Sir Ken Morrison share deals to spark FSA probe
2nd Mar 2011 13:29
The City watchdog is preparing to investigate Sir Ken Morrison, the former chairman of Wm Morrison, for apparently failing to tell anyone he'd sold almost 137m shares in the supermarket chain. Sir Ken gave up the chairman's role in March 2008, but the youngest son of the company's founder remains L
Read moreLondon midday: Shares in partial recovery
2nd Mar 2011 12:30
Shares have moved back towards positive territory after a difficult start, with the Middle East turmoil still casting a shadow. Company updates have been given a mixed reception. The price of a barrel of oil traded above $100 a barrel as the fighting continues in Libya. Latest reports say forces lo
Read moreLondon open: Subdued start as Libya weighs
2nd Mar 2011 08:49
Blue chips have made a subdued start with the ongoing situation in the Middle East/North Africa and possible impact on oil prices weighing heavy. Some shares are making progress. Profits in 2010 from Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were bang in line with forecasts at $6.12bn, while 2011 got of
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Jaguar, Wm Morrison, Gold...
2nd Mar 2011 06:35
The manufacturing recovery was in full swing yesterday as four leading exporters reported booming profits, while confidence in the sector remained at record high levels. However, one of Britain's leading industrialists has warned that the Government must do more to boost the sector or risk stifling
Read moreSupermarkets profiteering from rising food prices
1st Mar 2011 14:19
Expanding food margins have outpaced the rising cost of food, leading to claims of profiteering at the UK's biggest supermarkets. Food prices in the UK have risen more sharply than any other member economy of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and have "significantly
Read moreLondon close: Late rally not enough
15th Feb 2011 16:44
Weakness in the US sent shares into the red and a slight rally in late trading failed to lift the FTSE 100 into positive territory. US retail sales were up 0.3% in January, according to the Commerce Department, though they'd risen 0.5% the month before and were expected to do the same this time. Ex
Read moreLondon afternoon: US retail sales setback
15th Feb 2011 14:30
Footsie moved into the red over the lunch time session after the release of disappointing US retail sales figures. US retail sales were up 0.3% in January, according to the Commerce Department, though they'd risen 0.5% the month before and were expected to do the same this time. Excluding autos,
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 little changed
15th Feb 2011 12:09
Shares are still seeking direction in spite of some notable movements in both directions. Barclays has moved ahead after results. The bank has cut its staff bonuses by 7% even though profits jumped by a better than expected 32% as bad charges tumbled everywhere except Spain. Pre-tax profits in 2010
Read moreLondon open: Footsie marks time
15th Feb 2011 08:57
A limp performance in the US overnight and a tricky session in Asia this morning has resulted in London trading sideways in early dealings. Barclays has cut its staff bonuses by 7% even though profits jumped by a better than expected 32% as bad charges tumbled everywhere except Spain. Pre-tax profi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie to pull back
15th Feb 2011 07:39
A limp performance in the US overnight and a tricky session in Asia this morning mean London is likely to slip back about a dozen points in early trade Tuesday. Barclays has cut its staff bonuses by 7% even though profits jumped by a better than expected 32% as bad charges tumbled everywhere except
Read moreMorrisons moves into e-commerce with Kiddicare purchase
15th Feb 2011 07:25
Supermarket chain Morrisons has made its long awaited first step into the online retailing world with the purchase of multi-channel retailer Kiddicare. Morrisons is paying £70m for the company and, more importantly, the rights to its technology platform, which could form the basis of Morrisons own
Read moreMorrisons to fashion a move into clothes sales
7th Feb 2011 15:15
Supermarket Morrisons is in talks with the fashion designer George Davies over a possible launch of a clothing range that will help it to bring its non-food offering in line with other supermarkets. George Davies' 'George' brand was launched at Morrisons' rival Asda in the early 1990s. He also laun
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Energy groups, Retail sales, RBS...
7th Feb 2011 06:42
The big six energy companies could be driven from Britain if they are treated too harshly in any pricing investigation, a senior minister has told The Times. In an intervention likely to put pressure on regulators, Charles Hendry said that suppliers might be too important to future energy security
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie recovers from US jobs jolt
4th Feb 2011 14:40
The Footsie kept its head above 6,000 over the lunchtime period despite a negative reaction to US jobless figures at 1:30. Nonfarm payrolls rose just 36,000 last month, the Labor Department said Friday, well below forecasts of at least 140,000. On the bright side, December's number was revised up t
Read moreLondon open: Quiet start for blue chips
4th Feb 2011 08:47
Footsie is subdued with the company results schedule a bit threadbare and January non-farm payrolls data from the US due out this afternoon. Utilities are one bright spot, with United Utilities, Severn Trent and International Power all higher. Wm Morrison has been upgraded to 'buy' from 'neutral
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