FTSE 100 movers: Banks firmer after ICB report
11th Apr 2011 15:02
The banking sector is performing well today after a report from the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB). The ICB stopped short of recommending that banks that have investment banking arms should demerge those operations. Instead, it has recommended that banks' retail operations should be protec
Read moreLondon afternoon: Burberry eases after third quake
11th Apr 2011 14:15
The Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has issued its interim report on changes proposed for the sector, and while Lloyds Banking has had a grumble about the ICB's recommendation that it should have to sell more than 600 branches, the market's reaction is that the report looks favourable for th
Read moreLloyds protests ICB's call for more disposals
11th Apr 2011 11:58
Lloyds Banking Group has hit back at a recommendation by the Independent Banking Commission that it should sell more than branches than the bank currently intends. It said Lloyds proposed sale of 600 branches would have a limited impact on competition and proposes "enhancing the divesture." But Ll
Read moreBanks urged to separate retail and investment arms
11th Apr 2011 08:04
Banks' retail operations should be separated from their investment banking arms, the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has recommended. The recommendation comes in the ICB's interim report on the sector, with the final report due to be released in September. The ICB stops short of advising t
Read moreLondon close: Shares in late dive
7th Apr 2011 16:43
Shares were little changed for much of the day as central banks in London and Frankfurt acted as expected, but another earthquake in Japan sent jitters through markets ahead of the close. The Bank of England kept its key lending rate unchanged. The European Central Bank, however, stuck to its scrip
Read moreLondon afternoon: FTSE 250 stocks take a bashing
7th Apr 2011 15:12
The blue-chip index moved into positive territory over the lunch time trading session as the Bank of England removed all doubt about its current focus on the health of the economy, rather than the inflation risk, and kept its key lending rate unchanged. The European Central Bank, however, stuck to
Read moreSector movers: Talvivaara weighs down industrial metals stocks
7th Apr 2011 14:43
The industrial metals and mining sector is the worst performing sector today, led lower by Finnish miner Talvivaara. The company lowered annual production guidance to take into account longer than previously anticipated maintenance breaks, and believes it realistic to anticipate a production shortf
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks dominate risers
7th Apr 2011 14:12
The banking sector is making ground, offsetting losses by miners. Blue chip lenders are firmer in London after the Bank of England resisted calls to raise interest rates. The benchmark rate is unchanged at a record low of 0.5% and the quantitative easing programme has been maintained at £200bn. H
Read moreLondon midday: Shares unchanged after Bank holds rates
7th Apr 2011 12:21
Shares are little changed after the Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged at 0.5%. The decision was expected, while the ECB is expected to raise interest rates for the first time since they were slashed in the wake of the financial crisis. Turning to stocks, the retail sector has come back
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: M&S tops the risers
6th Apr 2011 13:12
Retailers are providing a boost on Wednesday, with Marks & Spencer performing best among the blue chips. The group saw a sharp drop in like-for-like sales of clothes and other non-food items in the 13 weeks to 2 April, though the fall wasn't as severe as expected and overall sales growth was mainta
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: UK growth, Glencore, Google
6th Apr 2011 06:04
Britain's growth over the next three months will be roughly one third the pace of other major world economies, according to forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development. In an update that will dent the Chancellor's claim to be driving Britain back to competitive prosperity
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: UK a drag on 3i's performance
1st Apr 2011 17:08
The UK is letting the side down for private equity investor 3i, today's biggest faller among Footsie constituents. "Overall, the private equity portfolio has performed well," chief executive Michael Queen said. "There have, however, been marked regional differences, with strong growth in Northern
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 soars past 6,000
1st Apr 2011 16:38
Shares have moved back above the 6,000 point mark as economic data from the US stoked optimism. Private non-farm payrolls rose by 216,000 in March, versus consensus expectations for a 190,000 person increase. Also, the unemployment rate fell unexpectedly, to 8.8% (Consensus: 8.9%). Average hourly e
Read moreLondon afternoon: US jobs data provides fresh impetus
1st Apr 2011 14:28
The release of generally favourable US non-farm payrolls data has given London shares fresh impetus. Some disappointing factory data here has failed to dull investor appetite. The March UK manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index PMI fell unexpectedly to 57.1 points, against consensus expectations f
Read moreLondon midday: Shares rise ahead of US jobs data.
1st Apr 2011 12:03
Shares have added to their early gains on hopes that jobs data from the US later today will fuel global economic optimism. Non-farm payroll numbers are due at 1.30pm. Some disappointing factory data here has failed to dull investor appetite. The March UK manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index PMI
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