London midday: Early gains trimmed
16th Mar 2010 12:03
The FTSE 100 was clinging on to positive territory at the start of the lunchtime session after share prices went into a late morning swoon. Banks and miners continue to provide most of the bright spots, with the latter benefitting from higher metal prices. In banking, Royal Bank of Scotland is wa
Read moreHiscox estimates earthquake costs
16th Mar 2010 07:28
Underwriter Hiscox said it expects a combined net loss of around £100m from the recent Chilean earthquake and windstorm Xynthia which struck France. Hiscox said this is its first estimate of the impact of the Chilean earthquake and Windstorm Xynthia. "Loss estimation, particularly around the very
Read moreLondon close: Downward drift continues
25th Jan 2010 16:33
Nervousness returned to the markets after an indecisive start, sending Footsie to another day of losses on top of last week's slump. British American Tobacco, National Grid, GlaxoSmithKline and Scottish & Southern Energy were among the fallers. Miners were also hit, with ENRC, Anglo American and R
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares drift lower
25th Jan 2010 16:04
Nervousness has returned to the markets following an indecisive start to the day. The UK's leading index has suffered further losses after last week's 200 point slump as investors discussed the potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls. US shares fell heavily last week on the shock
Read moreBroker tips: Hiscox, Aveva, Kewill
25th Jan 2010 13:13
A market valuation that is 1.1 times net tangible assets is 'too low by a long chalk' according to finnCap, which has reiterated its 'buy' rating for underwriter Hiscox. 'The investment return for 2009 is approximately 7.2% of the average value of the portfolio over the year. This compares with 6.
Read moreBroker snap: Hiscox undervalued on NTA basis
25th Jan 2010 13:12
A market valuation that is 1.1 times net tangible assets (NTA) is 'too low by a long chalk' according to finnCap, which has reiterated its 'buy' rating for underwriter Hiscox. 'The investment return for 2009 is approximately 7.2% of the average value of the portfolio over the year. This compares w
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie holding on
25th Jan 2010 12:22
London continues to trade just above 5,300 thanks to financials and mining plays, although defensive issues are proving a drag. The UK's leading index slumped 200 points last week as investors discussed the potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls. But it appears there's a feeling t
Read moreLondon open: Mixed start for blue chips
25th Jan 2010 08:45
London has opened lower with banks and miners mixed and buyers largely sitting on the sidelines. The potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls continues to weigh heavily on the UK sector, with additional fears that a new chunk of fund raising could be on the cards to meet tougher new
Read moreLondon pre-open: Bleak opening in prospect
25th Jan 2010 07:38
Though London finished off its lows at the close on Friday the subsequent shake-out on Wall Street and the weakness of Asian markets overnight appears to have put paid to any hopes of a bright opening, with the FTSE 100 expected to open around 50 points lower. Wolseley says finance chief Steve Web
Read moreHiscox claims still benign
25th Jan 2010 07:23
Underwriter Hiscox reports its catastrophe losses have remained 'particularly benign' since November with no significant losses in the US and European claims greatly improved. The cold weather sparked a small amount of small amount of activity, it added. Reinsurance rates on premium fall by between
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: G4S, IMI, Hiscox
10th Nov 2009 06:05
Security firm G4S reported organic growth, which excludes the impact of acquisitions, down slightly to 4.2pc for the first nine months of the year, compared with 4.8pc in the first half. This is still a good result considering the current climate. They still look good value at around 12 times next y
Read moreLondon close: Miners power Footsie gains
9th Nov 2009 16:31
Mining stocks were at the vanguard of a strong advance from FTSE 100 as commodity prices were boosted by plans outlined by world leaders over the weekend to continue with stimulus measures. Kazakhmys, Fresnillo, Rio Tinto and Vedanta were some of the best performers in the mining sector. Mining g
Read moreLondon afternoon: Cadbury rejects Kraft bid
9th Nov 2009 14:23
After all the waiting and speculation, the formal bid for Cadbury from US group Kraft Foods proved a disappointment, but it has not dampened sentiment in a buoyant London market. Kraft formally announced a bid for Cadbury on the same terms as the indicative offer announced at the beginning of Septe
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie bursts through 5200
9th Nov 2009 11:58
With the price of gold crashing through the $1,100 and other metal prices on the up, miners are leading a strong advance by Footsie. Demand for mining stocks has been spurred by comments at the close of the G20 summit pledging a continuing commitment to providing economic stimulation to the world e
Read moreLondon open: Miners and insurers lead the charge
9th Nov 2009 08:55
Leading shares have made a confident start to the week following the latest G20 meeting, with insurers and miners leading the way higher. A statement issued after this weekend’s G20 summit reassured marlkets that there would be no premature withdrawal of economic stimulus packages. “The recovery
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