London midday: FTSE 100 down one per cent as volatility continues
31st May 2013 11:26
The volatile trade seen over the past week continued on Friday with investors turning nervous ahead of another raft of economic indicators from the US later on. "European markets have taken a leg lower this morning as traders look to scale back risk heading into the month's end, with the central ba
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Darty, UK banks, German banks...
29th May 2013 06:40
Electricals retailer Darty could slash jobs in an effort to cut costs in its core French region as it copes with a weaker economy, The Independent reports. The Guardian says that Britain's 'Big Four' banks - comprised of Lloyds, HSBC, RBS and Barclays - will have cut 189,000 jobs worldwide in just
Read moreLondon close: Stimulus hopes drive triple-digit gains for FTSE 100
28th May 2013 16:49
While hopes have now faded for a long-term continuation of stimulus measures in the US, speculation surrounding continued monetary easing in Europe and Japan sparked a huge surge on equity markets on Tuesday. After reaching a 13-year high on Wednesday, the FTSE 100 dropped sharply in the latter par
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks bounce back after recent sell-off
28th May 2013 11:20
UK markets were registering impressive gains on Tuesday morning with hopes of continued monetary easing in the Eurozone lifting sentiment as stocks bounced back following last week's sharp sell-off. After reaching a 13-year high on Wednesday, the FTSE 100 dropped sharply in the latter part of last
Read moreFormer HSBC executive takes helm of Co-op Bank
28th May 2013 11:14
The Co-operative Bank's shares retreated Tuesday as the company announced the appointment of former HSBC banker Niall Booker as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Booker will replace Barry Tootell, who left after a downgrade by Moody's forced the lender to deny it could need a government bailo
Read moreLondon open: Stocks surge as markets play catch up after long weekend
28th May 2013 08:30
UK markets surged in early trading on Tuesday with traders wasting no time in playing catch up as they returned to their desks following the three-day weekend. After reaching a 13-year high on Wednesday, the FTSE 100 dropped sharply in the latter part of last week on fears of a scaling back of stim
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: RBS, Fiat, The Co-op...
28th May 2013 06:30
The Telegraph says that RBS is preparing its restructuring boss Nathan Bostock for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role as part of the company's long-term plans to replace Stephen Hester. Shares in Italian carmaker Fiat raced higher on Monday on speculation that the company was close to a deal to
Read moreLondon close: Stocks off again, Yen keeps strengthening
24th May 2013 16:15
London equities finished lower for a second straight day, with investors being put off by the recent gyrations in the market, although the early close of some US markets ahead of the Memorial Day weekend may also have played a role. Market commentary is a tad divided regarding the direction which
Read moreSector movers: Defensives thrive as investors scale back risk
24th May 2013 15:27
With market sentiment still fragile following the heavy sell-off of the past two days, defensive sectors were thriving on Friday as investors refrained from taking risk ahead of the long weekend. Concerns about a scaling back of stimulus in the US and a slowdown in China saw the FTSE 100 drop 2.1%
Read moreLondon midday: Markets fall as caution sets in
24th May 2013 11:41
Mining and banking stocks were weighing on the FTSE 100 on Friday morning as the index extended losses following yesterday's dramatic sell-off. Worries about the Federal Reserve scaling back its asset purchase programme prematurely and a negative reading of factory activity in China saw markets acr
Read moreBroker snap: Investec labels StanChart as top banking pick
24th May 2013 10:02
Investec has maintained its 'buy' rating and 1,900p target price for emerging markets-focused lender Standard Chartered, saying that the stock remains its top pick in the banking sector. In a research report on Friday, the broker highlighted dealings by StanChart directors which have contributed to
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: HSBC, British Land, Tesco...
24th May 2013 06:50
According to The Guardian, the 1.9bn-dollar settlement deal that HSBC agreed with US authorities over money-laundering offences, could be at risk, meaning that the bank could face criminal charges. The original settlement meant that HSBC wouldn't face prosecution but the judge overseeing the case is
Read moreLondon close: Bernanke's dovish tone sparks surge late on
22nd May 2013 17:12
After a relatively subdued start on the FTSE 100, stocks surged in afternoon trade as comments from the Chairman of the Federal Reserve pushed the index to fresh 13-year highs. The benchmark index extended its impressive year-to-date rise to nearly 16% today after Ben Bernanke initiated a dovish to
Read moreSector movers: Stocks gain as banks play down worries over capital targets
22nd May 2013 15:08
Banking stocks were in demand on Wednesday after playing down concerns about capital requirements and as speculation ramps up regarding the potential reprivatisations of both RBS and Lloyds. Both part-nationalised lenders released statements this morning, reassuring the markets that they would be a
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd May 2013 09:37
Afferro Mining: Panmure Gordon reduces target price from 279p to 100p, while keeping its buy recommendation. Amara Mining: Westhouse Securities cuts target price from 110p to 90p retaining a buy recommendation. Amlin: Westhouse Securities moves target price from 455p to 470p and upgrades to add.
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