London close: FTSE 100 hits 6,000
23rd Dec 2010 16:37
It was a quiet the markets on the last full day of trading before Christmas, but the top share index's attempt to inch past the 6,000 point mark proved an exciting spectacle. A final push ensured that symbolically important feat was achieved, but FTSE 100 closed just below that level, last seen in
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks come off the top
23rd Dec 2010 14:24
Footsie's assault on 6,000 has run out of steam and the blue-chip index is now barely holding on to gains. Mortgage lending fell to a 20-month low in November new figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show, underlining the weakness the housing market is currently experiencing. Oil pr
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Retailers recover
23rd Dec 2010 12:36
Retailers are recovering on hopes that the last two days trading before Christmas could be a bumper time in the high street. Kingfisher and Next have recovered a portion of their losses earlier in the weak. Chip designer ARM has been hit by profit taking. Miners are also slipping back with Xstrat
Read moreLondon midday: Stubborn FTSE 100 stays below 6,000
23rd Dec 2010 12:08
Domestic economic data has failed to jolt the top share index into life, but a raft of data from the US could trigger a move above 6,000 points later this afternoon. Mortgage lending fell to a 20-month low in November new figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show, underlining the wea
Read moreLondon open: Assault on 6,000 begins
23rd Dec 2010 08:15
Blue chips have had a first stab at hitting the magic 6,000 level following gains in the US overnight and are regrouping after falling just one point short. Insurer Old Mutual is among the early winners, followed by Sainsbury's and Kingfisher, but ARM is giving back a little of yesterday's big gain
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Aggreko's US buy
3rd Dec 2010 13:12
Temporary power and temperature control specialist Aggreko is higher following a US acquisition that increases its presence in the oil and gas market. Aggreko is paying $26m for Northland Power Services, a leading provider of power solutions for the oil and gas exploration and production market in
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Domino's Pizza, Britvic, Kingfisher...
3rd Dec 2010 06:45
The last two cold snaps boosted like-for-like sales at Domino's Pizza as peckish consumers, wary of slippery pavements, decided to phone for fast food. Domino's was ready to meet the challenge with its fleet of scooters, which made inroads in areas where larger vehicles were held back by the snow.
Read moreLondon close: Market jumps 125 points
2nd Dec 2010 16:33
Blue chips staged an impressive late rally to finish more than 100 points higher for the second day running. There was no big bond repurchase programme today from the European Central Bank, but a decision to extend the current one for three months was enough to get buyers in a lather again. "We ex
Read moreLondon afternoon: ECB inaction deflates market
2nd Dec 2010 14:28
The absence of any mention of plans to launch a bond purchase in the European Central Bank (ECB) press conference this afternoon has taken some of the glow off equities. "We expect the governments to follow what they are committed to, they all have their adjustment and stabilisation programmes," E
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stay strong as updates impress
2nd Dec 2010 12:02
Company announcements have mostly been well-received today, helping to keep the leading share index in positive territory. All eyes will be on European Central Bank President (ECB) Jean-Claude Trichet at this afternoon's press conference following the interest rate decision for the eurozone, which
Read moreLondon open: More gains for FTSE 100
2nd Dec 2010 08:25
Shares have got off to a good start as traders continue to hope for action on the eurozone debt crisis. All eyes will be on European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet at this afternoon's press conference following the interest rate decision for the eurozone. Company updates have also bee
Read moreLondon pre-open: Rally to continue
2nd Dec 2010 07:36
It look like UK blue chips will add to yesterday's strong gains following further gains on Wall Street overnight and in Asia this morning as hopes are high the ECB will save struggling eurozone economies. The FTSE 100 is expected to open up 32 points when trading gets underway, according to futures
Read moreSales flat at Kingfisher
2nd Dec 2010 07:06
The UK & Irish operations of Kingfisher were a drag on sales growth in the third quarter, as the DIY retailer reported an 8.2% year on year increase in retail profits. Sales in France in the third quarter were up 0.8%, or 3.1% in constant currency, from a year earlier to £1,123m. Like for like (LFL
Read moreThursday preview: TUI Travel, Marston's, Kingfisher
1st Dec 2010 16:30
The market did not much warm to Thomas Cook's results on Wednesday so at least the bar has been lowered for package tour rival TUI Travel on Thursday. Earlier this week the company named commercial director William Waggott as its new finance chief. He will replace Paul Bowtell, who is carrying the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners move higher
6th Oct 2010 13:51
Miners dominate the risers as metals prices rise on the back of a weak dollar. Kazakhmys is higher after yesterday's share sale by the chairman to the Kazakhstan government. Higher gold prices are pushing African Barrick Gold higher. Even Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are higher despite doubts abou
Read more