London close: US sparks Footsie recovery
26th May 2009 16:29
Footsie finished higher Tuesday after a strong performance by US shares, lifted by consumer confidence figures, hauled London's leading share index out of the red. The mining sector summed up the volatility seen on the markets today. Rio Tinto climbed after it said it had agreed a 33% cut in contra
Read moreLondon afternoon: Defensive stocks back in favour
26th May 2009 14:42
Hopes that Wall Street might provide a fillip to UK shares have been dashed as US markets open in a similarly dull fashion to London. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers while defensive sectors such as tobaccos and supermarkets have returned to favour. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lo
Read moreLondon midday: Equities drift lower
26th May 2009 12:07
It was a dull morning session for London's leading shares, with the market following Asian markets lower after the news broke concerning North Korea's nuclear bomb test. Mining stocks and financials are the worst performers. Mining giant Rio Tinto is lower after it agreed a 33% cut in contract fin
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Land Securities, Brixton Estates, Lloyds
24th May 2009 09:22
The chief executive of Land Securities, Francis Salway, has been given six months to come up with a radical business plan for the FTSE 100 property giant - or face being sacked. Alison Carnwath, the new chairwoman, has laid down the gauntlet after a set of shocking results this month, which saw th
Read moreLondon close: Downgrade threat sinks Footsie
21st May 2009 16:35
Footsie closed with triple-digit fall as investors got spooked by fears that the UK may lose its triple-A credit rating. Credit-rating agency Standard & Poor's said: 'We have revised the outlook on the UK to negative due to our view that, even assuming additional fiscal tightening, the net general
Read moreLondon afternoon: Decline picks up pace
21st May 2009 14:36
The Footsie is nursing a triple-digit fall as investors bail out of equities, spooked by fears that the UK may lose its triple-A credit rating. Credit-rating agency Standard & Poor's said: 'We have revised the outlook on the UK to negative due to our view that, even assuming additional fiscal tigh
Read moreMore job losses at Lloyds
21st May 2009 13:37
Staff at Lloyds Banking Group were dealt another blow today as the part-nationalised lender announced a further 211 full-time jobs will go by January 2010. Lloyds, 43% owned by the taxpayer, continues to streamline the business following last year's takeover of rival HBOS. The latest cuts come abo
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Lloyds Banking, RBS, Clinton Cards
21st May 2009 06:12
The British taxpayer would make a £17.6bn loss if the Government sold out of Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland at today's prices. The figures, compiled by analysts at Exane BNP Paribas, make even a partial sale of the Government's stake in either bank before a general election next sp
Read moreLondon close: Jittery Footsie finishes lower
20th May 2009 16:36
Footsie failed to sustain a slight rally that came after a positive US opening and finished in the red after an indecisive day's trading. Miners Lonmin, Rio Tinto, Vedanta, Randgold, Antofagasta and Kazakhmys all went well, while silver and gold producer Fresnillo was wanted after it said it has su
Read moreLondon afternoon: Wall St. sparks London rally
20th May 2009 14:49
A buoyant opening on Wall Street has encouraged UK shares to claw back the morning's losses and the FTSE 100 is now virtually back up to its overnight level. Banks are leading the revival, with Lonmin, Rio Tinto, Vedanta, Randgold, Antofagasta and Kazakhmys all going well, while silver and gold pro
Read moreSector movers: Metals stocks rise again
20th May 2009 12:48
The industrial metals sector is shrugging off a gloomy trading update from International Ferro Metals to climb for the second day in a row. The ferrochrome producer said it remains focused on preserving cash and cutting costs as it reported falling sales of the alloy used to make stainless steel. I
Read moreLondon midday: Financials drag Footsie down
20th May 2009 12:01
Leading shares remain mixed with the Footsie in negative territory thanks, in part, to weak performance by financial stocks. The share price of Lloyds Banking Group has been adjusted to take into account the fact that the shares no longer carry the right to participate in the group's compensatory o
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Experian boosts its own credit-worthiness
20th May 2009 11:44
Credit checking group Experian has pushed on after brokers' warmed to its latest trading update, saying that its own credit-worthiness is looking better than expected on the the amount of cash it generated in the second half of last year. Broker Charles Stanley said the pre-tax profits of $843m wer
Read moreLondon opening: Footsie opens quietly
20th May 2009 08:40
Wall Street's weaker tone is being echoed in London with blue chips struggling to make headway. Credit checking firm Experian hailed its revenue and profit growth last year despite exceptionally difficult market conditions. Revenue rose to $3,873m in the year to 31 March 2009 from $3,789m a year ea
Read moreLondon pre-open: Equities to follow Wall St. lower
20th May 2009 07:43
Wall Street's weaker tone looks set to be echoed in London at the outset, with City sources expecting the FTSE 100 index to open around 18 points down from last night's close of 4,482. Credit checking firm Experian hailed its revenue and profit growth last year despite exceptionally difficult marke
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