London open: Consumers help Footsie progress
9th Oct 2009 08:45
Footsie has shrugged off some profit taking among the miners and more bank weakness to open higher, with consumer stocks leading the way. Gains for Whitbread, Kingfisher and Next are helping Footsie push on despite Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland. Both state-controlled banks have been unsettled b
Read moreComment: The Post-Lehman Landscape
19th Sep 2009 11:53
This week marked the anniversary of the demise of US investment banking giant Lehman Brothers and the collapse of insurance behemoth AIG, two events that threatened to bring about the implosion of the world's financial system. Yet, here we are, a year later and the UK's major stock indices have stru
Read moreDealings round-up: BlueBay duo cash in
18th Sep 2009 17:26
Two directors of BlueBay today took advantage of the recent tripling in its share price to trim their holdings in the fixed income fund manager. A secondary placing of shares saw Nick Williams, Chief Financial Officer, sell 1m shares and Alex Khein, Chief Operating Officer dispose of 2m shares. Th
Read moreLondon close: Footsie winning streak continues
18th Sep 2009 16:38
London's rising streak continued but it was a bit of a struggle with the absence of economic news and a flat start on Wall Street keeping activity at low levels. Banks provided what little excitement there was, with Lloyds Banking, RBS, HSBC and Barclays the most widely traded blue-chips, with the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher up on price upgrade
18th Sep 2009 14:22
The cost environment for 2010 for DIY retailer Kingfisher looks relatively benign, according to broker Nomura Securities, and this should support earnings. The broker reckons increased visibility in respect of Kingfisher's Polish and Chinese activities indicates 'the group may be on track for furt
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares remain becalmed
18th Sep 2009 13:28
Banks are providing what little excitement there is in the market today, with Lloyds Banking, RBS, HSBC and Barclays the most widely traded blue-chip, with the exception of Vodafone. Despite the number of shares changing hands part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is little changed, down less
Read moreBroker tips: Kingfisher, Dairy Crest, Enterprise Inns
18th Sep 2009 12:52
The cost environment for 2010 for DIY retailer Kingfisher looks relatively benign, according to broker Nomura Securities, and this should support earnings. The broker reckons increased visibility in respect of Kingfisher’s Polish and Chinese activities indicates ‘the group may be on track for furt
Read moreLondon midday: Shares lack direction
18th Sep 2009 12:23
Leading shares still lack direction with the constituents of the FTSE 100 virtually evenly divided between risers and fallers while the index itself is little changed. Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is attracting plenty of comment after it confirmed it is in talks with the government
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura raises Kingfisher price target
18th Sep 2009 12:00
The cost environment for 2010 for DIY retailer Kingfisher looks relatively benign, according to broker Nomura Securities, which should support earnings. The broker reckons increased visibility in respect of Kingfisher’s Polish and Chinese activities indicates ‘the group may be on track for further
Read moreLondon open: Flat start as markets catch breath
18th Sep 2009 08:44
Footsie has made a slow start after Wall St paused for breath overnight on concerns the recent equity market surge may have got ahead of itself. Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is making the headlines. It has confirmed talks with the government about changes to the terms of it joining a
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Kingfisher, Kier, Unite
18th Sep 2009 06:45
While Kingfisher's shares are not cheap and trade on a forecast 2010 price-to-earnings ratio of 16.3, they have actually fallen back recently from their peak over the past year. Given that trading in the second half is likely to be kinder in the UK and other markets, compared with last autumn, Kin
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips post useful gains
17th Sep 2009 16:42
A better than expected start on Wall Street helped London post more gains by the close. Balfour Beatty was the best performer with the shares roaring ahead on plans to acquire Parsons Brinckerhoff, a US consultancy business. A rights issue to raise about £350m will fund the deal. Ian Tyler, Balfou
Read moreLondon afternoon: Holding onto gains
17th Sep 2009 14:16
London is still in the blue but off its best with futures pointing towards a flat start on Wall Street. British Airways has been the blue-chip stock to own in the third quarter of 2009 with its share price virtually doubling since the beginning of July. The shares get another lift today from Goldma
Read moreLondon midday: Traders get on board British Airways
17th Sep 2009 12:08
Risers outnumber fallers among FTSE 100 constituents by around three to one as London's strong run continues, despite flat retail sales in August. British Airways has been the blue-chip stock to own in the third quarter of 2009 with its share price virtually doubling since the beginning of July. T
Read moreLondon open: Rise continues
17th Sep 2009 08:15
Miners are giving London's blue chips a boost in early dealings, while Tullow Oil gained on the second oil find in as many days. Fresnillo, Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Lonmin and Xstrata are all among the top performers. Tullow Oil gained after announcing the discovery of a significant oil field at N
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