FTSE 100 Movers: SocGen likes the look of UK peers
12th Aug 2011 10:00
Despite ongoing economic instability, Barclays topped the leader board in the morning session in London, with Lloyds and RBS hot on its heels, helped by an upbeat research note on the sector from Societe Generale. Commodities trader Glencore took a small hit despite crude oil closing at its highes
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Lloyds, Anglo Pacific, Greggs...
12th Aug 2011 06:50
Lloyds makes most its profit in the UK, and the news on the British economy has been fairly grim. Like all UK banks, it also faces regulatory uncertainty. It has to sell 632 branches under its competition agreement with the EU and the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) wants it to offload a fur
Read moreLondon close: Stocks rally after strong start in US
11th Aug 2011 16:30
The volatile trading continued on Thursday as losses were turned into gains in London on the back of a rally on Wall Street. A steep rise was seen after midday erased earlier losses and helped the Footsie to finish near its highs for the day. Equities were on the rise in morning trade in New York a
Read moreSector movers: 9% gain for Barclays boosts banks
11th Aug 2011 15:42
Every sector was notching up gains on Thursday afternoon as the markets in London surged on the back of a positive start on Wall Street. Mondi, the biggest company of the five forestry and paper stocks rose over 6.6% in late afternoon trading, sending the sector to the top of the pile. The paper an
Read moreLondon midday: Mining rally keeps FTSE 100 higher
11th Aug 2011 12:12
Stocks came firmly off their earlier highs, with worries over the French banking system continuing to cause jitters, but a strong performance from the mining sector helps to keep the FTSE 100 in the blue. Miners are rallying strongly, led higher by Kazakh copper miner Kazakhmys, but French banking
Read moreLondon open: Lloyds and RBS miss out on rally
11th Aug 2011 08:37
London has ignored last night's shake-out on Wall Street and is approaching triple-digit gains, though banks are left in the cold amid continuing Eurozone worries. US benchmark indices each tumbled more than 4% overnight, on fears over the health of the US economy and also the future of France's AA
Read moreSector movers: Micro Focus provides spark in software sector
10th Aug 2011 14:20
The software and computer services sector was in demand on Wednesday after results and updates from three of its constituents. FTSE 250 legacy software specialist Micro Focus soared after it revealed that it is trading ahead of expectations. The upbeat trading statement made a change from profit wa
Read moreLondon close: Footsie bounces after morning sell-off
9th Aug 2011 16:45
Following another steep decline in early trading, the Footsie clawed its way back, surging nearly 400 points since the mid-morning to finish 1.89% higher. The blue chip index closed up 96 points. All eyes are on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting, with markets eagerly waiting to hear of
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks tumble as jitters grip markets
8th Aug 2011 12:14
London's leading share index has given up a short-lived rally and is posting triple-digit losses as nerves over the global economic situation grip the markets again. Mining giants such as Rio Tinto and ENRC are out of favour, though precious metal miners such as Randgold Resources and Fresnillo are
Read moreLondon open: Volatile start for FTSE 100, Lloyds and RBS rally
8th Aug 2011 08:29
Stocks have recovered from earlier falls on what could be a jittery day following last week's slide, with falling mining shares signalling continued nervousness over global economic prospects. Mining giants such as Rio Tinto and ENRC are out of favour today, though precious metal miners such as Ran
Read moreLondon close: Footsie plummets to 5,393
4th Aug 2011 16:29
Hefty losses from large-cap equities dragged the Footsie over 3.43% lower on Thursday, a day after the blue chip index hit its lowest levels in 2011. Moderate falls turned into steep declines as the sell-off accelerated in the afternoon period, on the back of a bad start on Wall Street, which saw th
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks back in the red as Lloyds gives up gains
4th Aug 2011 12:05
Stocks are back in the red now after giving up this morning's partial recovery. Investors have turned sour on Lloyds Banking's results having earlier applauded them. The headline items are a £3.2bn provision for potential claims relating to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance, and under
Read moreLondon open: Lloyds and Unilever join fightback
4th Aug 2011 08:27
Stocks are staging a partial fightback following yesterday's slide, with second quarter results driving many stocks higher. Among those risers is Lloyds Banking. The headline items are a £3.2bn provision for potential claims relating to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance, and underlyin
Read moreLondon pre-open: London to follow Wall Street higher
4th Aug 2011 07:51
Taking its lead from Wall Street, which brought its losing streak to an end yesterday, London is set to open firmer, with City traders tipping the Footsie will open around 34 points higher. Many of those traders will be attempting to decode the heavily detailed and caveat loaded interim results fro
Read moreLloyds sets aside £3.2bn for PPI claims
4th Aug 2011 07:20
Part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking Group unveiled underlying profits before tax for the half year that were ahead of some estimates, but the £3.2bn provision for potential claims relating to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) put a big hole in the bottom line. Underlying pro
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