London Close: Dubai worries knock market
26th Nov 2009 17:25
The London market wasn't helped by a technical glitch at the London Stock Exchange but it was never going to be a good day due to worries about the debt problems of Dubai. The fact that there was no trading for more than three hours just made investors even more nervous. The FTSE 100 fell by more
Read moreLondon afternoon: Trading resumes .. so does the decline
26th Nov 2009 14:18
Trading resumed on the London Stock Exchange at 2:00pm after the exchange's technical glitch, but prices are not looking any healthier than they were before the trading interruption. Banks are under the cosh on concerns over Dubai's debt situation. The government owned Dubai World, which has debts
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Water firms gush higher
26th Nov 2009 12:15
Water group Northumbrian gushes higher after Ofwat said it can raise annual bills by £17 to £331 over the next five years, having previously indicated it would only allow a £3 rise. Peer Pennon is also higher. Sticking with liquids, shares in Irn-Bru maker Barr and Tango firm Britvic are fizzing a
Read moreLondon midday: Trading suspended on LSE
26th Nov 2009 12:07
Banks shares are leading the market lower today as investors fret about the debt situation in Dubai. The government owned Dubai World, which has debts of $59bn, has asked creditors if it can delay debt repayments due next month until May of next year. HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Lloyds
Read moreLondon open: Dull start for Footsie
26th Nov 2009 08:35
London's blue chips have opened lower despite relief among water investors over the final price settings for the next five years. Water companies will have to cut bills in real terms between 2010 and 2015, the water regulator Ofwat said, though not by as much as it previously proposed. Ofwat said a
Read moreOfwat waters down price cut proposals
26th Nov 2009 07:18
Water regulator Ofwat has ruled that water companies will have to lower bills over the next five years, though by less than it previously proposed. Ofwat said average annual bills will have to fall by £3 to £340 between 2010 and 2015. However, the price cuts proposed by Ofwat are less favourable
Read moreWater firms await Ofwat pricing proposals
25th Nov 2009 15:02
Water companies are not normally known as generators of great excitement, but all eyes will be on the sector tomorrow as the regulator Ofwat gives its final determination on how much they can charge customers over the next five years. With householders still reeling from the economic crisis, the wa
Read moreSector movers: Water groups on the rise
24th Nov 2009 13:14
Water groups are on the rise after strong numbers from Severn Trent, which operates in the English Midlands and Wales. Underlying pre-tax profits at Severn climbed to £188m from £154.5m on revenues that rose to £852.1m from £814.3m. The interim dividend was lifted by 1.6% to 26.71p. The water comp
Read moreSevern Trent posts profit rise ahead of Ofwat decision
24th Nov 2009 07:04
Water supplier Severn Trent posted a rise in turnover and profits in the six months to September 30 and lifted its dividend ahead of the regulator's final decision on how much it can charge customers over the next five years. Underlying pre-tax profits climbed to £188m from £154.5m on revenues that
Read moreLondon close: Footsie 100 points higher
23rd Nov 2009 16:37
Footsie closed more than 100 points higher on Monday thanks to a record price for gold, an early rally on Wall Street and strength across the financial sector. Gold has hit new highs, and that has led to sharp mark-ups in the price of gold miner Randgold and silver and gold miner Fresnillo. Elsewhe
Read moreLondon afternoon: Rally into three figures
23rd Nov 2009 14:49
A record price for gold, an early rally on Wall Street and strength across the financial sector has sent London to its best levels of the day. Gold has hit new highs, and that has led to sharp mark-ups in the price of gold miner Randgold and silver and gold miner Fresnillo. Elsewhere in the sector
Read moreLondon midday: Cadbury hits new high
23rd Nov 2009 12:06
London shares are racing ahead as the dollar's recent strength wanes, prompting renewed interest in mining shares. Gold has hit new highs, and that has led to sharp mark-ups in the price of gold miner Randgold and silver and gold miner Fresnillo. Elsewhere in the sector ENRC, Lonmin, Xstrata, Rio
Read moreLondon open: Miners propel Footsie higher
23rd Nov 2009 08:51
Miners are driving Footsie higher again, with all of the top ten gainers metals groups. Xstrata, Rio Tinto and Randgold are the top risers, but the gains are sector-wide and strong. There's also good news at Lloyds Banking Group where the bank has the part-nationalised lender enjoyed "strong dema
Read moreLondon pre-open: Lloyds in focus as Footsie targets 5,300
23rd Nov 2009 07:38
It looks like being a bright start to the week, with the leading index predicted to rise 50 points at the start of play and Wall Street showing early indications it will jump later today. There's also good news at Lloyds Banking Group where the bank has the part-nationalised lender enjoyed "strong
Read moreNorthumbrian posts profit rise ahead of Ofwat decision
23rd Nov 2009 07:04
Northumbrian Water said the final decision by the regulator Ofwat on how much it can charge customers over the next five years is a 'key risk' as it posted a rise in profits on the back of previous price rises. The firm which operates water and waste services in the northeast of England, saw pre-ta
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