FTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher surges on upgrade, miners and oil stocks lower
4th Jun 2015 13:16
UK stocks dipped on Thursday afternoon amid mixed messages coming out about progress in Greece and volatile sovereign debt markets. Sector-wise, miners, utilities and transport stocks provided the biggest drag, offsetting decent performances from retailers and property stocks. As of 14:30 BST, the
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Vodafone, National Grid, bank legal claims
24th May 2015 16:21
Several of Vodafone's major shareholders have urged the telecoms giant to pursue a merger with US-based Virgin Media owner Liberty Global and offload some of its overseas businesses. After Liberty's owner, US billionaire John Malone, dropped heavy hints about a potential deal, the Sunday Telegraph r
Read moreLondon close: Stocks finish flat on global economic data comes in mixed
21st May 2015 16:42
A barrage of mixed economic data from across the globe had an equally mixed impact on the markets on Thursday, with UK stocks finishing broadly flat after swinging between gains and losses for most of the session. Mining shares were lifted by stimulus speculation in China while the energy sector was
Read moreOfgem launches investigation into Alkane and others over National Grid auction
21st May 2015 14:38
The UK energy regulator Ofgem has begun an investigation into five companies, including listed Alkane Energy, over concerns they "provided false or misleading information about planning consents" when bidding for National Grid contracts. In December 2014, National Grid held its annual capacity aucti
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks dip as investors shrug off strong retail sales
21st May 2015 11:58
Stronger-than-expected retail sales data wasn't enough to boost London's stocks on Thursday with markets rangebound as the FTSE 100 continues to fluctuate around the 7,000 mark. UK retail sales jumped 1.2% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics, more than making up for the 0.7% de
Read moreLondon open: FTSE flat ahead of UK retail sales data
21st May 2015 08:42
A mixed reaction to corporate earnings and a number of blue chips going ex-dividend weighed on UK stock markets on Thursday morning, with the Footsie opening broadly flat. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.01% lower at 7,006.62 early on. Concerns about Greece continued to rumble on in the background follo
Read moreNational Grid profit rises, but dividend disappoints
21st May 2015 07:57
Electricity and gas utility group National Grid hailed "another successful year" as it beat profit forecasts for the 12 months to 31 March, though investors were left underwhelmed with smaller-than-expected increase in the dividend. The company recommended a final dividend of 28.16p per share, up fr
Read moreNational Grid agreeing €2bn link to buy cheaper electricity from Norway
26th Mar 2015 10:48
UK energy infrastructure operator National Grid said it was nearing agreement on the creation of a €2bn electricity link to allow the UK to buy cheaper power from Norway. FTSE 100-listed National Grid said it intended on Thursday to sign an ownership agreement with Norway's main electricity transmis
Read moreNational Grid gets promoted to overweight by HSBC
5th Mar 2015 11:05
UK utilities giant National Grid had its rating promoted to 'overweight' on Thursday by HSBC who have cited the company's defensive characteristics as attractive. The bank raise the company's rating to 'overweight' from 'neutral' and thinks the stock's recent underperformance offers a buying opportu
Read moreLondon open: Stocks drop on Greek fears, but miners rise on Chinese stimulus hopes
9th Feb 2015 09:08
Mining stocks were shrugging off some gloomy economic data from China on Monday morning on hopes for further stimulus in Beijing, though the wider market was dragged into the red on the back of ongoing concerns about Greece. London's FTSE 100 was down 1% at 6,786 early on. Greek prime minister Alex
Read moreNational Grid cancels publication of interims following FCA ruling
27th Jan 2015 08:21
National Grid said it has ceased publication of its first and third quarter results after the UK regulator removed a rule that required companies to release interim statements. The company said it will continue to provide updates covering market and company developments along with its half year and
Read moreSunday share tips: Mitie, UK Mail, Vodafone
18th Jan 2015 18:44
Mitie's shares have fallen but not as fast as those of outsourcing rivals such as Serco and Balfour Beatty, Danny Fortson pointed out in the Sunday Times. Matthew Earl, a former City analyst who writes a blog, criticised Mitie for buying companies to compensate for its own slow progress and for the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Aggreko appreciates on deal, Sainsbury's outlook weak
7th Jan 2015 14:00
Shares in temporary power provider Aggreko rocketed after it signed a two-year contract with Energia Argentina and extended another deal in Africa. Aggreko will deliver an extra 150MW of diesel-fuelled power in Argentina and has additionally agreed to extend its existing 300MW of capacity with the s
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners hit by weak data, but Babcock and Johnson Matthey jump
20th Nov 2014 14:00
Mining stocks were suffering steep losses on Thursday as a wave of disappointing economic data prompted investors to scale back their appetite for risk. Figures from top metals consumer China in particular were weighing on sentiment, as its manufacturing sector stagnated in November. Rio Tinto, Angl
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks fall as global PMI data dampens sentiment
20th Nov 2014 11:45
The UK stock market slumped on Thursday as a wave of disappointing economic data and speculation about a looming interest-rate hike in the States prompted investors to tread cautiously. London's FTSE 100 was down 0.7% at 6,649 by midday, with the heavyweight mining sector providing a drag as figures
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