FTSE 100 movers: Bank shares slump
25th May 2010 15:26
Concerns about the banking sector in the EU have hit Footsie and there are no risers today. The London Interbank Offered Rate has been rising because of worries about the health of the banking system. In Spain, regulators are plotting consolidation in the Spanish banking sector. Lloyds Banking,
Read moreLondon afternoon Markets in full-scale retreat
25th May 2010 14:35
Shares are in full-scale retreat around the World with the Dow over 250 points lower soon after the opening bell. London is lower by a similar amount in percentage terms, as concerns over a possible bail-out of Spain and growing military tensions between North and South Korea. Moves by Spanish reg
Read moreLondon midday: Prices bottom out
25th May 2010 12:02
The FTSE 100 dived below the 5,000 level in the first few minutes of trading and at one point in the morning session dipped briefly below 4,900 but prices have now stabilised. Though it is scant consolation, London is not alone in shifting violently into reverse gear, as increasing fears about a p
Read moreSpain panic sparks sell-off
25th May 2010 09:22
Increasing fears about a possible bailout of Spain and growing military tensions between North and South Korea have sent global stock markets crashing again. Banks and miners were the main casualties in Europe. Spain's Banco Popular is more than 8% lower, while Societe Generale, Credit Agricole an
Read moreLondon open: Footsie hammered down through 5,000
25th May 2010 08:40
Shares have taken a pasting in early dealings as worries over the European debt situation continue to plague markets around the world. US and Asia markets tumbled overnight and London has followed them down with no risers on Footsie at present. The best blue chip performer is Severn Trent at minus
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: British Airways, European banks, BP
24th May 2010 06:48
Hundreds of British Airways flights were expected to be cancelled because of a cabin crew strike today despite an eleventh-hour peace overture from the Unite union. The airline remained focused on flying as many passengers as possible throughout the first of three five-day strikes even though Tony
Read moreLondon close: Late rally limits losses
21st May 2010 16:32
It was a volatile day on the markets, but Footsie rallied back above 5,000 points before the close, having sunk below that level earlier in the afternoon, and finished only slightly in the red. European worries are continuing to set traders' nerves on edge. Germany's parliament approved the country
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie sinks below 5,000
21st May 2010 14:24
The FTSE 100 has plunged below 5,000 for the first time in over six months as markets continue to fret about Europe's sovereign debt crisis and potential financial regulation. London's leading index sank below the big figure just after midday. It hasn't been this low since early November and hasn't
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks head the slide
21st May 2010 14:15
As Footsie slides below 5,000 it is the banks that are leading it downwards. Lloyds Banking, RBS and Standard Chartered are the worst performing banks. Brewer SABMiller is another of the major losers after yesterday's results and share sales by directors. Chief executive Graham MacKay raised £10
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie back in the red
21st May 2010 11:38
After briefly tip-toeing into the blue, Footsie is now back in the red again as concerns about eurozone debt persist. Germany's parliament is expected to approve the country's share of a €750bn eurozone rescue package on Friday. Both houses of parliament are scheduled to vote on its potential €148b
Read moreLondon open: Modest fall for Footsie
21st May 2010 08:48
London's top stocks have opened lower but the decline is modest compared to the hammering US blue chips took overnight. British Airways record pre-tax loss of £531m is providing some distraction. The carrier was hit by strike action, bad winter weather disruption and the impact from the global rece
Read moreThursday's newspaper round-up: Government, BP, Lloyds
20th May 2010 06:10
Final coalition agreement may include phasing a cut in the headline rate and alternatives to a sharp cut in the rate of capital allowances originally proposed by the Tories, reports the FT. Chancellor wants most competitive corporate tax regime in G20 by cutting rates and reforming rules driving fi
Read moreLondon open: Poor start for Footsie
14th May 2010 08:44
London's top stocks have turned down after the late gains yesterday with banks again under pressure on concerns over the plans of the new government to curb their activities. Reports that the EU is to push through controversial new hedge fund regulations next week have also cast a cloud over the fi
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips make healthy gains
13th May 2010 16:33
London's top stocks rallied near the close to finish well up on the day as traders speculated on possible measures to cut the UK's debt burden. A VAT rise to 20% is a likely measure according to a group of economists questioned by the BBC. Justin King, chief executive of supermarket Sainsbury's,
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still in the blue
13th May 2010 15:06
London's top stocks are easing down towards the close after a flat start on Wall Street and some calming down of the excitement over the plans of the new Conservative-Liberal government. The focus now is on just how they new government intends to get the UK's debt levels down, with a VAT rise to 20
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