London open: Miners rise on Chinese stimulus hopes, insurers drop
28th Mar 2014 08:34
- Miners rise on Chinese stimulus hopes - Li Keqiang hints at possible easing - Insurers fall on FCA investigation techMARK 2,779.04 +0.58% FTSE 100 6,621.74 +0.51% FTSE 250 16,239.90 +0.23% UK stocks were making decent gains on Friday morning after a positive session in Asia overnight as comments
Read moreUK government caps pension management charges
27th Mar 2014 14:32
The British government announced plans on Thursday to cap management fees charged by pension providers, sparking a mixed response from the industry. UK pensions minister Steve Webb told the House of Commons that workplace pension schemes that automatically enrol their members will be subject to a 0
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: House prices, HSBC, Ofgem
27th Mar 2014 07:14
The Head of the Office for Budget Responsibility yesterday warned that given the very rapid house price rises in some parts of Britain one may see "bubbly activity", such as people willing to buy 'off-plan' or when they do not intend to live in the homes which they are purchasing. That comes as the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Standard Life rises on Ignis deal
26th Mar 2014 15:24
Standard Life was making decent gains after agreeing on a deal with Phoenix Group to sell the latter's Ignis Asset Management division. Standard Life said the 390m pound acquisition will enhance earnings from the first full year of ownership. RSA is holding near the top of the leaderboard, part of
Read moreLondon midday: Insurance stocks push markets higher, but banks fall
26th Mar 2014 11:42
- FTSE 100 at highest since March 11th - Insurers provide a lift, Standard Life and Phoenix in focus - Lloyds drops after government sale, RBS downgraded - ECB, PBoC stimulus hopes and US data drive gains techMARK 2,787.86 +0.51% FTSE 100 6,630.79 +0.39% FTSE 250 16,273.83 +0.75% UK stocks were at
Read moreLondon pre-open: Modest start predicted for FTSE
26th Mar 2014 07:24
UK stocks are set to slide slightly higher this morning, tracking gains seen in the US overnight and following a number of significant company news releases early on. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open six points higher than yesterday's close of 6,604.89. A larger-than-expected rise in c
Read moreLegal & General wins 3bn-pound bulk annuity deal
26th Mar 2014 07:06
Financial services firm Legal & General has won a bulk annuity arrangement with the ICI Pension Fund covering 3bn pounds of its liabilities, the largest ever bulk annuity policy arranged by a pension scheme in the UK. It is thought that bulk annuities, which accounted for 70% of the company's own a
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Lloyds climbs on rating upgrade
24th Mar 2014 15:48
Investec has upgraded its rating for Lloyds Banking Group from 'hold' to 'buy', telling investors that "it is safe to go back in the water", prompting a strong rise in the share price. "After a 10% 10-week pull-back, we again see reasonable value for a low-risk stock. Upgrade to 'buy'," the broker
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Life insurers, energy companies, supermarkets
23rd Mar 2014 15:45
The chief executives of some of Britain's biggest life insurers have asked regulators to intervene after the Chancellor's announcement of dramatic changes to the pensions market, the Sunday Telegraph said. The insurance bosses have contacted the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulat
Read moreLondon close: Positive finish to week as miners charge higher
21st Mar 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 15 points at 6,557 - Feb UK public sector borrowing slightly ahead of forecasts - Eurozone consumer confidence higher than expected techMARK 2,790.85 -0.34% FTSE 100 6,557.17 +0.23% FTSE 250 16,160.11 -0.35% The City ended the week on a positive note, with mining stocks providing
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners jump after recent declines
21st Mar 2014 14:55
Mining stocks were performing well throughout today's session as bargain hunters stepped in following recent weakness in the sector. At Thursday's close, the FTSE 350 mining sector had lost more than 11 per cent over the last four weeks. Anglo American, Antofagasta, and precious metals producer Fres
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks at six-week low after hawkish comments from Yellen
20th Mar 2014 12:01
- Yellen comments rattle markets on tightening fears - FOMC tapers asset purchases by another 10bn dollars/month - Next impresses with full-year results - Changes in Budget continuing to affect stocks techMARK 2,788.04 -1.09% FTSE 100 6,500.19 -1.11% FTSE 250 16,174.99 -1.00% UK stocks dropped sha
Read moreLondon open: Stocks drop after hawkish comments from Yellen
20th Mar 2014 08:21
- Yellen says rate hike could come six months after QE ends - Fed continues to taper by 10bn dollars a month - Next impresses with full-year results techMARK 2,804.74 -0.50% FTSE 100 6,546.18 -0.41% FTSE 250 16,267.89 -0.43% UK stocks fell on Thursday morning, following a sell-off on US and Asian
Read moreLondon close: Impact of Budget felt on FTSE
19th Mar 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes down 32 points at 6,573 - Focus on Budget, unemployment remains unchanged - Jan Eurozone construction output up by 1.5 per cent techMARK 2,818.76 +0.56% FTSE 100 6,573.13 -0.49% FTSE 250 16,338.84 -0.09% UK stocks finished today's busy session in the red as investors digested the Ch
Read moreLegal & General says annuity changes will have 'far-reaching consequences'
19th Mar 2014 16:06
FTSE 100 Legal & General (L&G) on Wednesday issued a statement admitting that the changes to the annuity market announced in Chancellor George Osborne's Budget would have 'far-reaching consequences'. The group said the impact would be felt in the accumulation and decumulation of pension savings for
Read more