Sector 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
Read moreThursday preview: Lloyds Banking, Aviva, RSA, Unilever, BoE
3rd Aug 2011 15:33
The rash of banking results continues on Thursday with Lloyds Banking, and who better to comment on a part-nationalised fallen banking giant than RBS? "We expect Lloyds 1H11 [first half 2011] results to have relatively little impact on its share price as it presented a 2011 trading update as part o
Read moreLondon open: Barclays boosts FTSE 100 but miners suffer
2nd Aug 2011 08:28
The top share index has edged higher amid a mixed reception for today's stream of company results. Investors are also digesting news that the US House of Representatives has voted through a bill to raise the debt ceiling in the first stage of a two-step process designed to avoid the country default
Read moreLondon close: Late recovery not enough, Footsie ends 1% lower
29th Jul 2011 16:33
While the blue chip index still closed with moderate losses, a late partial recovery assured that the Footsie finished firmly above the 5,800 level - after dipping below at in the early afternoon - on reports that US politicians had drawn up a "rough agreement" in regards to the debt ceiling and def
Read moreSector movers: Lloyds drags banks lower after downgrade
29th Jul 2011 16:26
The banking sector was out of favour on Friday, dragged lower by FTSE 100 giant Lloyds. RBS downgraded Lloyds from buy to hold, saying that there appears to be a lack of catalysts for the shares in the near-term. "Given what looks to us like an overambitious top-line strategy, a tough economic back
Read moreFTSE 100 Movers: RBS kettle calls Lloyds pot "black"
29th Jul 2011 12:38
Vodafone's share price was heading north after the company announced it will receive a dividend worth £2.8bn from US associate company Verizon Wireless. Lloyds Banking Group saw its share price take a nose dive after RBS downgraded the UK lending giant from "buy" to "hold", saying that there appea
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks stuck lower amid US worries
29th Jul 2011 12:03
Shares are deep in the red as the ongoing political wrangling over how to deal with the US deficit overshadows a raft of trading updates, several of which get the thumbs up. Banking trio Lloyds, RBS and Barclays are in negative territory. RBS has laid into its peer Lloyds, downgrading the UK lend
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