FTSE movers: Pru falls on fundraising worries
1st Mar 2010 15:15
Prudential dominates the Footsie today with a sharp share price fall but the overall index is still higher on the day. Prudential may pay $35bn (£23bn) for the Asian business of troubled US insurer AIG, which would make it the biggest insurer in Asia. This has unsettled investors. Any deal would
Read moreSector movers: Miners on the march
1st Mar 2010 14:55
Miners are in demand following a rise in copper prices after the earthquake in Chile, the world's number one producer of the red metal. The earthquake shut down up to a fifth of the South American country's copper mining operations, but mines have already resumed operations. Kazakhmys, Fresnillo,
Read moreLondon afternoon: Copper-bottomed advance
1st Mar 2010 14:15
Gains on mining stocks are more than offsetting losses in an insurance sector that has been rocked by the prospect of a huge rights call from Prudential. Confirmation that Pru may pay $35bn (£23bn) for the Asian business of troubled US insurer AIG has unsettled the insurers. Any deal would need to
Read moreLondon midday: Pru deal casts shadow
1st Mar 2010 12:01
Gains have been eroded steadily through the morning to leave the leading index up by a baker's dozen as Prudential slumps on rights issue fears and miners step back. Confirmation that Pru may pay $35bn (£23bn) for the Asian business of troubled US insurer AIG ate into London's early 60-point lead.
Read moreLondon open: Footsie strong despite Pru cash call looming
1st Mar 2010 08:46
Leading shares have started the week on a firm footing with miners strong, but the prospect of the Prudential shortly unveiling the largest rights issue ever seen in the UK has unsettled other life groups. Prudential is currently suspended while the details are sorted out. The group has confirmed w
Read moreLondon close: Footsie suffers lack of confidence
23rd Feb 2010 16:21
A terrible report on US consumer confidence sent Wall Street spiralling lower, dragging London's leading index deep into the red late on. UK shares started well enough, but weakened steadily through the morning and spent much of the afternoon dipping in and out of negative territory until the US da
Read moreLondon close: Strong finish for FTSE 100
29th Jan 2010 16:38
Footsie gave up a recent weak spell to finish the week with good gains. Whitbread was the star performer. Following an investor day yesterday, Barclays Capital raised its price target on the Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner to 1,700p from 1,600p. The broker thinks Whitbread will benefit from new
Read moreLondon midday: RBS unit sued for $8bn
29th Jan 2010 12:10
After a mid-morning dip blue-chips are on the rise again, though it is not the sort of advance that is likely to change investors' view that January was a month to forget. For once, the miners are not moving in lock step with each other. Sector giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are firmer, while go
Read moreLondon afternoon: Banks lead rally
28th Jan 2010 14:31
Blue chips put on a spurt over the lunch time session despite drugs giant Astra issuing disappointing fourth quarter figures. The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals firm saw fourth quarter earnings rise 10% but warned that its predicted 2010 revenues would be hit by the loss of exclusive rights to sell
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie flat after mixed earnings news
28th Jan 2010 12:13
Blue chips are struggling to make headway in the face of mixed company news today. Pay TV and Internet service provider British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) is one of the best performers after it said it had a strong second quarter with revenues coming in marginally ahead of expectations. Turnover in
Read moreLondon open: Footsie fights back
28th Jan 2010 08:20
London's top stocks have opened higher on Thursday, winning back some recent losses in early dealings. Pay TV and Internet service provider British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) is one of the best performers after it said it had a strong second quarter with revenues coming in marginally ahead of expecta
Read moreLondon close: Footsie weakness continues
27th Jan 2010 17:00
Shares continued their weak run of recent days, with the FTSE 100 ending the day deep in the red. Mining stocks fell on enduring concerns that the Chinese authorities will introduce further measures aimed at cooling down the country's overheating economy. Xstrata, Fresnillo and Anglo American are t
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks stuck in reverse
27th Jan 2010 13:38
London's attempts at a rally fizzled out over the lunch time session though the Footsie is trying once more at the mid-afternoon point to climb the mountain. Mining stocks continue to impede the blue-chip index's progress, however, on enduring concerns that the Chinese authorities will introduce f
Read moreLondon midday: Miners pull blue chips lower
27th Jan 2010 12:02
Footsie is trying to rally after an early sell-off on fears that China is planning fiscal measures to cool growth. Mining stocks once again feature prominently among the laggards, with Xstrata, Fresnillo and Anglo American the worst hit. Mining giant Vedanta Resources is also lower despite seeing
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Resource stocks undermine Footsie
26th Jan 2010 14:18
China worries continue to weigh on miners, with the likes of Fresnillo, Xstrata and Kazakhmys leading the sector lower. Reports that several Chinese banks increased their reserves after being told to last week by China's central bank hit an already jittery market for mining shares. Energy stocks f
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