London close: Shares in late dive
7th Apr 2011 16:43
Shares were little changed for much of the day as central banks in London and Frankfurt acted as expected, but another earthquake in Japan sent jitters through markets ahead of the close. The Bank of England kept its key lending rate unchanged. The European Central Bank, however, stuck to its scrip
Read moreLondon afternoon: FTSE 250 stocks take a bashing
7th Apr 2011 15:12
The blue-chip index moved into positive territory over the lunch time trading session as the Bank of England removed all doubt about its current focus on the health of the economy, rather than the inflation risk, and kept its key lending rate unchanged. The European Central Bank, however, stuck to
Read moreLondon pre-open: More woe for retailers
7th Apr 2011 07:36
The market looks set to crawl higher at the outset with City traders predicting the top share index will open six or seven points higher despite further evidence from results this morning of hard times on the high street. In the first quarter of 2011 international recruitment firm Hays saw like-for
Read moreOverseas markets drive Hays's growth
7th Apr 2011 07:02
In the first quarter of 2011 international recruitment firm Hays saw like for like growth in net fees in every region except the UK & Ireland, where spending cuts in the public sector are starting to bite. Continental Europe & Rest of World was the fastest growing region, showing year on year like
Read moreThursday preview: BoE rate decision, Halfords, Hays
6th Apr 2011 17:13
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will announce its decision on its key lending rate and also on the quantitative easing programme at noon on Thursday, some 45 minutes ahead of the announcement by the European Central Bank (ECB) of its decision on its key lending rate. Unlike th
Read moreHays price-fixing fine slashed
1st Apr 2011 15:19
A fine imposed on recruitment group Hays by the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) has been slashed. Hays and six other recruiters were fined for fixing prices and collectively boycotting another company as they supplied candidates to the construction industry. The fine was reduced to £5.88m from £30.36
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: HSBC, Senior, Bloomsbury...
1st Mar 2011 06:43
HSBC looks like a good hold with a high dividend yield of 3.9% and a forecast price earnings multiple for 2011 of 11.2. It is true that Asia offers fantastic earnings opportunities, but there are cheaper ways to gain that exposure and with European recovery priced so cheaply at the moment - Lloyds
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 rally falls short
28th Feb 2011 16:51
The top share index failed to sustain a rally that came on the back of strength in the US and closed a few points lower. A slight easing in the oil price lightened the mood. Crude had edged up in the morning session amid continuing turmoil in Libya and the spread of protests to the Gulf state of Om
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie waxes as oil price wanes
28th Feb 2011 14:29
Shares staged a recovery over lunch, boosted by indications of a firmer start on Wall Street and a weakening of the oil price. Oil prices had edged up in the morning session amid continuing turmoil in Libya and the spread of protests to the Gulf state of Oman. Brent crude for April delivery was abo
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Hiscox among the high risers
28th Feb 2011 14:13
Shareholders at Bermuda-based specialist insurer Hiscox are pleased after the group increased its annual dividend by 10%. Gross written premiums were little changed at £1,433m in 2010 from £1,435m in 2009, while profit before tax fell to £211.4m from £320.6m the year before. Recruitment firm Hays i
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stuck lower
28th Feb 2011 12:05
Shares remain under pressure as the turmoil continues in the Arab world. Company updates have also been given a slightly frosty reception. Oil prices have edged up again amid continuing turmoil in Libya and the spread of protests to the Gulf state of Oman. Brent crude for April delivery was above $
Read moreLondon open: Oil worries hit blue chips
28th Feb 2011 09:02
London has opened lower on fears of unrest contagion in the Middle East and the possible impact that will have on global oil supplies. A cautious trading update from AB Foods and poorly received results from HSBC have added to the poor start. HSBC doubled its profits to over $19bn last year as bad
Read moreLondon pre-open: Rally to continue
28th Feb 2011 07:38
Having pared last week's losses with a strong performance on Friday the market is again in optimistic mood this morning, though it looks unlikely that the scale of Friday's gains will be seen at the outset today. City traders predict the blue-chip index will creep up 8 points to 6,009. Publishing
Read moreAsia Pacific drives Hays growth
28th Feb 2011 07:03
International recruitment firm Hays shrugged off a workaday performance back in Blighty to post a sharp increase in interim profits. The group hailed an "excellent performance" in Asia Pacific, which delivered net fee growth of 38% as part of a group performance where net fees rose 23%, or 20% on a
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Premier Foods extends gains
16th Feb 2011 14:36
Premier Foods is extending gains on yesterday's results after it announced that net debt fell £103m over the course of the year to £1,261m. However, total sales in 2010 eased to £2.57bn, from £2.66bn in 2009, a fall of 2.5%. Not far behind is Morgan Crucible, which set itself a target of doubling u
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