Sector movers: Utilities drop as yield-hunters turn to US debt
29th May 2013 14:46
Every sector in London was either flat or in the red on Wednesday afternoon as concerns about the global economy - following downgrades to growth forecasts from the OECD - sparked a market-wide sell-off. The utilities sectors, which have put in an impressive performance in 2013 so far, were firmly
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 snaps winning streak after poor US data
16th May 2013 16:41
The FTSE 100 has finally ended its long-running winning streak after poor economic data from the States dampened stocks by the close of trade on Thursday. Markets were relatively rangebound for most of the session today, teetering around a five-and-a-half-year high of 6,700 following 10 consecutive
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Aviva leads the way higher on turnaround strategy
16th May 2013 14:39
Insurance group Aviva, was leading the risers after it said it is delivering on its turnaround strategy. The company's pro-forma value of new business, a key measure of its growth, was up 18% in the first quarter at £191m from £162m the year before, driven by improved profitability in UK life insu
Read moreLondon midday: Markets rangebound but winning streak continues
16th May 2013 11:34
The FTSE 100 was continuing to trade within an extremely tight range on Thursday morning as investors consider how much further the rally will go given that the index is already trading at levels not seen in five and a half years. Just 15 points separated the Footsie's intraday low (6,693) and hig
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 breaches 6,700 after Japanese GDP
16th May 2013 08:35
The winning streak on the FTSE 100 continued into its 11th day on Thursday as stronger-than-expected growth in Japan boosted London's benchmark index to fresh five-and-a-half-year highs. The FTSE 100 has been in positive territory since the start of May and was teetering around the 6,700 mark this
Read moreNational Grid reports solid full year progress
16th May 2013 07:04
FTSE 100-listed electricity and gas firm National Grid revealed a solid increase in annual pre-tax profit after a continued strong performance from the UK and progress at its US operations. Total pre-tax profit increased to £2.9bn for the year ended March 31st 2013 from £2.6bn a year earlier. Reven
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 snaps eight-day winning streak as miners fall
14th May 2013 11:50
Strong gains in the utilities sector after a takeover approach for Severn Trent and some well-received results from Babcock International weren't enough to lift markets into positive territory by Tuesday lunchtime, as the FTSE 100 snapped an eight-day winning streak. "The broader market malaise is
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat after strong run, but Severn Trent soars
14th May 2013 08:19
Strong gains for Severn Trent and other utility providers helped offset weakness elsewhere on Tuesday morning as the FTSE 100 paused for breath following an eight-day winning streak. "European markets moved forward modestly today shunning a mixed trading session in Asian stock markets overnight as
Read moreLondon midday: ARM leads markets higher after strong first quarter
23rd Apr 2013 11:31
The UK stock market was making decent gains by Tuesday lunchtime as strong performances from ARM Holdings, AB Foods and IAG helped to offset some weakness in the mining sector. Sentiment was lifted this morning as gloomy economic data from the Eurozone sparked speculation that it could open the doo
Read moreLondon open: Markets rise despite concerns over China
23rd Apr 2013 08:20
Decent gains for ARM Holdings, Associated British Foods and Rolls-Royce were providing a boost to London's stock market on Tuesday morning, offsetting relative weakness in the heavyweight mining sector. Miners were under pressure early on after a disappointing reading of Chinese manufacturing. The
Read moreLondon open: Miners hammered after Chinese slowdown
15th Apr 2013 08:29
Mining stocks were registering sharp falls on Monday morning as a surprise slowdown in Chinese economic growth weighed on the outlook for commodities demand. China's first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth dropped from 7.9% in the prior quarter to 7.7%, while the consensus forecast had be
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Johnson Matthey share lifted by Credit Suisse
12th Apr 2013 15:34
Johnson Matthey shares were lifted by Credit Suisse, in which it said the speciality chemical makers is in a better position than its peers in Europe in terms of its position within the industry. The broker reiterated its 'outperform' rating on the stock. Aggreko shares got a boost after Jefferies
Read moreLondon close: Markets hammered by fears over US labour market
5th Apr 2013 17:03
A lacklustre US employment report resulted in a market sell-off across global indices on Friday afternoon as the American economy added much fewer jobs than expected in March. Market Analyst Craig Erlam from Alpari said that the optimism surrounding the US recovery "has been shattered in the space
Read moreSector movers: Defensives fare well in market sell-off
5th Apr 2013 16:05
Defensive sectors were making slight gains on Friday as a disappointing employment report from the States prompted a sharp decline in risk appetite and some heavy falls across global stock markets. US non-farm payrolls increased by just 88,000 in March, the lowest rise in nine months, according to
Read moreLondon close: Stocks edge higher ahead of long Easter weekend
28th Mar 2013 16:43
Stocks finished moderately higher on Thursday, though gains were trimmed in afternoon trade as traders scaled back risk appetite ahead of a long four-day weekend for the Easter holidays. Meanwhile, continuing concerns over the Eurozone kept markets on their toes today, as political uncertainty in I
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