FTSE 100 movers: Smiths leads risers on special dividend payment
18th Sep 2013 15:16
Engineering firm Smiths Group was the top riser after raising its full-year dividend by four per cent and returning 118m pounds to shareholders by way of a special dividend as annual results came in slightly ahead of analysts' estimates. ARM Holdings was looking up on the back of generally positive
Read moreSector movers: Banks rebound after sharp falls
18th Sep 2013 14:26
Stocks in the banking sector were among the highest risers on Wednesday as share prices rebounded following some heavy falls the day before. UK domestic bank Lloyds was towards the top of the pack on the FTSE 100 after bearing the brunt of the selling action on Tuesday. Shares in the part-nationa
Read moreLondon midday: Markets rangebound ahead of Fed decision
18th Sep 2013 11:32
Markets were rangebound on Wednesday morning as investors showed nervousness ahead of the all-important Federal Reserve policy decision later this evening. UK stocks were registering moderating gains by midday but just 19 points separated the FTSE 100's intraday low (6,568) and high (6,587) as trad
Read moreLondon open: Stocks flat as investors turn cautious ahead of Fed
18th Sep 2013 08:16
Markets opened broadly flat on Wednesday morning as investors refrained from building positions ahead of the conclusion of this month's all-important Federal Reserve policy meeting. However, with an announcement from the US central bank not due out until after markets close this evening, there will
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Lloyds, China house prices, RBS
18th Sep 2013 07:06
Retail investors are likely to be able to join in the next sale of the government's stake in Lloyds, the Chancellor said yesterday. Flush from the success of the government's inaugural sale of some of its shares for 3.2bn pounds, George Osborne said: "I will consider all options for later sales of o
Read moreLondon close: Investors take profits ahead of Fed decision
17th Sep 2013 17:01
Stocks extended losses by the end of trade on Tuesday as investors trimmed positions ahead of the much-anticipated Federal Reserve policy meeting tomorrow. Weighing on markets were heavy falls in the banking sector, with Lloyds sinking after the government placed a 6% stake at a 3.1% discount to ye
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Utilities rise on cautious investing
17th Sep 2013 14:50
Utilities stocks Severn Trent and United Utilities were on the rise as investors grew cautious as the US Federal Reserve begins its two-day meeting during which the central bank will debate whether the economy has improved enough to start scaling back its monetary stimulus. Randgold Resources was
Read moreSector movers: Banks fall as government starts Lloyds sell-down
17th Sep 2013 14:36
Banking stocks were among the worst performers in London on Tuesday with Lloyds sinking after the government began to sell-off its stake in the lender five years after its state bailout back in 2008. The UK Financial Investments, the company that manages the government's investments in Lloyds and f
Read moreLondon midday: Markets retreat from six-week high as banks fall
17th Sep 2013 11:23
The upcoming all-important policy decision by the Federal Reserve prompted an element of caution on stock markets across Europe on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 pulling back from a six-week high. Banking stocks were among the notable fallers in London with Lloyds sinking after the government placed a
Read moreBroker tips: Lloyds, Glencore Xstrata, Bunzl...
17th Sep 2013 11:21
The sale of a six per cent stake in Lloyds by the government was a 'very well-timed' disposal, according to Investec. Investec analyst Ian Gordon said: "We regard the government's timing as impeccable, and it appears credible to suggest that it could yet be out in full by the election." Nevertheles
Read moreBroker snap: Government's timing of Lloyds sale is 'impeccable', says Investec
17th Sep 2013 11:15
The sale of a six per cent stake in Lloyds by the government was a 'very well-timed' disposal, according to broker Investec. UK Financial Investments (UKFI), the unit of the Treasury which is handling the sale of Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, said it received £3.21bn for disposing 6% of the le
Read moreUK government begins sale of Lloyds
17th Sep 2013 09:00
The UK government has started selling its 38.7 per cent stake in Lloyds Banking Group. UK Financial Investments (UKFI), the unit of the Treasury which is handling the sale of Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, said it received £3.21bn for disposing 6% of the lender to institutional investors at a p
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Lloyds, Petrofac, Optimal payments
17th Sep 2013 08:36
The government is a bit late to the party but the first step in the winding down of its stake in Lloyds should be welcome. In particular, it is a positive that it finally opted for a placing among institutional investors, rather than an initial public offering [IPO] or convoluted share giveaway, as
Read moreLondon open: Banks lead markets lower ahead of FOMC meeting
17th Sep 2013 08:14
Following a strong start to the week, investors turned cautious ahead of the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting tomorrow afternoon as markets ready themselves for one of the most closely-watched US policy decisions in recent years, given rising expectations that the Fed w
Read moreUKFI to place 6 per cent of Lloyds with institutional shareholders
16th Sep 2013 17:23
UK Financial Investments has announced its intention to sell approximately a 6 per cent stake in Lloyds Banking Group by means of a placing with institutional investors. The price will be set by means of an accelerated bookbuilding process, which began immediately following the announcement. As
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