London midday: Stocks rise as geopolitical tensions ease
18th Aug 2014 11:34
- Investors focus on crisis talks in Berlin - Carney says rate hike may come before wage growth - UK asking prices drop by record 2.9% in August - Bovis Homes impresses with 166% increase in H1 profit techMARK 2,779.40 +0.86% FTSE 100 6,733.96 +0.67% FTSE 250 15,763.23 +0.61% A reduction in geopol
Read moreMorrisons extends hours but dividend outlook uncertain, says Shore Capital
18th Aug 2014 10:34
The decision by UK grocery chain Wm Morrison to extend its opening hours may help improve weak like-for-like (LFL) sales trends, but the future of its dividend remains uncertain, according to Shore Capital which kept a 'sell' rating on the stock on Monday. The broker said that "uncertainty and poor
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise amid Ukraine crisis talks
18th Aug 2014 09:14
- Crisis talks in focus in Berlin - UK rates could rise before wage growth sets in, Carney says - Bovis gains after strong growth in H1 profits techMARK 2,780.09 +0.89% FTSE 100 6,734.04 +0.67% FTSE 250 15,757.36 +0.57% UK stocks rose strongly on Monday on the back of a slight reduction in geopoli
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Prudential impresses with H1 profits, oil stocks fall
12th Aug 2014 14:49
Insurer Prudential impressed the market on Tuesday after the insurer's US and Asia businesses helped to boost group operating profits by a better-than-expected 17% to £1.52bn in the first half, despite a drop in UK annuity sales sparked by government pension changes. Oil stocks such as Shell, BP a
Read moreLondon close: Stocks pare losses despite geopolitical jitters
8th Aug 2014 17:17
- US authorises Iraq airstrikes - Fighting resumes in Gaza - Banks, supermarkets, precious metals limit losses techMARK 2,694.22 -0.58% FTSE 100 6,567.36 -0.45% FTSE 250 15,243.38 +0.02% UK stocks had pared earlier losses by the close of trading although risk-averse traders remained on the sidelin
Read moreLondon midday: Losses pared but geopolitics still a concern
8th Aug 2014 12:10
- US authorises Iraq airstrikes - Fighting resumes in Gaza - TUI Travel and wider sector tumbles - Banks, supermarkets, precious metals limit losses techMARK 2,684.77 -0.93% FTSE 100 6,559.47 -0.57% FTSE 250 15,185.28 -0.36% UK stocks had pared early losses but were still firmly in the red by Frid
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Carillion-Balfour, share sell-off, Lloyds Banking
3rd Aug 2014 18:04
Carillion plans to put Balfour Beatty in a "bear hug" to tempt Balfour's shareholders to support its attempted takeover, the Sunday Times said. Carillion last week scuppered a planned all-share merger when it backtracked on the agreed sale of Balfour's Parsons Brinckerhoff US design consultancy. Wit
Read moreTesco and Morrisons lose market share to discounters
1st Aug 2014 13:07
Tesco and Morrisons continue to bleed market share to competitors, such as discounters Aldi and Lidl or upscale chain Waitrose. Thus, Tesco's market share decreased to 28.3% over the last 12 weeks from 29.7% and Morrisons fell to 10.9% from 11.4%, according to the latest data from Nielsen. On this
Read moreLondon close: GKN and Next lead FTSE to 20 point gain
29th Jul 2014 16:59
- FTSE up 19.68 points to 6,807.75 - US house prices up 9.3% in April - Housing data shows 0.2% monthly increase techMARK 2,782.23 +0.22% FTSE 100 6,807.75 +0.29% FTSE 250 15,687.02 +0.45% A positive response to updates from engineer GKN and fashion retailer Next drove the FTSE 100 index 19.68 poi
Read moreTesco and Morrisons hit as UK grocery market falls
29th Jul 2014 09:32
The British grocery market hit its lowest growth rate for a decade as discounters took another bite out of Tesco and Morrisons' business. Grocery price inflation fell to a historic low of 0.4% and the grocery market expanded by just 0.9% - the lowest figure for 10 years - in the 12 weeks to July 20
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks to rise after upbeat session in Asia
29th Jul 2014 07:41
Lifted by an upbeat session in Asia, London's blue chips are expected to move higher early on. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 14 points higher than yesterday's close of 6,788.07. Data released from Japan indicated that while household and consumer spending had declined, it was
Read moreMorrisons names former Tesco exec as new Chairman
29th Jul 2014 07:29
Supermarket chain Wm Morrison has appointed Andrew Higginson as its new Chairman, he is due to replace Sir Ian Gibson when he retires next year. Higginson, a former Executive Director at Tesco for 15 years, currently chairs the boards of fellow retailers Poundland and N Brown and also stands as Sen
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Home Retail, strong pound, Lloyds Banking Group
27th Jul 2014 18:00
Home Retail Group is considering a sale of its £1.5bn Homebase DIY chain, the Mail on Sunday said. Home Retail wants to concentrate on its core Argos business under new group Chief Executive John Walden, who turned around Argos in the previous two years. Stronger sales and profitability at Homebase
Read moreLondon close: FTSE closes higher as tensions ease, ARM leads
22nd Jul 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes 66.90 higher at 6,795.34 - Geopolitical tensions ease - UK factory orders slow in July techMARK 2,826.65 +0.92% FTSE 100 6,795.34 +0.99% FTSE 250 15,650.73 +1.06% It was a strong finish for London's top tier stocks on Tuesday, with the FTSE rising steadily after an initial jump early
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: ARM leads the charge after strong Q2
22nd Jul 2014 15:53
Chip designer ARM Holdings was a high riser as it delivered a confident outlook, hailing a "healthy pipeline of opportunities" after strong licensing results helped profits beat expectations in the second quarter. The tech group, which makes processors for smartphones and tablets, said pre-tax profi
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