London close: Footsie nears 52-week high
16th Sep 2009 17:03
London raced ahead today, with the FTSE 100 crashing through the 5100 barrier near to a 12-month high, though it stopped short of racking up a triple-digit rise. Mining stocks were responsible for a large proportion of the index's rise as metals prices headed north following comments from Federal
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie consolidates gains
16th Sep 2009 14:30
The number of FTSE 100 constituents in the red today is in single figures as investors chase up share prices in the wake of relatively upbeat comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke last night. Bernanke said the US recession 'is very likely over at this point,' prompting an advance by gl
Read moreBroker tips: Next, Cape, UK banks
16th Sep 2009 12:46
KBC Peel Hunt is contemplating upgrading its target price, earnings forecasts and rating for Next after the fashion retailer's impressive interim results on Wednesday morning. The broker expects consensus forecasts for full year pre-tax profit are likely to rise as a result of the half-year update,
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie breaks through 5100
16th Sep 2009 11:58
Leading shares rose steadily throughout the morning session pushing the FTSE 100 index through the 5100 barrier. Mining stocks are responsible for much of the rise as metals prices head north after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the US recession 'is very likely over at this point' in a s
Read moreBroker snap: Book profits on banks, Nomura says
16th Sep 2009 11:55
Broker Nomura Securities has warned that shareholders in UK banks should be wary of the potential for a reversal in the sector and advises banking profits. 'The domestic UK banks have rebounded to valuations of 1.4x book value, with the Far Eastern banks on 2.2x. Consequently, we advocate booking s
Read moreLondon open: Bright start for Footsie
16th Sep 2009 08:42
London's blue chips have made a strong start following on from Wall St's rise after US Fed chief Ben Bernanke called the US recession over. Miners are pushing on in sympathy with Bernanke's comments led by the majors Xstrata, Rio Tinto and Anglo American. Tullow Oil is the best performer after the
Read moreBrussels may make Lloyds sell Halifax
16th Sep 2009 08:25
Lloyds Banking Group could be forced to sell off its Halifax business if the European Commission decides to punish it for receiving billions of pounds of state aid, according to reports. Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, has yet to make a final decision, but banking sources say it is clear th
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Lloyds Banking, Tullow Oil, Barclays
16th Sep 2009 06:15
The European Commission has warned Lloyds Banking Group that it may have to split off Halifax as punishment for the billions of pounds of state aid that it has received. Neelie Kroes, the Competition Commissioner, has yet to make a final decision, but banking sources say it is clear that she is pla
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Lloyds Banking, Randgold, Peter Hambro
9th Sep 2009 06:35
Lloyds Banking shares' recent froth has been driven by the company's bold prediction that bad debts have peaked and hopes that it may be able to renegotiate terms of entry into the government's asset guarantee scheme. It may be that Lloyds Banking is the recovery play of the new century. There are
Read moreThursday's newspaper round-up: Alistair Darling, Lloyds, RSA
3rd Sep 2009 06:53
International complacency risks plunging the world into a double-dip recession, the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, warned yesterday, according to the Independent. Alistair Darling is scrambling to plug a gaping hole in the $1.1 trillion global rescue package agreed by G20 leaders in London ? hailed
Read moreLondon open: Dull start after Dow sell off
2nd Sep 2009 08:46
The gloomy start to September has continued with talk of another big bank fund raising encouraging sellers. Lloyds is the worst performer after the Guardian reported it has won backing from its investors to raise £10bn to allow it make a partial withdrawal from the government's asset protection sch
Read moreLondon close: Footsie plunges after Wall Street reversal
1st Sep 2009 16:43
A sharp reversal in US stocks' fortunes ensured Footsie finished deep in the red after abruptly giving up an attempt to climb into positive territory. Miners were weak on lower metals prices, with Kazakh pair ENRC and Kazakhmys among the worst hit. Lower metals prices also hurt the likes of Antof
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still stuck after plunge
1st Sep 2009 14:41
There has been little change in the FTSE 100 since it abruptly took a downward turn this morning Kazakh resources group ENRC is leading the mining sector lower, closely followed by fellow Kazakh operation Kazakhmys. Lower metals prices are also hitting the likes of Antofagasta, Anglo American, Lon
Read moreLondon midday: Banks and miners lead retreat
1st Sep 2009 12:16
Banks and miners are dragging the market lower and have pushed the Footsie below the 4,900 level. Kazakh resources group ENRC is leading the mining sector lower, closely followed by fellow Kazakhi operation Kazakhmys. Lower metals prices are also hitting the likes of Antofagasta, Anglo American, L
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Lloyds Banking, RSA, Yell
30th Aug 2009 11:07
The Lloyds Banking is offering the sale of two regional branch networks to address concerns by the European Commission over state aid and market share. The British bank has offered to sell the Scottish branches of Lloyds TSB and the Cheltenham & Gloucester (C&G) network. This would affect some 340 b
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