London close: Stocks finish flat on global economic data comes in mixed
21st May 2015 16:42
A barrage of mixed economic data from across the globe had an equally mixed impact on the markets on Thursday, with UK stocks finishing broadly flat after swinging between gains and losses for most of the session. Mining shares were lifted by stimulus speculation in China while the energy sector was
Read moreShell to propose BG Group auditor EY as its new assessor
21st May 2015 14:31
Royal Dutch Shell, which is currently in the process of acquiring BG Group, will be recommending the latter's auditor Ernst & Young (EY) to shareholders as the Anglo-Dutch oil company's new auditor for the year ending 31 December, 2016. Confirming the move, EY said the proposal would be made to Shel
Read moreWednesday broker round-up
20th May 2015 13:36
BHP Billiton: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform and 1,350p target. Associated British Foods: Credit Suisse reiterates outperform and 3,250 target. BP: RBC Capital ups target to 500p from 490p and reiterates outperform. Royal Dutch Shell: Canaccord Genuity reiterates buy and 2,275p target. Vedan
Read moreUK oil majors eyeing enhanced partnerships in Mexico, says Pemex official
19th May 2015 15:06
Blue chips BP, BG Group and Shell, along with midcap Premier Oil are eyeing further opportunities in Mexico as the country's drive to attract foreign direct investment and private sector participation in the oil and gas sector moves up a gear. A senior official from Pemex, the country's dominant nat
Read moreLondon close: Stocks end with small gains but upside limited
18th May 2015 17:02
London's FTSE 100 managed to finish in the green after a choppy session, though upside was limited by continuing uncertainty in Greece. The Footsie settled 8.38 points higher at 6,968.87, ending well below the intraday high of 7,015.49 but firmly above the intraday low of 6,931.64. While mining sto
Read moreBroker tips: BP, Lloyds, BHP Billiton, Weir Group, Bwin.party
18th May 2015 11:50
Goldman Sachs has cut its stance on the integrated oil sector from 'neutral' to 'cautious' and lowered UK major BP specifically from 'neutral' to 'sell', after reducing its crude price forecasts. "This change is likely to put severe pressure on the integrated oils, leaving them too high on the cost
Read moreBP dividend at risk as oil prices weaken, Goldman downgrades to 'sell'
18th May 2015 09:16
Goldman Sachs has cut its stance on the integrated oil sector from 'neutral' to 'cautious' and lowered UK major BP specifically from 'neutral' to 'sell', after reducing its crude price forecasts. "With shale break-evens falling US$20/bl in a year, and deflation taking hold of the industry, we lower
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: miners and oil stocks dominate fallers, ITV rebounds
15th May 2015 12:28
The UK blue chip index retreated on Friday as a calmer bond market and favourable British construction data was overpowered by a weaker commodities market. Sector-wise, oil and industrial metal stocks provided the biggest drag on the FTSE, dwarfing the boost provided by real estate and travel. At 3:
Read moreSector movers: Natural resources stocks weigh
15th May 2015 11:43
London-listed natural resources related stocks took another knock on Friday, as the Chinese economy continued to send mixed signals, Greece weighed on sentiment, and oversupply in the oil markets returned to hound trading. At 15:00 BST, the FTSE 100 was marginally in the red by 0.27% or 18.53 points
Read moreLondon open: Stocks edge higher as corporate updates impress
15th May 2015 08:54
UK stocks edged higher on Friday morning ahead of what is expected to be another quiet session, though trading volumes are expected to pick up slightly. The FTSE 100 was up 0.38% at 6,999.81 early on with corporate updates from a number of blue chips being warmly-received by investors. Markets acro
Read moreBP appoints ex-MI6 chief Sir John Sawers
14th May 2015 12:48
Former UK secret intelligence service M16 head Sir John Sawers joined BP as a non-executive director on Thursday. Sawers left MI6's top job in November 2014 after holding the position for five years, and will not be the first former intelligence specialist to work for the energy company. BP's cha
Read moreCape confident on annual targets, warns about volatility
12th May 2015 11:31
Industrial services provider Cape remained confident of meeting its annual expectations after putting in a solid performance in the first quarter. The London-listed company said its overall trading had been in line with expectations, although the delay of key UK maintenance contracts resulted in a s
Read moreLondon open: Miners lead stocks higher after China rate cut
11th May 2015 09:14
UK stocks extended gains on Monday with the Footsie once again nearing record highs, as mining stocks reacted positively to another rate cut in China. After surging 2.3% on Friday in the aftermath of the Conservative's election victory, the FTSE 100 was up a further 0.37% on Monday morning at 7,073.
Read moreSector movers: Oil and mining stocks fall as dollar strength hits commodities
7th May 2015 17:17
Stocks in the UK oil and mining sectors on Thursday as political uncertainty prompted an aversion to risk on London's stock market. A stronger dollar was also to blame for falls in the resources categories as crude, gold and silver prices weakened. Data released during the session showed that conti
Read moreLondon close: Late rally not enough as UK stocks fall on election day
7th May 2015 16:33
Stocks rallied off five-week lows on Thursday afternoon but still finished firmly in the red, as election-day jitters in the UK and volatility in the European bond markets weighed on sentiment. The FTSE 100 ended the session down 0.67% at 6,886.95 having dropped as much as 1.8% in the morning sessio
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