London open: 5,900 in sight as Footsie starts strongly
1st Aug 2011 08:32
Only four stocks were in the red on Monday morning as the blue chip index recovered from a week of losses on the back of the back-and-forth debt ceiling debates in the US. However, the saga is apparently close to its end after President Barack Obama and congressional leaders agreed on a deal to put
Read moreLondon pre-open: Debt ceiling deal set for warm welcome
1st Aug 2011 07:33
With the US debt ceiling saga apparently close to its end, at least until the world's biggest economy needs to up its borrowing requirement again, equities on this side of the pond are set for a relief rally after Friday's fall. President Barack Obama and US congressional leaders have agreed on a
Read moreProfits drop at Hammerson, rental income higher
1st Aug 2011 07:10
Retail-focused real estate group Hammerson saw profits plummet by 42.6% in the half year ended 30 June, despite net rental income coming in higher. The firm, which owns shopping centres Brent Cross and the Bullring, reported the pre-tax profit dropped from £335.6m to £192.8m, as revaluation gains o
Read moreWeek Ahead: Banks, insurers, properties, base rates
29th Jul 2011 13:21
The end-quarter results season is fully in its stride, with trading updates expected from the high street banks, as well as reports from insurers and miners. On top of that, there are some heavy-duty economic announcements, in the form of interest rate decisions from the Bank of England and the Eu
Read moreLondon close: BSkyB leads slide after US jobs disappointment
8th Jul 2011 16:49
Stocks finished firmly in the red after disappointing jobs data from the US, with satellite broadcaster BSkyB leading the slide as the fallout from the News of the World phone hacking scandal continues. Newspaper group News Corporation, which hopes to take over the 60% of BSkyB it doesn't already o
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BSkyB drops over takeover worries
8th Jul 2011 14:38
Satellite broadcaster BSkyB is unsurprisingly at the bottom of the pile. The recent turmoil at Rupert Murdoch's News International, which has closed down its Sunday tabloid the News of the World, has sparked fears concerning a delay, or worse, of its proposed takeover of the satellite broadcaster.
Read moreLondon midday: BSkyB drags FTSE 100 lower
8th Jul 2011 12:07
The top share index is oscillating between gains and losses, with satellite broadcaster BSkyB the heaviest faller after the fallout from the turmoil at its suitor News International. News Corporation, which hopes to take over the 60% of BSkyB it doesn't already own, last night dramatically announc
Read moreLondon open: Financials lead gains
8th Jul 2011 08:40
Financial stocks were leading the risers on Friday morning, as the Footsie built on gains made on Thursday. Banking peers Barclays, Lloyds and RBS were among the best performers. Following suit were insurers Old Mutual, Aviva, Resolution, Prudential and RSA Insurance. Both Hammerson and British La
Read moreLondon pre-open: Firm start foreseen
8th Jul 2011 07:41
There has been a small flurry of activity from property groups, making Friday morning a bit more action packed than normal. Both Hammerson and British Land have announced deals. Property company British Land is to buy a portfolio of 17 freehold and leasehold racket clubs from French bank Societe Ge
Read moreHammerson snaps up city office for £100m
8th Jul 2011 07:05
Real estate investment trust Hammerson has acquired a 999-year leasehold interest in a prime London location for £100m, including costs. The company, which operates primarily in the retail sector - owning well-known shopping centres such as Brent Cross in London and the Bullring in Birmingham - ann
Read moreLondon close: Footsie hits two-month high
7th Jul 2011 16:28
The Footsie finished at levels not seen since early May on Thursday after the Bank of England rate decision and a strong start in the US buoyed sentiment in London. At midday, Bank of England policy makers left interest rates on hold at the record low of 0.5%. The lack of movement was largely expec
Read moreSector movers: Mining sector rises as metals prices increase
7th Jul 2011 16:05
The miners were making gains on Thursday, as metals prices headed higher. As of 16:10, copper futures were 2.11% higher at $442.65/lb, while silver was 1.25% up at $36.365 per troy ounce. FTSE 100 mining peers Antofagasta, Kazakhmys, Fresnillo, ENRC and Rio Tinto were all in demand. Sector peer B
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Man Group rises after impressive quarter
7th Jul 2011 15:30
Man Group is the high riser of the day, gaining over 3.5% in the afternoon, after reporting record sales in its first quarter. Funds under management at the hedge fund manager rose to $71bn at the end of June, from $69.1bn at the end of March, as the group racked up sales of $9.0bn to record a net
Read moreSector movers: Land Securities boosts real estate trusts
18th May 2011 15:36
The real estate investment trust sector is the best performing sector after full-year results from Land Securities. Property giant Land Securities is towering above the rest of the FTSE 100 after it posted a sharp rise in profits and net asset value in the year to 31 March and predicted continued g
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Real estate stocks on the rise
18th May 2011 14:54
Property giant Land Securities is towering above the rest of the FTSE 100 after it posted a sharp rise in profits and net asset value in the year to 31 March and predicted continued growth as the recovery proceeds. Pre-tax profits climbed to £1.227bn from £1.069bn the previous year, while the net as
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