BT brings forward pension deficit payment
30th Mar 2011 08:02
Telecoms giant BT has brought forward the date of the next contribution to its pension deficit by nine months, pumping more than half a billion pounds into the scheme in March. It had been due to pay the money in December, but decided it was economically beneficial to do so now, utilising existing
Read moreLondon close: Stocks hold on to gains
21st Mar 2011 16:17
The FTSE 100 remained broadly flat since 0900, holding on to gains made in early trading. Sentiment was boosted by signs of progress being made in the handling of the nuclear crisis. Two reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan were successfully brought into cold shut down unde
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks consolidate gains
21st Mar 2011 14:53
Stocks have largely been in consolidation mode in the afternoon session after a strong performance this morning. Telecoms titan Vodafone is a high riser on the back of AT&T's $39bn bid for Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA. If the bid is allowed, the enlarged firm will become number one, but both AT&
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks back on the climb
21st Mar 2011 12:23
Footsie finished the morning 10 points or so below its high for the day after regaining impetus following a mild spell of profit taking mid-morning. Telecoms titan Vodafone is a high riser on the back of AT&T's $39bn bid for Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA. If the bid is allowed, the enlarged firm
Read moreLondon open: Telecoms power forward on AT&T move
21st Mar 2011 08:50
Footsie has opened brightly with telecoms stocks powering ahead on the back of AT&T's huge $39bn bid for Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA. Vodafone is top riser as analysts have wasted little time working out what it means in value terms for Vodafone's 45% stake in current US market leader Verizon
Read moreBroker tips: BT, Old Mutual, Intertek
9th Mar 2011 12:55
Credit Suisse remains positive towards telecoms giant BT after the third quarter results beat consensus estimates and highlighted the continuing improvement in fixed-line loss and retail broadband trends. The broker notes that its operational momentum is improving: "UK market lines returned to grow
Read moreBroker snap: BT continues to improve
9th Mar 2011 10:48
Credit Suisse remains positive towards telecoms giant BT after the third quarter results beat consensus estimates and highlighted the continuing improvement in fixed-line loss and retail broadband trends. The broker notes that its operational momentum is improving: "UK market lines returned to grow
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 rallies to flat finish
8th Mar 2011 16:53
The FTSE 100 rallied strongly to close flat after a volatile. Traders were unsure how to react to continuing violence in Libya and indications from Opec that the cartel will lift oil production. The oil price eased, but so did metals, which dealt a blow to the mining sector, particularly precious m
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners drag down Footsie
8th Mar 2011 14:34
Mining stocks are weighing heavily on Footsie as the price of gold and copper moved lower today. Precious metal miners Randgold Resources and African Barrick are the big fallers in the sector, but even copper miner Antofagasta is under the cosh, despite announcing it is to pay a huge special divid
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 still seeking direction
8th Mar 2011 12:03
Shares are still seeking direction, with the Libyan turmoil continuing to dominate the headlines. US light crude for April delivery fell $1.60 to $103.84 a barrel. Saudi Arabia and others are going to raise output to keep the global economic recovery on track. The easing in prices came after Kuwai
Read moreLondon open: Oil to dominate again
8th Mar 2011 08:47
Oil and Libya are set to dominate again after yesterday's frantic trading on oil markets. US light crude for April delivery is currently down $1.60 at $103.84 a barrel. Saudi Arabia and others are going to raise output to keep the global economic recovery on track. That has taken some of the pressu
Read moreSunday tips round-up: African Aura, 3i Infra...
13th Feb 2011 11:56
African Aura is very interesting because it has exposure to two commodities with a positive outlook. The company plans to split into two in the next few months, which is likely to lead to a re-rating of the shares. The two commodities are iron ore and gold. African Aura has a joint venture with Rus
Read moreSector movers: Tech stocks wanted, again
7th Feb 2011 16:02
ARM Holdings is giving the technology hardware and equipment sector a lift Monday afternoon. The sector has seen a 15% rise in the last week since the chip giant released its fourth quarter results. Booming demand for mobile phones, tablet computers and other low-powered devices meant 2010 saw the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners power Footsie rise
7th Feb 2011 14:29
Miners are strong today and Xstrata is leading the way forward. Chip designer ARM continues to rise despite even more share sales by directors and senior management. Shares in BT have fallen following the news that non-executive director Patricia Hewitt has bought 1,837 shares at 188.33p each.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Utilities strengthen
4th Feb 2011 13:35
Utilities dominate the risers in the Footsie. Severn Trent, United Utilities and the newly enlarged International Power head the risers. BT Group continues to strengthen after yesterday's third quarter figures. International Consolidated Airlines continues to fall. The share price has fallen b
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