London close: Stocks sink to three-week low on policy uncertainty
27th Sep 2013 16:32
A cautious start turned into a market-wide sell-off by the close of trade on Friday as nervous investors booked profits ahead of the weekend. The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index finished 52.93 points lower at 6,512.66, its worst closing level in three weeks. The last time it closed lower was on Septe
Read moreSector movers: Miners bear brunt of market sell-off
27th Sep 2013 15:20
Mining stocks were bearing the brunt of the market-wide sell-off on Friday as traders adopted a cautious approach ahead of the weekend. Commodity prices were higher across the board today but that wasn't enough to increase investors' appetite for risk as the resource-heavy FTSE 100 dropped 1% in af
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
26th Sep 2013 08:22
African Barrick Gold: Deutsche Bank ups target price from 137p to 145p and maintains a hold recommendation. African Minerals: Macquarie reduces target price from 307p to 280p and reiterates an outperform rating. Deutsche Bank cuts target price from 450p to 423p, while its buy recommendation is kept
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Carnival continues to fall on poor Q3 results
25th Sep 2013 15:23
Cruise operator Carnival was a heavy faller for the second day in a row after the company disappointed with its third-quarter results and guidance for the full year. Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating on the stock this morning from 'equalweight' to 'underweight' and cut its full-year earnings pe
Read moreLondon close: Stocks up but gains limited on Fed uncertainty, mixed data
24th Sep 2013 16:31
Markets closed slightly higher on Tuesday afternoon after a choppy day though upside was limited as investors focused on mixed data and the uncertain future for Federal Reserve monetary policy. Last week's surprise decision by the Fed to maintain its stimulus programme is still fresh in investors'
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Sports Direct and Coca-Cola recover after recent weakness
24th Sep 2013 15:23
FTSE 100 newcomers Sports Direct and Coca-Cola HBC were performing well, rebounding after their recent weakness since entering the top-tier index. Banking stocks were also providing a lift, with Barclays and RBS making gains. Lloyds meanwhile was benefiting from a ratings upgrade by Investec from '
Read moreLondon midday: Market flat after German data comes in mixed
24th Sep 2013 11:30
Stocks were trading broadly flat on Tuesday morning with markets lacking direction after mixed economic data from Germany and concerns about the US economy. The German IFO business climate indicator for the month of September edged up only slightly, yet expectations for the next six months were sli
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat ahead of economic data
24th Sep 2013 08:30
Stocks opened flat on Tuesday morning as ongoing uncertainty over Federal Reserve monetary policy and concerns over the US debt ceiling continue to dominate market sentiment. Investors were also choosing a cautious approach ahead of business confidence data from Germany this morning, as well as Ame
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks lower on German elections, US debt ceiling
23rd Sep 2013 11:18
Elections in Germany, an uncertain outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy and a debate over the US debt ceiling weighed on markets on Monday morning, as traders shrugged off upbeat data from China and the Eurozone. The HSBC/Markit flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturin
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Sep 2013 09:06
African Barrick Gold: Citi takes target price from 93p to 119p, but still recommends selling. African Minerals: Citi increases target price from 320p to 330p and maintains a buy recommendation. Antofagasta: Citi shifts target price from 780p to 790p, while its sell recommendation remains unchanged
Read moreLondon close: Stocks hit by Bullard comments as post-Fed rally fades
20th Sep 2013 16:39
The exuberant post-Fed mood quickly faded on Friday with comments from one US policymaker dampening stocks before the close of trade. Risk appetite was also scaled back as caution set in ahead of the German elections at the weekend with the outcome still highly uncertain. The FTSE 100 finished 28.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tate & Lyle hit by Credit Suisse rating cut
20th Sep 2013 15:02
Shares in food and sweeteners manufacturer Tate & Lyle were falling heavily on Friday after the stock's rating was cut by Credit Suisse from 'outperform' to 'neutral'. The bank said its greatest concern is a proposal in Mexico to tax soft drinks which would reduce demand the group's high-fructose
Read moreSector movers: Miners, banks fall as investors scale back risk
20th Sep 2013 13:57
The mining and banking sectors were the worst performing categories on Friday afternoon as traders scaled back risk appetite going into the weekend. With the excitement of the surprise Federal Reserve decision now over - cyclical stocks gained strongly on Thursday after the central bank held off fr
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks pause ahead of German elections
20th Sep 2013 11:36
Stocks were trading broadly flat by Friday lunchtime as markets paused for breath in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's surprise decision not to taper quantitative easing, though upside was limited ahead of the German elections this weekend. After a weak start, the FTSE 100 was more or less unc
Read moreLondon open: Markets pull back as post-Fed rally fades
20th Sep 2013 08:17
Markets pulled back on Friday morning after a sharp rise the day before in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's surprise decision not to taper quantitative easing. The FTSE 100 slipped slightly in early trade, falling 0.1% to 6,617, retreating after a 1% jump pushed it to 6,625.39 on Thursday. S
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