FTSE 100 movers: Resolution unwanted after downgrade
18th Apr 2011 13:43
Insurance giant Resolution is the worst performer on the FTSE 100, after being downgraded from 'buy' to 'neutral' by UBS. The broker cuts its rating given the weak operational performance, mixed valuation picture and strong recent share price performance. The share price is left at 300p. Also lowe
Read moreLondon close: Retailers lift Footsie higher
13th Apr 2011 16:08
While the Footsie came off its daily highs, it still managed to post a gain of close to 1% as strong results from ASOS boosted the retail sector higher. Meanwhile, stocks were recovering from the 89 point sell-off yesterday, its worst one-day fall since mid-March. Strong growth overseas helped the
Read moreLondon close: Shares slump as worries resurface
12th Apr 2011 16:38
The top share index's losses were almost in the triple digits by the close of trade after a steady day of losses amid worries over global economic growth. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised down its
Read moreLondon afternoon: More losses after weak US start
12th Apr 2011 15:31
The top share index has run into further selling after a poor start on Wall Street. Worries over global growth have re-emerged. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised down its growth expectations this y
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 slips below 6,000
12th Apr 2011 12:04
The top share index is back below 6,000 points as concerns over global economic growth weigh on sentiment. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised down its growth expectations this year from 2%to 1.7%. Me
Read moreLondon open: Global growth worries hit stocks
12th Apr 2011 08:22
Stocks are on the back foot after the International Monetary Fund slashed its growth forecasts for the US and amid renewed worries over Japan after its earthquake. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. Nor did Britain emerge unscathed. The IMF revised
Read moreLondon pre-open: IMF casts a shadow
12th Apr 2011 07:51
Stocks are set to open on the back foot after the International Monetary Fund slashed its growth forecasts for the US. The IMF lowered its US 2011 GDP growth forecast by -0.2 percentage points, to 2.8%. The FTSE 100 is expected to open down 41 points at 6,012. There was more good news from Brazil
Read moreHSBC sells Mexican pensions management business
12th Apr 2011 07:05
Grupo Financiero HSBC, a Mexican subsidiary of global banking giant HSBC, has agreed to sell its pension funds management business, HSBC Afore, for around $198m. US firm Principal Financial Group has agreed to pay 2,360m Mexican pesos in cash for HSBC Afore. The two parties will work together to en
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: HSBC, BP, Lib Dems on banks
8th Apr 2011 06:03
The US Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to force HSBC to reveal the names of thousands of the bank's wealthy clients who are suspected of tax evasion in the US. The request is the strongest sign yet that US authorities have broadened their scrutiny of potential tax dodgers beyond the
Read moreLondon 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 moreSector movers: Talvivaara weighs down industrial metals stocks
7th Apr 2011 14:43
The industrial metals and mining sector is the worst performing sector today, led lower by Finnish miner Talvivaara. The company lowered annual production guidance to take into account longer than previously anticipated maintenance breaks, and believes it realistic to anticipate a production shortf
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks dominate risers
7th Apr 2011 14:12
The banking sector is making ground, offsetting losses by miners. Blue chip lenders are firmer in London after the Bank of England resisted calls to raise interest rates. The benchmark rate is unchanged at a record low of 0.5% and the quantitative easing programme has been maintained at £200bn. H
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: M&S tops the risers
6th Apr 2011 13:12
Retailers are providing a boost on Wednesday, with Marks & Spencer performing best among the blue chips. The group saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, though the fall wasn't as severe as expected and overall sales growth was mainta
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to retreat
23rd Mar 2011 07:33
Selling on Wall Street last night and in Asia this morning look like knocking London back for a second day. Worries about the nuclear situation in Japan and violence in Libya and the Middle East are still unsettling investors. Caution ahead of today's Budget speech will also be keeping some on the
Read more