Gas bills surge despite less usage
2nd Feb 2011 12:58
UK gas bills have soared by more than 50% over the past five years despite British households using 17% less gas, new research has found. The research, carried out by think tank Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), found households now use 16,000 kilowatt hours per year, compared to 2
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Barclays, Cocoa, Centrica...
24th Jan 2011 06:42
Bob Diamond will stamp his authority on Barclays next month, when the incoming chief executive announces a radical overhaul of the way it pays its top bankers. According to people close to the plans, Mr Diamond aims to use innovative bonds - so-called contingent convertibles, or cocos - to pay a la
Read moreLondon close: More gains for FTSE 100
12th Jan 2011 16:43
Strong financial and mining stocks helped to drive the top share index higher Wednesday, while M&A activity and company updates had some FTSE 250 constituents soaring. HSBC went well, helped by a "buy" recommendation from Barclays Capital, but fellow banks Standard Chartered and Barclays were also
Read moreSector movers: Banks wanted as eurozone fears ease
12th Jan 2011 15:25
The banking sector is performing well Wednesday as eurozone debt contagion fears recede. HSBC is the best performing financial, helped by a "buy" recommendation from Barclays Capital, but fellow banks Standard Chartered and Barclays are also wanted. The sector responded positively to the outcome o
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners and banks lead the advance
12th Jan 2011 14:35
Footsie is continuing to keep its head above water, not to mention 6,000, but it is largely thanks to the strength of miners and financial stocks, with the latter in demand after Portugal's bond auction proved relatively successful. HSBC is the best performing financial, helped by a "buy" recommend
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks add more gains
12th Jan 2011 12:07
Miners continue to keep the FTSE 100 in the blue, adding to yesterday's gains, while three stocks in the FTSE 250 are posting triple-digit gains. Supermarket giant J Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of customers desp
Read moreLondon open: Early gains for blue chips
12th Jan 2011 08:50
London has pushed on again in early dealings with miners leading the way and a mixed morning so far for retailers. Supermarket giant J Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of customers despite the snow. Like for like sa
Read moreLondon pre-open: Mixed start seen
12th Jan 2011 07:35
After yesterday's solid showing London looks to be in consolidation mode with City traders predicting the Footsie will open little changed from last night's close. Supermarket giant Sainsbury had its best Christmas ever, with better than expected sales, a growing market share and a record number of
Read moreCentrica has Rough plea rejected
12th Jan 2011 07:12
Centrica's appeal to have competition restrictions lifted from its Rough gas storage facility in the North Sea has been rejected by the Competition Commission. Rough provides the majority of Great Britain's gas storage for the winter. When it acquired the facility in 2002, Centrica made several und
Read moreE.On ups electricity and gas prices
11th Jan 2011 12:04
Energy firm E.On is to raise electricity and gas prices next month, making EDF Energy the only one of the 'big six' energy suppliers not to have raised its tariffs this year. E.On will implement a 9% increase in electricity prices and a 3% rise in gas prices from 4 February. The new tariffs will me
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 shrugs off weather woes
20th Dec 2010 16:44
Shares held onto gains to close in positive territory despite the bad weather hitting travel and retail stocks. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers fell. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares stay buoyant despite weather hit
20th Dec 2010 15:25
Footsie is still hovering around 5,900 points following a mixed start on Wall Street. Snow-affected stocks such as British Airways and many of the major retailers have trimmed losses. Arctic conditions are hurting retailers at their busiest and most crucial time of the year. Next, Marks & Spencer,
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie tops 5,900
20th Dec 2010 12:00
Things turned around dramatically in the hour before lunch as the session came alive after a rather dull start, nudging a 2½-year high by midday. Defensive issues are still going well. National Grid, Scottish & Southern Energy and British Gas owner Centrica are expected to benefit from the cold sn
Read moreGreen energy drive to lift electricity bills
16th Dec 2010 13:05
Electricity bills could climb by as much as £500 a year as the government seeks to push energy companies towards low carbon power plants, according to analysts. The price comparison website uSwitch said that taxing traditional energy sources such as coal and gas to pay for investment in renewables
Read moreNpower raises prices by 5.1%
10th Dec 2010 15:36
The cold snap may have eased, but there is no respite for electricity and gas users with Npower raising its tariffs just a day before a price hike from British Gas kicks in. The increase also comes just a fortnight after regulator Ofgem launched a new investigation into energy companies after fresh
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