London close: Footsie finishes flat
9th Jun 2009 17:05
The UK's blue-chip index spent the day flitting above and below last night's closing level so it should have been no surprise when the FTSE 100 closed virtually unchanged. Thomas Cook was the day's best performer after it calmed investors' nerves over the collapse of Arcandor, which has a 52% stake
Read moreLondon afternoon: Thos. Cook soars on bid spec
9th Jun 2009 14:39
It's been a see-saw day for London's leading shares which are now predominantly firmer, after US markets opened moderately higher. Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed press reports that it is to close its Cheltenham & Gloucester branch network in a move that will see 1,000 jobs go. Lloyds also annou
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: IG Group results well received
9th Jun 2009 14:04
Investors are taking a punt on IG Group after the spread-betting firm said it expects to post a strong rise in profits for the 12 months to March 31 after a good finish to the year. Adjusted pre-tax profits should come in at £125m, compared with £98m the previous year, on revenues that climb to £25
Read moreLondon midday: Defence stocks beat a retreat
9th Jun 2009 12:05
Leading shares are now lower, dragged down by expectations of a weak start on Wall Street and by a trimming of the strong early gains made by miners. Lloyds Banking Group is still in the blue on reports it is to axe a further 1,500 jobs and close the branch network of Cheltenham & Gloucester. Gla
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips start well
9th Jun 2009 08:47
Last night's late recovery in Wall Street has given London a modest boost this morning. Lloyds is going well on reports it is to axe a further 1,500 jobs and close the branch network of Cheltenham & Gloucester. Miners are also in demand again following yesterday's rally in the US. Vedanta and Antof
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to edge higher
9th Jun 2009 07:40
Last night's late recovery in Wall Street is set to give London a modest boost this morning. The FTSE 100 is predicted to open up about 15 points as the Dow Jones erased an earlier 100-point deficit to close just in the blue. Heritage Oil is merging with Turkish exploration and production group Ge
Read moreIG Group trading improves in fourth quarter
9th Jun 2009 07:02
Spread betting firm IG Index expects to post a strong rise in profits for the 12 months to March 31 after a good finish to the year. Adjusted pre-tax profits should come in at £125m, compared with £98m the previous year, on revenues that climb to £257m from £184m. The firm said year-on-year organi
Read moreLondon close: US sparks Footsie recovery
26th May 2009 16:29
Footsie finished higher Tuesday after a strong performance by US shares, lifted by consumer confidence figures, hauled London's leading share index out of the red. The mining sector summed up the volatility seen on the markets today. Rio Tinto climbed after it said it had agreed a 33% cut in contra
Read moreLondon afternoon: Defensive stocks back in favour
26th May 2009 14:42
Hopes that Wall Street might provide a fillip to UK shares have been dashed as US markets open in a similarly dull fashion to London. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers while defensive sectors such as tobaccos and supermarkets have returned to favour. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lo
Read moreLondon midday: Equities drift lower
26th May 2009 12:07
It was a dull morning session for London's leading shares, with the market following Asian markets lower after the news broke concerning North Korea's nuclear bomb test. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lower after it agreed a 33% cut in contract fin
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Aveva climbs after profit hike
26th May 2009 12:07
Aveva leads the risers after profits surged forward again last year, but the computer-aided designer cautioned that the slowdown in global shipping and oil markets is now having an impact on orders. IG Group falls back after the spread betting firm said it expects the Financial Services Agency of J
Read moreLondon open: Slow start to short week
26th May 2009 08:41
London has made a slow start to the week after the long weekend in both the UK and the US and with little blue chip news out today so far. Miners are the best performers again. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lower has agreed a 33% cut in contract fine iron ore prices with Japan's Nippon Steel Corp for t
Read moreLondon pre-open: Dull start to short week in prospect
26th May 2009 07:40
London looks set to make a slow start to the week after the long week-end in both the UK and the USA. Traders expect the FTSE 100 will start around 28 points lower, echoing the weaker trend seen in Japan. Half-year losses have doubled at short break specialist Holidaybreak, but are in line with th
Read moreIG relaxed on possible Japanese rule changes
26th May 2009 07:05
Spread betting firm IG Group said it expects the Financial Services Agency of Japan to clarify its intentions regarding limiting the amount of gearing that can be offered to retail foreign exchange speculators in Japan. In response to recent speculation in the Japanese press, IG said it has made re
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