London close: Triple digit gains for FTSE 100
1st Dec 2010 16:56
Footsie was posting triple-digit gains at trading's close as markets across the globe roared in approval at talk that the European Central Bank may take more measures to deal with the debt crisis. Shares here got an extra boost from news that activity in the manufacturing sector hit levels not seen
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie jumps 120 points
1st Dec 2010 14:17
After a strong morning session leading shares kicked on some more over the lunch time period, as worries over the eurozone debt situation subside. Talk that the European Central Bank may take more measures to deal with the debt crisis has buoyed European markets, with banks bouncing back more than
Read moreSector movers: Insurance gets Pru boost
1st Dec 2010 13:55
The life insurance sector is one of today's strong performers, helped by a bullish update from Prudential. Pru chief Tidjane Thiam has made Asia the cornerstone of a plan to drive the life insurance group's profits strongly forward over the next two years. Thiam, who failed to conclude a deal to b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Cost cutting helps Sage
1st Dec 2010 13:20
Accountancy software provider Sage is the best performer in the Footsie following its full year figures. Sage reported a 14% increase in underlying pre-tax profit thanks to cost-cutting. Profit before tax, adjusted for foreign exchange movements, rose to £355.7m in the year to September 2010, from
Read moreLondon midday: Shares keep climbing
1st Dec 2010 12:04
The leading share index looks to be heading towards triple-digit gains now as worries over the eurozone debt situation subside. Strong economic data and well-received company news here is also helping. Talk that the European Central Bank may take more measures to deal with the debt crisis has buoye
Read moreLondon open: Bright start for blue chips
1st Dec 2010 08:31
London has shrugged off yesterday's dull showing on Wall Street and is posting decent gains in the first hour. Prudential is leading the way after chief executive Tidjane Thiam made Asia the cornerstone of a plan to drive the life insurance group's profits strongly forward over the next two years.
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks set to open higher
1st Dec 2010 07:35
Undeterred by a soft showing on Wall Street last night UK stocks are set to open higher, with the Footsie expected to open up some 37 points firmer. Sage, the blue chip accountancy software firm, has posted a 14% increase in full-year underlying pre-tax profit thanks to the cost-cutting drive, most
Read morePrudential chief still focused on Asia
1st Dec 2010 07:18
Prudential chief executive Tidjane Thiam has made Asia the cornerstone of a plan to drive the life insurance group's profits strongly forward over the next two years. Thiam, who failed to conclude a deal to buy the Asian business of US firm AIG earlier in the year, has projected the Pru's Asian arm
Read morePrudential share price slips back, despite positive earnings
11th Nov 2010 10:27
In figures released this morning Prudential's Q3 sales rose to £809m to take the total year to date figure to £2.4bn. Sales in Asia continued to rise over the last quarter, up 25% while UK and US sales also performed well despite being a slight drag earlier in the year. The company continues to
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Prudential, Great Portland, Schroders...
11th Nov 2010 06:39
Prudential reported positive numbers yesterday, but the Independent is still put off by the ill-conceived £22bn bid for AIA that failed earlier this year and cost the insurer £350m. It is really a question about management, one that Prudential has yet to provide a satisfactory answer to, the paper
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Ireland, BAE, mobile phones...
11th Nov 2010 06:03
The International Monetary Fund was forced last night to deny that Ireland had requested financial assistance after another run on Irish government bonds. In a rare denial, the IMF said that relations with Ireland were "normal" and described Dublin's plans to cut spending and raise taxes by €15 bi
Read moreLondon close: Shares fall back amid global worries
10th Nov 2010 16:34
Footsie was posting substantial losses by trading's close as losses in the mining sector cancelled out any optimism engendered by company updates. As usual, it was global economic concerns that weighed on the mining sector. US stocks are under pressure amid worries over China's efforts to curb infl
Read moreLondon afternoon: BAE takes off
10th Nov 2010 15:10
Mining stocks are dragging London lower as copper and precious metal prices come off the boil. Kazakhmys, Lonmin and ENRC are the worst performers while precious metals miners Randgold and Fresnillo fare little better. BAE Systems is the best performing blue-chip after holding an investor day ye
Read moreBroker tips: Barclays, Prudential, Schroders
10th Nov 2010 13:08
Nomura expects downgrades to Barclays' consensus numbers after the banking giant's trading update on Tuesday. "We view consensus for fiscal year 2010 and 2011 as too optimistic", says analyst Robert Law. "We estimate £5.35bn for 2010, against a consensus of £5.8bn and have £6.8bn for 2011, against
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie slips back as miners give up gains
10th Nov 2010 12:03
Company updates have been given a mixed reception, but a retreat in the mining sector has Footsie in the red. Miners are weak after as profit takers cover some of their gains after the new highs for gold and silver yesterday. Gold miner Randgold and platinum group Lonmin are the worst performers.
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