FTSE 100 movers: Barclays leads risers as National Grid falls
7th Jan 2013 15:34
Banking giant Barclays was the high riser of the day after regulators eased rules on cash buffers, giving lenders more time and greater flexibility to comply with Basel III liquid coverage ratio requirements. Sector peers Lloyds and HSBC were also on the up. "Less strict liquidity rules should red
Read moreLondon midday: Traders take profits after recent surge
7th Jan 2013 11:41
Strong gains in the banking sector weren't enough to lift the FTSE 100 into positive territory on Monday morning, as London's benchmark index pulled back from its near two-year high on Friday. "Stock markets in Europe have surrendered early morning slim gains as the temptation to book profits on ma
Read moreLondon open: Footsie pulls back despite strong showing by banks
7th Jan 2013 08:15
After hitting a near two-year high the previous trading session, profit-taking meant that the FTSE 100 opened slightly lower on Monday morning. This was despite relative strength in the banking sector on the back of some better-than-expected news on regulation. The FTSE 100 finished Friday at 6,090
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 cracks 6,000 after US budget deal
2nd Jan 2013 16:30
- Footsie surges 2.2 per cent - Global stock markets rally, helped by manufacturing figures - Miners benefit from increased risk appetite The FTSE 100 surged past the psychologically-important level of 6,000 on Wednesday as stock markets across the globe celebrated the last-minute deal by US politi
Read moreLondon midday: Markets welcome fiscal cliff deal with two per cent surge
2nd Jan 2013 11:40
- US leaders pass budget deal to avert fiscal cliff - Mining and banking stocks celebrate with decent performance - UK manufacturing ends 2012 on a high Mining stocks were registering impressive gains on Wednesday in the aftermath of the US fiscal cliff agreement, which could have plunged the world
Read moreBroker snap: Investec upbeat about Barclays but obstacles remain
2nd Jan 2013 10:41
Barclays was performing well on Wednesday morning after Investec hiked its target price from 260p to 285p and hailed the lender as its 'preferred UK domestic bank'. Despite an impressive 79% rally over the past five months, the broker said that the shares are still trading "only in line with loss-
Read moreLondon open: Fiscal cliff deal ignites risk appetite
2nd Jan 2013 08:21
The FTSE 100 surged on Wednesday morning as investors celebrated the news that the fiscal cliff deal Stateside, with mining and banking stocks benefitting from the increase in risk appetite. "It may have come at the last minute, but US lawmakers finally managed to find some common ground by voting
Read moreLondon close: Footsie ends 2012 on a dull note, fiscal-cliff weighs
31st Dec 2012 12:50
After a slight rebound late morning, the Footsie dropped to near its intraday low by the close of trade in a shortened trading session as US budget uncertainty dented risk appetite. Markets across Europe finished with mild losses today as they closed early for New Year's Eve. Fiscal cliff concern
Read moreLondon midday: Risk appetite scaled back ahead of fiscal cliff deadline
31st Dec 2012 11:19
UK stocks were trading firmly in the red by Monday lunchtime with less than 24 hours to go before the US fiscal cliff deadline, when 600bn dollars in automatic spending cuts and tax increases come into effect. Markets were even shrugging off some upbeat economic data from Asian powerhouse China ove
Read moreDid you pick the FTSE 100 winners in 2012?
28th Dec 2012 09:00
Let's be blunt, 2012 has been a real stinker in terms of the one thing markets crave most: certainty. Shocks have come from left, right and centre in 2012 as investors swung wildly between 'risk on' and 'risk off' modes. On top of that, trading on the London Stock Exchange was very light by histor
Read moreLondon close: Investors take profits ahead of Christmas
21st Dec 2012 16:31
- Cancelled 'Plan B' vote results in sell-off - Boehner pledges to continue negotiations - Miners and financials in the red While stocks managed to stage a small comeback in afternoon trade, the UK market finished the week on a dull note, with 'fiscal cliff' fears dampening the festive cheer ahead
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners and financials in the red
21st Dec 2012 15:07
Miners and financial stocks were bearing the brunt of the bearish mood on markets on Friday as investors cut positions in riskier assets on concerns over the US economy. However, Randgold Resources was bucking the trend as gold prices advanced following heavy losses this week. Banks were under th
Read moreLondon close: Gains pared after White House comments on 'fiscal cliff'
19th Dec 2012 16:57
The UK stock market staged a slight 'Santa rally' on Wednesday, with risk appetite increasing before Christmas on the back of a Greek ratings upgrade and a better-than-expected reading of German confidence. "Santa has returned to the markets, bringing some much needed cheer before the Christmas bre
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials, IAG and CRH lead the risers
19th Dec 2012 15:31
Insurance and banking stocks were performing well on Wednesday afternoon after Credit Suisse upgraded its ratings on both sectors this morning. Lloyds was up 4% after the Swiss broker raised its view on European banks to 'benchmark' from 'small underweight', saying that the stock looks "abnormally
Read moreLondon midday: The 'Santa Rally' begins...
19th Dec 2012 11:35
An upgrade of Greece's credit rating and a better-than-expected reading of German sentiment saw European stock markets make impressive gains on Wednesday. Meanwhile, increasing optimism that US leaders can strike a deal to avert the 'fiscal cliff' was also continuing to bolster the bullish mood.
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