Moody's cut is 'backward looking', claims RBS
22nd Jun 2012 07:48
Credit ratings agency Moody's has downgraded 15 major banks and financial instiutions, including the major lenders on Britain's High Street. Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Lloyds and HSBC all got the downgrade treatment as the agency completed its review of the global banking sector. Barclays' r
Read moreLondon close: Stocks higher despite soaring Spanish yields
18th Jun 2012 16:42
-Stocks swing between gains and losses on euro crisis -New Democracy wins majority in Greek elections -Spanish yields set euro-era high...again The Footsie ended the day only slightly higher as soaring bond yields in Spain and uncertainty over the situation in Greece weighed on sentiment. There wa
Read moreSector movers: Rolls-Royce lifts defence stocks after MoD contract
18th Jun 2012 15:37
A bumper contract for Rolls-Royce has boosted the stock today, meaning that the aerospace and defence sector was one of the best performers in afternoon trade. The global power systems group announced on Monday that it has bagged a massive contract with the Ministry of Defence worth over £1bn to su
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Evraz leads the risers
18th Jun 2012 15:02
Steel giant Evraz was a high riser of the day after Alexander David Securities reiterated its 'buy' recommendation for the stock, while precious metals miner Polymetal was being boosted by an 'overweight' rating from Morgan Stanley. Luxury firm Burberry was lifted into the top spot, with the only
Read moreBroker tips: UK banks, SIG, William Hill
18th Jun 2012 12:37
Despite last week's announcement of stimulus measures for UK banks, Nomura has maintained its 'neutral' rating on the sector, saying that the outlook for lenders is still difficult. "While in the near term banks will be driven by risk appetite, sovereign risks and de-leveraging, we continue to see
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks edge higher despite euro uncertainty
18th Jun 2012 11:49
- Markets digest Greek elections - Spanish bond yields above seven per cent - Barroso expects coalition to be formed 'swiftly' An underwhelming outcome to the Greek elections and surging bond yields in Spain saw the Footsie swing between gains and losses on Monday morning; by lunchtime, the blue ch
Read moreConsumer spending power keeps dropping
18th Jun 2012 10:49
Consumers had 34 pounds less to splash on discretionary items in May compared with the same time last year as household budgets continued to get squeezed. The 0.3% decline in spending power highlighted conditions for consumers remain tough due to wages not keeping up with inflation. The survey by
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura stays cautious about UK banks
18th Jun 2012 09:50
Despite last week's announcement of stimulus measures for UK banks, Nomura has maintained its 'neutral' rating on the sector, saying that the outlook for lenders is still difficult. During the Mansion House speech on Thursday night, authorities announced two key measures to reduce the cost of fundi
Read moreLondon open: Stocks underwhelmed by Greek elections
18th Jun 2012 08:43
- Early gains erased as investors digest Greek elections - New Democracy wins slim majority - Miners, financials provide a drag on the Footsie After a strong rise on the back of the weekend's crucial elections in Greece, stocks pared early gains as uncertainty still remains over the country's futur
Read moreMonday broker round-up - UPDATE
18th Jun 2012 08:20
Anglo American: UBS cuts target from 3,260p to 3,100p, buy recommendation maintained. Barclays: AlphaValue downgrades from buy to add, target kept at 230.2p; Nomura keeps neutral rating and 268p target. British American Tobacco: Citigroup retains buy rating. Essar Energy: Citigroup initiates cove
Read moreSunday share tips: Renew Holdings, City of London Group, Banks
17th Jun 2012 12:38
Maintenance work might not be glamorous, but in times of austerity a business whose work comes in regardless of economic conditions stands out from the crowd. Misunderstood Renew Holdings is widely associated with its 200-year history in construction, but this is misguided as the company is focused
Read moreLondon close: All eyes turn to Greece
15th Jun 2012 16:52
London's top-share index peaked at 5,523 shortly after 10:00 and even fell into the red in the afternoon session just after 15:00 before rallying to close with a modest gain. The fast start was prompted by two things, both relating to banks. The first was reports that central banks stand ready to
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks leap on BofE decision
15th Jun 2012 15:02
Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking and Barclays were all sent soaring on Friday after banks reacted positively to the initiatives from the the UK government and the Bank of England to help banks grease the wheels of British commerce. Chancellor George Osborne said the plan, which reports have va
Read moreLondon midday: More QE could be on the way
15th Jun 2012 12:12
After a bright start on the back of the initiative announced last night to get British banks lending, equities have moved into consolidation mode ahead of this Sunday's big election in Greece. Meanwhile, the failure of last week's Spanish banking hand-out to put an end to the Eurozone crisis appear
Read moreUK banks lifted by new stimulus
15th Jun 2012 09:27
The UK government and the Bank of England have announced multi-billion pound plans to get banks lending more to companies. The move comes as the UK economy has stalled, with recent indicators pointing to the country remaining in recession for a third quarter. Chancellor George Osborne said the pla
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