London open: Financials lead gains
8th Jul 2011 08:40
Financial stocks were leading the risers on Friday morning, as the Footsie built on gains made on Thursday. Banking peers Barclays, Lloyds and RBS were among the best performers. Following suit were insurers Old Mutual, Aviva, Resolution, Prudential and RSA Insurance. Both Hammerson and British La
Read moreLondon close: Miners, banks finish strongly
28th Jun 2011 16:33
The Footsie was bolstered by a decent start on Wall Street, as US house prices rose for the first time in eight months. Furthermore, global market sentiment was buoyed ahead of a critical vote in Greece to approve austerity measures, vital for the country to receive financial aid. French president
Read moreGoldman reshuffles recommendations on insurers
28th Jun 2011 08:50
Goldman Sachs made important changes to its view on several of the main UK life assurance companies on Tuesday, according to reports, due to what it seems to think is a trend towards a greater commoditisation of the industry´s products. Thus, it has lowered Aviva to 'neutral' from 'buy' and Standa
Read morePrudential chairman's re-election opposed by 20%
19th May 2011 17:18
More than 20% of shareholder votes went against the re-election of Harvey McGrath as chairman of the insurance giant Prudential at its annual meeting amid lingering resentment over its failed attempt to buy US insurance giant AIG's Asian assets. His re-election was backed by 1,362,173,221 votes and
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 moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners in full retreat
12th May 2011 14:39
The mining sector is out of favour Thursday as worries over global economic growth have caused continuing declines in commodity prices. Fresnillo, Antofagasta, Vedanta Resources, Eurasian Natural Resources Corp and Lonmin are among the worst performers. Meanwhile, the insurers are also on the dec
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Prudential, Northbridge, FirstGroup
12th May 2011 06:54
It's not often a company says it wants to slow down a booming business but that's what Prudential said about its US Jackson Life operation yesterday. Prudential remains a great long-run investment in Asia's economic and demographic strengths but for those with a shorter horizon the US may prove some
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 back below 6,000
11th May 2011 16:51
After a calm start following good gains yesterday, shares took a sharp dive into the red as economic worries resurfaced. Despite a strong first start to the year, terrestrial broadcaster ITV, one of today's strugglers, has warned that it is facing tougher comparatives in the current quarter, meanin
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 pauses after rally
11th May 2011 12:13
Shares are seeking direction following yesterday's big gains, with stocks moving in both directions on the back of updates. Despite a strong first start to the year, terrestrial broadcaster ITV has warned that it is facing tougher comparatives in the current quarter, meaning that the firm could und
Read morePrudential hails strong start to 2011
11th May 2011 09:37
Strong growth in Asia and the US helped the insurance giant Prudential shrug off a more sluggish performance in the UK to continue growing strongly in the first quarter of 2011. Total insurance sales were up by 10% from the same period a year ago to £888m. New business profit climbed by 17% to £498
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Shire and Astra take a hit
28th Apr 2011 15:25
Drug groups Shire and AstraZeneca are lower are reporting their first quarter results. While Shire posted a strong rise in revenues and profits in the period, sentiment seems to have been hit by sector peer Astra which cited US healthcare reform measures and generic competition as the reasons why it
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: BT, Prudential, HSBC
21st Apr 2011 06:06
The Government could suspend the internet accounts of illegal downloaders after a challenge to new laws was overturned in the High Court. Justice Kenneth Parker rejected an appeal by BT and TalkTalk which claimed that the Digital Economy Act 2010 was seriously flawed and 'incompatible' with European
Read moreFTSE100 movers: Miners push index higher
30th Mar 2011 12:59
Mining companies are pushing upwards on hopes for economic recovery leading to higher demand for metals. Vedanta Resources, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have all made gains. British Sky Broadcasting and Prudential have both gone ex-dividend. BSkyB has fallen by a similar amount to its 8.74p interi
Read moreLondon close: Carnival sinks
22nd Mar 2011 16:57
A confident start was derailed by worse than expected inflation figures and a rally in the final hour of trading only brought out profit takers right at the death, leaving Footsie in the red. UK annual inflation rose faster than predicted in February, as surging utility bills drove up living costs.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downward drift continues
22nd Mar 2011 14:09
Footsie lost more ground over the lunch time session as Wall Street opened mixed, failing to carry on the strong advance seen yesterday. GKN is lower on speculation of a bid for French peer Latecoere. The French aerospace firm, which provides doors for Boeing and Airbus, is looking for a buyer, acc
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