London midday: Banks dull after Ireland downgrade
15th Apr 2011 12:02
The top share index failed to regain the 6,000 level in the morning, but came close before subsiding just before midday. Banks are dragging the index lower, offsetting good gains among property companies. Banks such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and Barclays are off the pace as sentiment sour
Read moreLondon close: Retailers lift Footsie higher
13th Apr 2011 16:08
While the Footsie came off its daily highs, it still managed to post a gain of close to 1% as strong results from ASOS boosted the retail sector higher. Meanwhile, stocks were recovering from the 89 point sell-off yesterday, its worst one-day fall since mid-March. Strong growth overseas helped the
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: Banking commission, tablets, UK growth
12th Apr 2011 06:07
Banks breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as the Government's Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) stopped short of proposing radical measures to increase stability and competition in the sector. Presenting what he called "moderate" interim recommendations on banking reform, Sir John Vickers, the
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish despite banks' advance
11th Apr 2011 16:54
The top share index was seeking direction all day Monday even as banks advanced following the publication of changes proposed for the sector by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB). While Lloyds Banking had a grumble about the ICB's recommendation that it should have to sell more than 600 br
Read moreFTSE 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
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