London close: Stocks surge to two-and-a-half-week high after Fed taper
19th Dec 2013 16:31
- FTSE 100 at highest since December 2nd after Fed taper - Fed scales back stimulus, gives guidance on rates - Carnival jumps late on after FY results - Pharmaceutical and life insurance stocks rise techMARK 2,735.02 +1.40% FTSE 100 6,584.70 +1.43% FTSE 250 15,589.95 +1.45% UK stocks surged to a t
Read moreSector movers: Life Insurers lifted by ratings report
19th Dec 2013 14:39
Life insurers were almost universally higher after rating agency Fitch gave an encouraging bill of health on US counterparts for 2014. The sector was up 2.3 per cent on the day. Insurance peers Aviva, Legal & General, Old Mutual, Phoenix, Prudential, St James's Place and Standard Life were all high
Read moreLondon midday: Markets edge higher after three straight losses
13th Dec 2013 11:15
- Taper speculation picks up after budget deal - RSA drops on profit warning, CEO exit - FTSE 100 rebounds from two-month low techMARK 2,662.49 +0.37% FTSE 100 6,457.75 +0.19% FTSE 250 15,251.18 +0.26% The FTSE 100 snapped three straight days of losses on Friday morning but was trading within a na
Read moreLondon open: Markets flat at two-month low, RSA plummets
13th Dec 2013 08:26
- FTSE 100 flat after three straight losses - House passes budget deal at wide margin - Risk appetite still subdued ahead of Fed meeting - RSA plummets after profit warning, CEO exit techMARK 2,661.33 +0.33% FTSE 100 6,446.47 +0.02% FTSE 250 15,234.70 +0.15% UK markets opened more or less flat on
Read moreLondon pre-open: FTSE to nudge higher ahead of quiet session
13th Dec 2013 07:26
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open three points higher than yesterday's close of 6,445.25, ticking marginally higher after a week of declines. It looks set to be a quiet session on both the company and macro fronts, as investors digest the news out from the US last night that the House in
Read moreOld Mutual to wave farewell to Finance Director in 2014
13th Dec 2013 07:09
Fund manager Old Mutual has announced the its Group Finance Director, Philip Broadley, is planning to leave the company in 2014. He has agreed to stay on in the role until a successor has been appointed and responsibilities sufficiently transitioned over to the new director, expected sometime afte
Read moreLondon pre-open: Falls expected ahead of policy decisions, Autumn Statement
5th Dec 2013 07:37
- Taper fears continue to erode risk appetite - BoE, ECB in focus ahead of policy decisions - Autumn Statement due out UK markets are expected to fall again on Thursday after hitting their lowest level in over seven weeks, as speculation surrounding a withdrawal of stimulus in the States continues
Read moreOld Mutual gets green light for acquisition of Faulu Kenya
5th Dec 2013 07:09
Old Mutual is one step closer to completing the acquisition of a majority stake in micro-lender company Faulu Kenya after receiving regulatory approvals. The Financial Services Board of South Africa and the Central Bank of Kenya have given the green light on the deal. Ralph Mupita, Chief Executiv
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 hits seven-week low on taper fears
3rd Dec 2013 16:28
- FTSE 100 at lowest level since October 14th - US jobs report in focus as taper speculation picks up - UK construction activity at six-year high techMARK 2,640.56 -0.50% FTSE 100 6,532.43 -0.95% FTSE 250 15,153.14 -1.18% The FTSE 100 finished around one per cent lower on Tuesday and at a seven-we
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Next climbs on BRC comments and broker rating
3rd Dec 2013 14:14
Next was leading the risers today, buoyed by a report from the British Retail Consortium, which said despite overall poor sales clothing retailers had performed well in November, as well as Oriel Securities, which upped its rating on the stock to 'buy' from 'hold'. It said of the group: "The Directo
Read moreLondon midday: Miners, financials drag markets lower despite strong UK data
3rd Dec 2013 11:21
- Risk appetite fades as markets await jobs data - Mining, financial sectors sold off - UK construction PMI defies expectations, jumps to six-year high techMARK 2,645.44 -0.31% FTSE 100 6,539.87 -0.84% FTSE 250 15,211.51 -0.80% UK markets were firmly in negative territory on Tuesday morning despit
Read moreBroker tips: Old Mutual, Banks, Miners
3rd Dec 2013 11:21
JPMorgan Cazenove has trimmed its target price for savings and investment group Old Mutual from 228p to 223p. after adjusting for currency movements. However, the bank maintained its 'overweight' rating on the stock, highlighting attractive and improving returns from its emerging market life busin
Read moreBroker snap: JPMorgan trims Old Mutual target but stays upbeat
3rd Dec 2013 10:41
JPMorgan Cazenove has trimmed its target price for savings and investment group Old Mutual after adjusting for currency movements, but maintained its 'overweight' rating on the stock, highlighting attractive and improving returns from its emerging market life business. "Due to the significant weake
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
3rd Dec 2013 09:10
Arrow Global: Numis starts with a target price of 270p and an add rating. Antofagasta: UBS shaves target price from 870p to 845p, 'neutral' rating maintained. Aquarius Platinum: UBS cuts target price from 44p to 43p, 'neutral' rating kept. Ashtead Group: Citi raises target price from 750p to 800p
Read moreOld Mutual to sell Skandia Poland to simplify European operations
12th Nov 2013 07:48
Life assurance group Old Mutual has agreed to sell Skandia Poland to Vienna Insurance Group as part of its efforts to simplify its operations in Europe and focus on a select number of core growth markets. At the end of September, Skandia, which is part of Old Mutual Wealth, had funds under managem
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