London midday: Equities firmer on balance
23rd Jun 2009 12:01
London's leading shares continue to defy expectations and trade higher on balance, despite a weak showing overnight from Asian markets in the wake of yesterday's fall on Wall Street. Information conglomerate Thomson-Reuters leads the way. It has confirmed it is to delist from the London Stock Excha
Read moreBroker snap: L&G vulnerable to market reverse
23rd Jun 2009 11:10
Legal & General was the worst performing blue-chip in early trading on Tuesday after Societe Generale (SocGen) recommended selling the shares. SocGen previously advised holding the shares. It has cut its earnings estimates for the current financial year and next, resulting in a reduction in project
Read morePaddy Power non-exec trims stake
19th Jun 2009 17:30
Tom Grace, senior independent director of Paddy Power, has cut his stake in the Irish bookie, which has seen a rally in the share price since February. Grace, a former Irish rugby international and the treasurer of the Irish Rugby Football Union, sold €165,000 worth at €10 per share. Grace joined t
Read moreRoditi raises PGI stake to 74%
3rd Jun 2009 17:15
Director Nick Roditi of PGI Group, which operates a property management division in Russia and a food group in Southern Africa, has raised his stake to nearly 74%. Roditi acquired 5.7m shares at a price of 8p each, hiking his stake to 93m shares, which is 73.6% of the group. Top Director Buys
Read moreLondon close: US sparks Footsie recovery
26th May 2009 16:29
Footsie finished higher Tuesday after a strong performance by US shares, lifted by consumer confidence figures, hauled London's leading share index out of the red. The mining sector summed up the volatility seen on the markets today. Rio Tinto climbed after it said it had agreed a 33% cut in contra
Read moreLondon afternoon: Defensive stocks back in favour
26th May 2009 14:42
Hopes that Wall Street might provide a fillip to UK shares have been dashed as US markets open in a similarly dull fashion to London. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers while defensive sectors such as tobaccos and supermarkets have returned to favour. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lo
Read moreLondon midday: Equities drift lower
26th May 2009 12:07
It was a dull morning session for London's leading shares, with the market following Asian markets lower after the news broke concerning North Korea's nuclear bomb test. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lower after it agreed a 33% cut in contract fin
Read moreLondon close: Miners and financials lead the way
19th May 2009 16:31
Strength among financial plays and miners guaranteed London gains Tuesday, although it had looked a close call following a weak start on Wall Street. A near-13% slump in US housing starts in April proved a drag mid-afternoon before US stocks regained their poise and moved higher. Anglo American fi
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: BT, Barclays, HSBC
14th May 2009 06:07
BT could face a pension-fund deficit of more than £11bn, according to independent pensions expert John Ralfe. Mr Ralfe estimates that under "true market valuations" the hole in BT's pension could have ballooned to over £11bn - more than the market capitalisation of the former state-owned telecoms co
Read moreLondon close: Footsie takes a dive
13th May 2009 16:31
Footsie gave up its recent indecisive spell to dive into the red after an unexpected fall in US retail sales tempered recent talk that we are on the cusp of an economic recovery. Financial shares were the worst performers in London, not helped by disappointing trading updates from Legal & General a
Read moreLondon afternoon: US retail sales data jolts London
13th May 2009 14:28
Poor US retail sales figures prompted a quickening in the decline of blue-chip prices in London. US retail sales had been expected to rise in April but unexpectedly fell, bringing in to doubt hopes that the US economy is on the mend. Financial shares are the worst performers in London, not helped b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Profit rise points Compass higher
13th May 2009 13:44
Caterer Compass is bucking the general downward trend after it reported a stronger-than-expected 41% rise in half-year profits thanks to new contract wins and cost cuts. Another food related stock, Unilever, whose range includes Pot Noodles and Persil, is boosted by a positive note from Charles Sta
Read moreLondon midday: Miners and properties slide
13th May 2009 12:04
After a moderately firmer start, London's leading shares quickly turned lower in the morning session, with mining shares and properties weighing heavily on the FTSE 100 index. Property giant Land Securities saw its net asset value slashed by two-thirds in 2008 in what it described as 'unprecedented
Read moreLondon open: Footsie slips on big results day
13th May 2009 08:40
It's a big day for company announcements, but investors seem unimpressed so far with Footsie off a few points despite good numbers from J Sainsbury, Compass and L&G. Strong demand for its 'basics' range has helped supermarket giant J Sainsbury deliver better than expected full year profit. Underlyi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Modest lift seen at outset
13th May 2009 07:43
Encouraged by Wall Street's late rally yesterday London looks set to open on a positive note. Expectations are for the FTSE 100 to rise around 20 points at the outset. Strong demand for its ‘basics’ range has helped supermarket giant J Sainsbury deliver better than expected full year profit. Underl
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