struck a new 2½-year intraday high early in the session, but that was as good as it got, and only a sudden improv
Read moreLondon afternoon: No US lift for FTSE 100
16th Dec 2010 14:54
Footsie is still looking for direction following a mixed start on Wall Street. Oil giant BP is under pressure after news last night that the US government is to sue over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill It filed a civil lawsuit against BP and eight other companies over the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exp
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie off highs as BP declines
16th Dec 2010 12:05
Footsie remains below the 5,900 point mark having earlier surpassed that level to hit 2½-year highs, with BP still holding the leading share index back. The oil giant is under pressure after news last night that the US government is to sue BP over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill It filed a civil lawsu
Read moreLondon open: Sluggish spell continues
16th Dec 2010 08:31
Shares are in indecisive mode again this morning though company updates have sparked investor interest. News last night the US government is to sue BP over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has sent shares in the oil giant lower, though not drastically. It filed a civil lawsuit against BP and eight othe
Read moreLondon pre-open: Small loss forecast
16th Dec 2010 07:39
Last night's dip in the US looks like trimming a handful of points off London's leading index first thing Thursday. The FTSE 100 is reckoned to be about 5 points lower in early deals, according to futures prices. BP will be in the spotlight. The company and its partners were handed writs by the US
Read moreUS to sue BP over Gulf of Mexico oil spill
16th Dec 2010 07:33
Shares in BP were under pressure Thursday after the US government filed a civil lawsuit against it and eight other companies over the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and the subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The complaint, which has been filed at a District Court in New Orleans, names
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: BP, Virgin Atlantic, Flybe
16th Dec 2010 06:03
The United States Government filed a civil lawsuit last night against BP and eight other companies implicated in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that killed 11 workers and led to America's worst oil spill. The lawsuit would leave the British oil company liable for significant fines under the
Read moreLondon close: Highest finish for FTSE 100 since 2008
14th Dec 2010 16:38
London's leading share index finished at its highest closing level in more than two years as buoyancy in the US helped shake Footsie out of its early sluggishness. Better than expected retail sales in the world's biggest economy in November heartened traders. Here, it was company updates that sen
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares clinging on after US open
14th Dec 2010 15:26
Shares have crept higher after a decent start on Wall Street, but the gains are modest amid a mixed reception for company updates. Whitbread, the company behind Costa Coffee and the Premier Inn hotel chain, posted another strong set of numbers though there were a few signs of weakness and the share
Read moreLondon midday: Shares little changed
14th Dec 2010 12:01
Company updates have given investors plenty to mull over today, but shares are little changed overall. Whitbread, the company behind Costa Coffee and the Premier Inn hotel chain, posted another strong set of numbers though there were a few signs of weakness and the shares have fallen. Another boo
Read more