London close: FTSE jumps 1.6% after business-friendly Budget, Fed meeting ahead
18th Mar 2015 16:41
Those expecting little market reaction to the Budget on Wednesday were probably left surprised, with stocks in the energy, financial, housing and consumer staples sectors leading the surge in London following George Osborne's statement. Dovish comments from Bank of England policymakers were also buo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Standard Chartered surges on upgrades, miners lower
18th Mar 2015 12:58
Shares in Standard Chartered surged after analysts at Barclays and Bernstein raised their ratings, highlighting the recent appointment of a former JPMorgan banker as its new boss. Barclays lifted their stance from 'equal weight' to 'overweight', while Bernstein upgraded by two notches from 'underper
Read moreLondon open: Mining stocks lift FTSE but Morrisons slumps after results
12th Mar 2015 09:05
A rebound in the mining sector pushed UK markets higher for a second day on Thursday as stocks continue to recover after a steep sell-off earlier in the week. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.75% at 6,771.66 in early deals with metal producers rising strongly after stronger-than-expected Chinese lending d
Read moreSector movers: Antofagasta leads miners lower on weak China data, metal prices
11th Mar 2015 14:35
Falling metal prices, subdued risk appetite and weak Chinese economic data were weighing on mining stocks on Wednesday, with Antofagasta among the worst performers. A surge in the dollar on increased speculation about a sooner-than-expected rate rise in the States has dampened commodity prices over
Read moreLondon close: FTSE plunges 2.5% to seven-week low as commodity stocks tank
10th Mar 2015 16:33
A stronger US dollar and falling commodity prices led to a rout in the heavyweight energy and mining sectors on Tuesday, pushing the FTSE 100 down 2.5% to its lowest level in seven weeks. The Footsie ended the day down 173.63 points at 6,702.84, with ongoing concerns about Greece further weighing on
Read moreUK mining and energy stocks slump on rising USD and declining commodity prices
10th Mar 2015 11:45
Mining and energy stocks slumped on the FTSE 100 index in London on Tuesday as commodity prices continued to erode on the back of a strengthening US dollar and persistent concerns over the health of the Chinese economy. Midday in London, shares in mining stocks slumped with Kaz Minerals down 4.9%, B
Read moreLondon close: Stocks retreat as Fed rate fears outweigh ECB stimulus
6th Mar 2015 16:36
One day after loose monetary policy in Europe pushed UK stocks to a new record high, fears about a sooner-than-expected tightening in the States dragged markets lower on Friday after a forecast-smashing US jobs report. Mining stocks were providing a drag in London as commodity prices weakened in the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Weir Group up on bid speculation, Miners lower on weak precious metal prices
6th Mar 2015 12:46
Shares in British engineering giant Weir Group rose on the back of market chatter that a cash-rich private equity consortium in the US is looking to table a 2,500p per share break-up offer for the group, compared with current prices at around 1,800p. ITV continued higher on Thursday's raised price t
Read moreLondon midday: Aviva and Friends Life lead stocks higher ahead of ECB
5th Mar 2015 11:37
UK stocks gains on Thursday with decent gains by insurers Aviva and Friends Life offsetting weakness in the mining sector, as investors took an optimistic approach ahead of a much-anticipated central bank decision in Europe. The European Central Bank (ECB) is widely expected to keep policy unchanged
Read moreLondon close: Stocks erase losses as ITV, StanChart and IAG gain
4th Mar 2015 16:41
After a weak start, UK markets managed to push into positive territory by Wednesday's close as decent gains from ITV, Standard Chartered and IAG offset some heavy falls in the mining sector. The FTSE 100 snapped three days of losses to finish up 0.44% at 6,919.24. Economic data from across the glob
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: ITV soars after beating 2014 forecasts, Fresnillo plunge on weak profits
4th Mar 2015 15:11
ITV topped the risers after the strongest advertising performance in five years helped it beat forecasts for 2014, as it hiked its annual dividend 34% and proposed an extra payout for shareholders. Numis Securities upped its rating on the broadcaster and producer from 'add' to 'buy'. Emerging market
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE continues retreat from record highs as mining stocks decline
4th Mar 2015 11:55
UK stocks were falling for the fourth straight day on Wednesday after a batch of mixed corporate earnings and global economic data. The FTSE 100 was down 0.32% at 6,866.94 by midday, on track for its lowest close since 16 February, with mining giants Fresnillo and Glencore providing a drag. Stocks
Read moreLondon open: Stocks slip on mixed earnings, Fresnillo and L&G drop
4th Mar 2015 08:23
UK stocks edged lower on Wednesday morning as gains from Standard Chartered and ITV were offset by declines by Fresnillo, Glencore and Legal & General, as investors awaited a barrage of economic data. Following a brief spell in positive territory, the FTSE 100 had fallen 0.2% to 6,875.90 after the f
Read moreLondon pre-open: Subdued start expected ahead of economic data
4th Mar 2015 07:38
After closing at their worst level in nearly two weeks, UK stocks are expected to rebound on Wednesday, albeit only slightly, as investors await key economic data. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around five points higher than Tuesday's close of 6,889.13. This was the index's worst finis
Read moreFresnillo shares tank as 2014 profits plunge 40%
4th Mar 2015 07:31
Mexican precious metals producer Fresnillo said it delivered a "reasonable performance" in 2014 in the face of lower silver and gold prices as profits plunged, sending the shares firmly into the red on Wednesday. While revenues declined 12.5% to $1.41bn, pre-tax profits dropped 40% to $251.1m as a r
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