London afternoon: Shares remain becalmed
18th Sep 2009 13:28
Banks are providing what little excitement there is in the market today, with Lloyds Banking, RBS, HSBC and Barclays the most widely traded blue-chip, with the exception of Vodafone. Despite the number of shares changing hands part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is little changed, down less
Read moreLondon midday: Shares lack direction
18th Sep 2009 12:23
Leading shares still lack direction with the constituents of the FTSE 100 virtually evenly divided between risers and fallers while the index itself is little changed. Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is attracting plenty of comment after it confirmed it is in talks with the government
Read moreLondon open: Flat start as markets catch breath
18th Sep 2009 08:44
Footsie has made a slow start after Wall St paused for breath overnight on concerns the recent equity market surge may have got ahead of itself. Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is making the headlines. It has confirmed talks with the government about changes to the terms of it joining a
Read moreUpdate: Lloyds at odds with FSA over APS
18th Sep 2009 07:58
Improving economic conditions have prompted part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group to renegotiate its possible participation in the government asset protection scheme (APS). The company issued a statement in response to intense media speculation about its participation in the scheme, with repo
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie to slip back
18th Sep 2009 07:46
Footsie is expected to fall in early dealings after posting more gains yesterday. Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is in talks with the government about changes to the terms of its possible participation in the government asset protection scheme (GAPS). Lloyds is also mu
Read moreLloyds confirms APS renegotiation talks
18th Sep 2009 07:04
Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is in talks with the government about changes to the terms of its possible participation in the government asset protection scheme (GAPS). ‘In light of improving economic conditions and the results of Lloyds' detailed reviews of its loan
Read moreFriday newspaper round-up: Lloyds Banking, BSkyB, African Minerals
18th Sep 2009 06:17
Lloyds Banking Group has been forced to abandon its plan to withdraw from the Government's toxic debt insurance scheme after failing to raise enough capital to meet the Financial Services Authority's strict requirements. The decision dashes the hopes of Eric Daniels, chief executive, who wanted a w
Read moreLondon 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
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