London close: Stocks hold on to gains
27th May 2011 16:46
Stocks held on to gains going into a long weekend, as Wall Street opened up higher. After a sharp rise in early trading, the Footsie maintained its level around the 5,930-40 mark for the rest of the day, helped by strong showings from the miners and the banks. Just seven stocks finished in the red.
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Essar rises over 5% to lead risers
27th May 2011 14:10
Energy firm Essar Energy is topping the risers, making a +5% gain as of Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Cairn Energy is the heaviest faller, edging just 0.5% lower. Only five stocks are in the red, all recording minor losses. The miners are tracking metals prices higher. Antofagasta, Kazakhmys, Rio Ti
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish after late recovery
25th May 2011 16:43
A late fightback sent the top share index into the blue ahead of trading's after an uncertain day's trading. There was little in the way of company news to move FTSE 100 stocks. Fashion retailer Next and B&Q owner Kingfisher are among the worst performers. Following suit is new kid on the block Gle
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 still struggling to recover
25th May 2011 12:02
The top share index is seeking direction amid continued uncertainty following the slide on Monday. Fashion retailer Next and B&Q owner Kingfisher are among the worst performers. Following suit is new kid on the block Glencore, which is under the weather on its debut on the top-share index. On the
Read moreLondon open: Footsie slips 0.46% early on
25th May 2011 08:54
The Footsie has slipped into the red in early trading heading towards the 5,800 mark, offsetting the gains made yesterday. Fashion retailer Next and B&Q owner Kingfisher are among the worst performers. Following suit is new kid on the block Glencore, which is under the weather on its debut on the t
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slump as euro debt worries continue
23rd May 2011 16:51
The top share index was nursing triple-digit losses by the close of play as the eurozone debt crisis continued to rumble on. The spotlight has turned to Italy, with the ratings agency Standard & Poors changing its stance on the Mediterranean country to "negative" from "stable." The situation is of
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Oil and metals stocks edge rise higher
13th May 2011 15:34
Commodity price-sensitive stocks were wanted today, as the prices of precious metals and oil recovered from the recent sell-off. Oil services group Petrofac is higher after saying it is "increasingly confident" that it will deliver profit growth in line with previous guidance after a strong perform
Read moreLondon close: Stocks slide as global gloom deepens
4th May 2011 16:39
The top share index slumped below 6,000 points as poor economic figures from the US added to the gloom in the afternoon following a poor start to the day from the FTSE 100. Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing sector report fell to 52.8 points in April, from the previous month's 57.3
Read moreSector movers: Next props up the retailers
4th May 2011 14:22
Retailers are in demand on the back of some sentiment-lifting first quarter results from Next. Fashion retailer Next saw shares leap after a strong first quarter, which saw sales increase more than expected. Total sales for the period excluding VAT were up by 5.2% from the same period the previous
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Antofagasta tumbles after disappointing production figures
4th May 2011 13:51
Miner Antofagasta is leading the decline on Wednesday after reporting production figures that missed expectations. Group copper production for the first three months of the year came in at 129,800 tonnes, below forecasts of 158,800 tonnes, reflecting delays and lower-than-budgeted grades at two of i
Read moreLondon midday: Mining stocks lead the slide
4th May 2011 12:16
Mining stocks have been updating the market day to mixed receptions, but with commodity prices falling, the sector, and the FTSE 100, are firmly in the red overall. South America-focused Antofagasta is among the heaviest fallers after its quarterly production report. Group copper production for th
Read moreBroker snap: Difficult consumer outlook at Next
4th May 2011 10:22
Despite a strong quarter for retailer Next, Matrix keeps a 'reduce' rating on the stock, expecting things to get a bit tougher during the rest of the year. Total sales for the period excluding VAT were up by 5.2% from the same period the previous year, ahead of guidance given in March of between -0
Read moreLondon open: Miners weigh on FTSE 100
4th May 2011 08:32
The top share index is demonstrating how it at the mercy of the global economy today, with a strong showing from the retail sector failing to offset weakness in miners as commodity prices fall. Next is higher after warm weather and the royal wedding holiday had shoppers flocking to its stores in th
Read moreLondon pre-open: Equities on the back foot
4th May 2011 07:42
Leading stocks are set to open lower, with City traders suggesting the blue-chip index may take a 40 point tumble at the outset, though corporate news flow should provide some bright spots. Asian markets-focused banking group Standard Chartered released an upbeat trading statement in which it said
Read moreSunshine and Royal Wedding lift Next
4th May 2011 07:13
Warm weather and the Royal Wedding holiday had shoppers flocking to Next's stores in the 13 weeks to 30 April, the fashion retailer Next said as it reported better sales than expected for the period. Total sales for the period excluding VAT were up by 5.2% from the same period the previous year, ah
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