Barclays confident on dividend prospects at Lloyds
19th Jan 2016 12:15
(ShareCast News) - Volatility in markets since the start of 2016 has apparently led investors to seek cover in those lenders' shares whose dividend payouts seem more secure, analysts at Barclays said. This "marked preference" for dividends that can be seen (ie near-term) versus those that need to be
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: China confidence boosts miners
13th Jan 2016 14:05
(ShareCast News) - The FTSE 100 was in the black again on Wednesday, up 73.00 points (1.23%) by mid-afternoon to 6,002.24. Miners led the way as confidence was restored somewhat in China, the world's largest commodities importer after data showed China's trade surplus rose more than expected. It wi
Read moreBroker tips: Sainsbury's, BBA Aviation, Lloyds
13th Jan 2016 12:55
(ShareCast News) - Sainsbury's third quarter highlights the group's compelling strategy and differentiation from the other 'Big Four' supermarkets, Societe Generale said on Wednesday. The company's like-for-like (LFL) retail sales were down 0.4% over the festive third quarter but by less than the 0.
Read moreLloyds downgraded on Exane's bleak outlook for sector
13th Jan 2016 08:49
(ShareCast News) - Exane BNP Paribas has downgraded Lloyds Banking Group from 'neutral' to 'underperform' and reiterated its 'underperform' rating for Barclays on a bleak operational outlook for UK banks. In a note to investors on Wednesday, it said comments from the Department for Business, Innovat
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: BT, Shire, Sainsbury's, Laird
10th Jan 2016 16:15
(ShareCast News) - A handful of much-anticipated deals could be announced in the coming week, according to the Sunday newspapers, including BT's acquisition of EE, Shire's takeover of Baxalta and Sainsbury's follow up offer for Home Retail. BT's acquisition of mobile phone network EE will be given f
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Saudi/Iran, Shire, retailers, LLoyds
4th Jan 2016 07:11
(ShareCast News) - Saudi Arabia on Sunday severed ties with Iran in the escalating dispute over the execution of a Shia cleric by Riyadh and the consequent storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran. As the diplomatic crisis between the regional rivals escalated, Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir t
Read moreLloyds wins appeal over high-interest bonds
10th Dec 2015 11:16
(ShareCast News) - Lloyds Banking Group shares popped higher after the bank said it has won an appeal to buy back high-interest bonds early. Lloyds said the Court of Appeal found unanimously in the group's favour that a capital disqualification event, as defined in the conditions of the enhanced cap
Read moreLondon midday: Equities slide as BoE keeps interest rates unchanged
10th Dec 2015 11:09
(ShareCast News) - UK equities declined as the Bank of England voted 8-1 to keep interest rates unchanged. The BoE left interest rates at 0.5% and the asset purchase programme at £375bn, as expected by analysts, amid a slowdown in emerging economies, low inflation and a strong pound. The minutes of
Read moreUK government extends Lloyds selloff plan by up to six months
4th Dec 2015 09:35
(ShareCast News) - The UK government has announced plans to keep selling shares in Lloyds Banking Group to institutional investors, extending its original trading plan by up to six months. In a statement on Friday, UK Financial Investments Ltd - which is managing the sale on the government's behalf
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Banks lead the charge after stress test results
1st Dec 2015 14:15
(ShareCast News) - The FTSE 100 was in the black on Tuesday, sitting at 6,379.33, up 23.24 points (0.37%) by mid-afternoon. The biggest risers came from the banking sector after all seven of Britain's largest banks passed stress tests by the Bank of England, with Governor Mark Carney assuring that n
Read moreAll seven UK banks pass BoE stress tests
1st Dec 2015 07:06
(ShareCast News) - All seven of Britain's largest banks have passed stress tests by the Bank of England, with Governor Mark Carney assuring that no new wave of higher capital requirements was incoming. Investors took confidence from Carney's affirmation that banks would need to hold Tier 1 equity of
Read moreHBOS probe may lead to bans for bosses
16th Nov 2015 10:15
(ShareCast News) - The bosses of bailed-out bank HBOS may be banned from working in the City of London after it emerged that they allegedly put pressure on auditing firm KPMG to fudge accounts. An official investigation by the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct A
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Paris reaction, banking fallout, HBOS, Rolls
15th Nov 2015 15:57
(ShareCast News) - Analysts and strategists have predicted European and Asian stock markets will fall sharply but not lead to a major crash on Monday amid fears that the terror attacks in Paris will hurt Europe's economic recovery. European markets are expected to lose 2% when trading begins, with t
Read moreSector movers: Utilities downgraded, banks hit by FSB capital rules
9th Nov 2015 16:05
(ShareCast News) - The utilities sector was the worst performer on Monday, with banks starting well but losing ground and fund managers well bought. Banks got off to a good start early in the session, with Barclays, RBS, HSBC and Standard Chartered all powering higher as, following last week's robus
Read moreLondon close: Stocks rally ahead of Fed's interest rate decision
28th Oct 2015 16:14
(ShareCast News) - The London stock market closed higher on Wednesday before the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates. The FTSE ended up 72.53 points to 6,437.80. The Fed releases its policy decision at 1800 GMT and is expected to keep rates at 0.25% amid low inflation and concerns about th
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