London midday: Japan earthquake casts shadow
11th Mar 2011 12:21
The earthquake in Japan is casting a shadow over trading today and the FTSE 100 sits just a few points above 5,800 now. The insurance sector has been hit by worries over the possible effects of the Japan earthquake. Aviva, Legal & General and Prudential are suffering losses. The damage caused by th
Read moreJapan quake kills hundreds
11th Mar 2011 08:20
Markets around the world were hit by this morning's massive earthquake in Japan, with insurers hit hard as investors attempt to assess the cost of damage wrecked by the tremor and resulting tsunami. The UK non-life insurance sector fell back with Amlin , Catlin and Chaucer finishing lower. Life ins
Read moreBroker tips: Prudential, BHP, Serco
10th Mar 2011 14:24
Nomura seems concerned that, despite consensus-beating results, only a quarter of Prudential's earnings come from Asia, and has maintained its 'reduce' recommendation on the insurer. "Prudential's results beat consensus in most respects but most of the company's growth came from the US and not Asia
Read moreBroker snap: US appears vulnerable at the Pru
10th Mar 2011 10:01
Nomura seems concerned that, despite consensus-beating results, only a quarter of Prudential's earnings come from Asia, and has maintained its 'reduce' recommendation on the insurer. "Prudential's results beat consensus in most respects but most of the company's growth came from the US and not Asia
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Prudential, Tullow, Restaurant Group
10th Mar 2011 06:26
When Tidjane Thiam faced shareholders at Prudential's annual meeting last June, few would have wagered on him still being the company's chief executive nine months later, as resentment over the company's failed $35.5bn (£21.8bn) deal for AIA intensified. Mr Thiam seemed focused on the future yesterd
Read moreLondon close: Shares fall back as oil rallies
9th Mar 2011 16:53
A drop in the oil price failed to gain ground as the Libya violence continued, sending shares firmly into the red. Attacks against rebel-held towns in western Libya continued, helping oil prices to win back some recent losses. Traders are worried that violence could erupt in other oil-producing Ar
Read moreSector movers: Prudential boosts life insurers
9th Mar 2011 15:36
Prudential is providing a lift in the life insurance sector. The blue chip insurer announced today that it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the company's biggest earner. Group operating profit before tax on a European Embedded Value (EEV) basis jump
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Ex-dividend declines fuel index fall
9th Mar 2011 15:26
Shares going ex-dividend dominate the fallers in the Footsie today. British American Tobacco is the biggest faller but the share price has declined by slightly less than the 81p a share final dividend. Standard Chartered has fallen by more than its 29.8p a share dividend. Miner BHP Billiton has
Read moreLondon afternoon: Downward drift continues
9th Mar 2011 14:16
Blue-chip shares drifted lower still over the lunchtime session though a number of bright spots can be found, particularly among second liners. Insurer Prudential is in demand after saying it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's bigges
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 seeking direction
9th Mar 2011 12:02
Shares are moving in both directions after updates, but the FTSE 100 sits a few points lower. Insurer Prudential is in demand after saying it made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group operating profit before tax on a Eu
Read moreLondon open: Early falls despite Pru show of strength
9th Mar 2011 08:43
London has slipped lower in early dealings, despite good numbers from Prudential and a strong performance on Wall Street overnight as oil prices fell back. Insurer Prudential made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group o
Read morePrudential profits up a fifth
9th Mar 2011 08:16
Insurer Prudential made 20% more in 2010 than it did the year before as Asia raced ahead of the US as the UK company's biggest earner. Group operating profit before tax on a European Embedded Value (EEV) basis jumped to £3.70bn in 2010 from £3.09bn the year before. The Pru, which failed to buy the
Read moreWednesday preview: Prudential, Lookers
8th Mar 2011 16:50
After well received results from Aviva this week it will be the turn of fellow insurerPrudential to make a splash on Wednesday. Results from the Pru could make the market wonder at the wisdom of blocking management's "bet the farm" purchase of the Asian business of fallen US insurance giant AIG, as
Read moreWeek Ahead: BoE rate, Pru, Intertek
4th Mar 2011 12:22
After European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet dropped heavy hints this week that the ECB is seriously contemplating a rise in interest rates for the eurozone, attention switches to the next week's meeting of the rate-setting committee, where the hawks slowly seem to be gaining a fo
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: FSA, Mervyn King, oil price
17th Feb 2011 06:29
Sweeping new powers to ban financial products and publish details of pending investigations of institutions suspected of misconduct will be handed to the three bodies replacing the Financial Services Authority, the Treasury will announce today. In a series of reforms that could prove controversial i
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