London midday: Footsie stuck in the red
14th Sep 2009 12:32
Miners continue to weigh on the leading share index. ENRC and Kazakhmys are lower. Reports over the weekend suggested some commentators are concerned by the amount of speculative money that is flowing into the sector. Cooper prices have fallen for the fourth day in a row. Platinum refiner Johnson
Read moreBroker tips: Johnson Matthey, JD Wetherspoon, Tarsus
14th Sep 2009 12:30
Shares in speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey fell back after Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating on the stock to 'equal-weight' from 'overweight.' The broker raises its price target on the firm to 1,450p from 1,400p, but sees little upside potential beyond this. It says its downgrade of
Read moreBroker snap: Downgrade takes shine off Johnson Matthey
14th Sep 2009 12:27
Shares in speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey fell back after Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating on the stock to 'equal-weight' from 'overweight.' The broker raises its price target on the firm to 1,450p from 1,400p, but sees little upside potential beyond this. It says its downgrade of
Read moreLondon open: Dull start to week
14th Sep 2009 08:47
Footsie has dipped below 5,000 this morning with miners running into profit taking on talk that the recent metal price rally has run too far. Johnson Matthey, ENRC and Kazakhmys are the worst performers. Reports over the weekend suggested some commentators are concerned by the amount of speculative
Read moreLondon close: Shares plunge as sell-off continues
17th Aug 2009 16:09
The global sell-off triggered by weak consumer confidence figures from the US on Friday continued, sending Footsie deep into the red. US stocks are also trading deep in the red as traders worry that nervous consumers will dampen the economic recovery. Asian markets were down overnight despite Jap
Read moreLondon afternoon: Equities pare losses
17th Aug 2009 14:46
The FTSE 100 had a good lunch-time session, trimming the morning's losses, but it remains firmly in the red, with miners leading the way down. Concerns grow about the health of the US economy are weighing on mining companies. With consumers reticent to play their part in a demand-led recovery inves
Read moreLondon midday: Deep in the red
17th Aug 2009 11:59
London's benchmark index is posting deep losses as miners weigh on the market on worries that the recent gains may have been overdone. Concerns grow about the health of the US economy following Friday's dismal consumer sentiment data. Asian markets were down overnight, while US futures also point l
Read moreXP Power chairman spends £200k
4th Aug 2009 16:04
XP Power, which manufacturers power controllers for electrical equipment, saw its executive chairman raise his stake in the group. Larry Tracey bought 80,000 shares for £204,000, or £2.55 each. He has increased his holding to 2.66m, which is nearly 14% of the group. XP Power yesterday saw pre-tax
Read moreNew Johnson Matthey finance boss takes stake
22nd Jul 2009 17:09
Johnson Matthey's incoming finance boss Robert Macleod has signalled his commitment to his new employers by spending £37,000 on shares in the speciality chemicals company. He bought 3,000 at 1,236p a time, his first purchase of shares in the company, which refines platinum and makes catalysts for c
Read moreWeak demand still weighing on Johnson Matthey
21st Jul 2009 07:01
Car catalyst provider Johnson Matthey expects second quarter results to be similar to those in the first quarter as the downturn in the car industry continues to hits demand for autocatalysts. The group said demand for automotive products was well down on the same period last year, though sales in
Read moreLSL chief buys
12th Jun 2009 16:46
Estate agent LSL Property Services said chief executive officer Simon Embley acquired 250,000 shares in the group. Embley has acquired the shares at 135p each, increasing his stake to 9.95m shares, or 9.56% of the group. Top Director Buys Symphony International Holdings (SIHL) Director name: M
Read moreLondon close: Rio bombshell pulls back Footsie
4th Jun 2009 17:03
Rio Tinto dominated late trading as its deal with Chinese giant Chinalco looked all but dead in the water as the mining giant confirmed it is considering its options. A rights issue to raise up to $15bn could be announced as soon as tomorrow according to reports in Australia. Rio shares slumped by
Read moreLondon afternoon: Rio dives on Chinalco rumours
4th Jun 2009 14:27
Disappointment with the Bank of England's decision not to expand its quantitative easing programme prompted a downturn in the market, wiping out the morning's gains. London's blue-chip index is also struggling with the burden of a weak mining sector, which has moved further into the red after rumou
Read moreSector movers: Chemical firm news sparks adverse reaction
4th Jun 2009 12:19
Two news items from chemicals companies have been given the thumbs down by investors. Speciality chemicals firm Johnson Matthey, which refines platinum for catalytic converters, is lower after it saw profits for the year fall 5%. It also warned thatinterim operating profit in the new year will be l
Read moreLondon midday: Financials lead rally
4th Jun 2009 12:03
The Bank of England's interest rate decision was every bit the non-event economists had been predicting, with the key lending rate left unchanged at 0.25% while no further changes to the quantitative easing programme have been made. Equities remain slightly firmer, with financials recovering some o
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