London afternoon: Banks lead rally
28th Jan 2010 14:31
Blue chips put on a spurt over the lunch time session despite drugs giant Astra issuing disappointing fourth quarter figures. The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals firm saw fourth quarter earnings rise 10% but warned that its predicted 2010 revenues would be hit by the loss of exclusive rights to sell
Read moreLondon open: Ugly start in London
27th Jan 2010 08:52
It's an ugly start In London with only Johnson Matthey and Amec in the blue, while financials, miners and oils are under heavy selling pressure. Far East markets continued to fall Wednesday on continuing fears that China is planning fiscal measures to cool growth, adding to the unease this morning.
Read moreLondon close: Footsie snaps 4-day losing streak
26th Jan 2010 16:25
Top stocks staged a recovery late afternoon as Wall Street reacted well to US consumer confidence at a 16-month high. Standard Chartered was a bright spot after Nomura said the recent share price fall represents a buying opportunity. The Japanese broker upgraded the Far East focused bank to 'buy'
Read moreLondon close: Downward drift continues
25th Jan 2010 16:33
Nervousness returned to the markets after an indecisive start, sending Footsie to another day of losses on top of last week's slump. British American Tobacco, National Grid, GlaxoSmithKline and Scottish & Southern Energy were among the fallers. Miners were also hit, with ENRC, Anglo American and R
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares drift lower
25th Jan 2010 16:04
Nervousness has returned to the markets following an indecisive start to the day. The UK's leading index has suffered further losses after last week's 200 point slump as investors discussed the potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls. US shares fell heavily last week on the shock
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks reassured by Myners
25th Jan 2010 13:34
Banks turned round this morning after the City minister Lord Myners ruled out the UK following the US lead on tough bank controls. The minister is heading a summit today on the issue and is said to favour an insurance levy that would be used in the event of another bank failure and bail-out. Royal
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie holding on
25th Jan 2010 12:22
London continues to trade just above 5,300 thanks to financials and mining plays, although defensive issues are proving a drag. The UK's leading index slumped 200 points last week as investors discussed the potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls. But it appears there's a feeling t
Read moreSector movers: Banks bounce back
25th Jan 2010 11:07
Banks are one of the strongest sectors after recovering from a shaky start. Continuing fears over the potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls weighed on the UK sector in early dealings, with additional fears that a new chunk of fund raising could be on the cards to meet tougher new
Read moreLondon open: Mixed start for blue chips
25th Jan 2010 08:45
London has opened lower with banks and miners mixed and buyers largely sitting on the sidelines. The potential impact of President Obama's new bank controls continues to weigh heavily on the UK sector, with additional fears that a new chunk of fund raising could be on the cards to meet tougher new
Read moreLondon close: Banks lead third day of declines
22nd Jan 2010 16:36
Footsie rallied off its low but still finished in the red for the third day in succession on worries over US President Obama's bank bashing policies. Comments from Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman that appeared to lend support to President Obama's hard line stance against excessive risk tak
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks slide as Brown sides with Obama
22nd Jan 2010 14:43
Barely more than a dozen FTSE 100 constituents are showing rises as the market looks set to slide for the third day in succession, after dipping sharply following comments from Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman that appeared to lend support to President Obama's hard line stance against excessi
Read moreLondon midday: Banks and shops drag Footsie lower
22nd Jan 2010 12:15
Footsie has turned down sharply with retailers joining banks in the doldrums after some subdued sales data from December. Retail sales volumes rose by much less than expected in December, as price rises kept the UK consumer away from the shops over the Christmas period. Sales were up by 0.3% from
Read moreLondon open: Banks in early drop
22nd Jan 2010 08:11
Banking shares are dragging London's top stocks lower in early dealings on Friday, after President Obama revealed tough new measures to curb risk-taking among the big Wall Street banks. Obama proposed rules to limit bank mergers and consolidation, while also restricting involvement in hedge funds,
Read moreLondon close: Banks and miners drag Footsie lower
21st Jan 2010 16:30
Leading UK shares lurched lower in the afternoon as US shares weakened and investors waited nervously for President Obama's new bank reforms. The US President's proposals prohibit commercial banks from owning or investing in hedge funds or owning, investing or advising private equity funds, while a
Read moreSector movers: Utilities gush higher
21st Jan 2010 14:49
United Utilities has taken off today after the water company cut its dividend by less than expected to meet the requirements of the industry regulator's price review. It will rebase the dividend to 30p a share for fiscal 2010/11 from 34.3p this year. Experts had thought it might fall by 20-25%. Se
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