F&C chairman continues buying
18th Mar 2011 16:54
F&C Asset Management chairman Edward Bramson's interests have been consistently buying shares in the past week, while F&C chief executive Alain Grisay has made a significant disposal. Bramson was appointed chairman of F&C last month after a shareholder coup but his investment vehicle SIGA LP had
Read moreLondon close: Strong end to a strong day
17th Mar 2011 16:49
London's blue chips were strong all day and boosted late on by a strong start in the US where the Dow notched up a triple-digit gain in quick time. For once, investors overlooked the ongoing bad news on the Japanese earthquake and turmoil in the Arab world to hunt out a few bargains. Heritage Oi
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners recover
17th Mar 2011 14:18
Mining shares are starting to recover today. Antofagasta and Xstrata are both ahead. Shares in Weir Group are higher after one of its directors, Lord Smith of Kelvin, bought more than £48,000 worth of shares. Legal & General has fallen even though the insurer raised its full year dividend by 2
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares kick on as US opens higher
17th Mar 2011 13:57
Share prices kicked on over the lunchtime session, boosted by a firm start on Wall Street, where the Dow has notched up a triple-digit gain in quick time. Though the focus remains on the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and any response to the turbulence it has caused in the financial markets
Read moreMixed performance at Investec
17th Mar 2011 09:07
Asset manager Investec expects a rise in UK operating profits to offset a flat performance in South Africa in the year to 31 March, but warns that the slow pace of economic recovery has delayed an improvement of the level of non-performing loans. The company said operating conditions remain "diffic
Read moreInvestec chairman to step down
18th Feb 2011 14:26
Hugh Herman is to hang up his pin-striped suit on 17 November, after 17 years as chairman of asset manager Investec. Fani Titi and Sir David Prosser, who have served on the Investec Limited and Investec plc boards, for 7 years and 5 years respectively, will assume the role of Joint Chairman. Fani T
Read moreLondon afternoon: Losses grow
3rd Feb 2011 15:26
London is back near intraday lows after an early sell-off on Wall Street. Royal Dutch Shell is still down despite more than quadrupling fourth quarter profits thanks to higher energy prices, an increase in production and cost-cutting. Earnings for the last three months of 2010 on a current cost of
Read moreLondon midday: Mixed reception for company updates
3rd Feb 2011 12:31
Stocks have moved in both directions following updates this morning, but fallers hold sway, helping to keep the top share index in the red. Royal Dutch Shell is a faller even though the oil titan more than quadrupled fourth quarter profits thanks to higher energy prices, an increase in production a
Read moreLondon open: Mixed reception for company updates
3rd Feb 2011 08:27
Stocks are moving in both directions after updating the market and the top share index is currently in the red by about a dozen points. Royal Dutch Shell is a faller even though the oil titan more than quadrupled fourth quarter profits thanks to higher energy prices, an increase in production and c
Read moreInvestec profit edges higher
3rd Feb 2011 07:48
South Africa-focused bank Investec said it saw a marginal improvement in profit in the nine months to 31 December as strength in its asset and wealth management businesses helped offset a weaker performance from banking and advisory businesses. Investec, which also has a large presence in the UK an
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Smith & Nephew bid rumours
8th Dec 2010 15:21
Smith & Nephew is higher on rumours that it could be the subject of a bid. US private equity firms are thought to be considering an offer at 800p a share. There are also rumours that Gucci owner PPR many bid for Burberry. News from the British Retail Council showing shop price inflation fell f
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks and miners await Irish news
19th Nov 2010 13:49
Banks and miners are weak as the market awaits news of financial help for Ireland. BHP Billiton, Kazakhmys and ENRC head the mining fallers. Standard Chartered, Barclays and Lloyds are all sharply lower. Outsourcer Capita, which yesterday said revenue growth in the second half of 2010 had been su
Read moreInvestec drives up interim profit
18th Nov 2010 07:29
South African investment bank Investec ramped up profit during the first half thanks mainly to big gains at its asset management and capital markets. Operating profit for the six months to 30 September before various other items rose 5.6% to £228.2m, but was up over 34% if you take out last year's
Read moreThursday preview: SABMiller, Investec, Halfords
17th Nov 2010 16:41
South Africa-focused investment bank Investec has put in a bit of mixed performance of late, according to broker Charles Stanley. "On the one hand Investec has benefited from a solid recurring income base as well as a strong performance from the Asset Management and Private Wealth businesses. Howe
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Barclays, Tesco, Investec...
20th Sep 2010 06:41
Barclays is working on contingency plans to make radical changes in an attempt to head off more draconian government measures. The high street bank is looking at ways to ring-fence its deposits and is considering whether to put its investment banking arm Barclays Capital into a separate legal entit
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