Sunday newspaper round-up: BP, Prudential, Goldman Sachs
2nd May 2010 10:43
President Barack Obama will visit the Gulf of Mexico coastline threatened by the giant oil spill, as experts warn that the spill from a ruptured oil rig might be growing five times faster than previously estimated. The oil is gushing from BP's sunker Deepwater Horizon rig at 25,000 barrels a day a
Read moreWednesday press round-up: Election, Virgin Atlantic, Prudential
28th Apr 2010 06:29
Voters are being kept in the dark by all three main political parties, which have failed to disclose the scale of tax rises and public sector cuts required to tackle the financial crisis, Britain's leading economic forecaster has warned. The Institute for Fiscal Studies criticised Labour, the Conse
Read moreLondon close: Footsie slumps on eventful day
27th Apr 2010 16:31
Footsie was deep in the red at trading's close after credit rating downgrades for Greece and Portugal added to already substantial losses, with miners among the stocks posting heavy falls. With oil and metals prices in retreat as fears grow about potential delays in financial aid reaching Greece re
Read moreLondon afternoon: Reckitt fails to cut the mustard
27th Apr 2010 14:35
Footsie drifted lower over the lunch time session, not helped by disappointing results from household goods maker Reckitt Benckiser. Shares in Reckitt sank to the bottom of the FTSE 100 despite the French's mustard maker posting a rise in earnings and sales for the first quarter. The firm said oper
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie slides below 5700
27th Apr 2010 12:04
Footsie has given up all of yesterday's gains and more and has dipped below the 5700 level. Barely a dozen of the blue-chip index's constituents are in the blue, with miners featuring prominently among the laggards. Vedanta, Rio Tinto, Kazakhmys and Xstrata are the worst performers in the mining s
Read moreLondon open: Miners pull Footsie down
27th Apr 2010 08:39
London's top stocks have opened lower on a weak start for the mining sector and despite some encouraging numbers from three index heavyweights. Miners are the problem, with falls across the sector led by Rio Tinto, Kazakhmys and Xstrata. Prudential is a strong performer on a report in the Times tha
Read moreTuesday paper round-up: Prudential, Goldman Sachs, Shell
27th Apr 2010 06:29
The Prudential's biggest shareholder has been moving behind the scenes to orchestrate a potential break-up of the insurer as a radical alternative to its $35.5bn Asian acquisition. Capital Group, which owns 12% of the Pru, is understood to have approached three British-based insurers to sound out t
Read moreLondon close: Higher finish for FTSE 100
23rd Apr 2010 16:38
It was a typically quiet Friday on the company news front, but stocks posted good gains as investors took heart from the apparent stabilisation of the Greek debt situation. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has asked the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to activate their €45b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Good day for most
23rd Apr 2010 15:11
It's good day for blue chips despite the problems in Greece.The number of FTSE 100 constituents in the red is in single figures. Prudential is one of them. It announced today that it would price its $20bn rights issue on 5 May while also seeking a listing in Singapore and Hong Kong to encourage som
Read moreLondon afternoon: Insurers left behind
23rd Apr 2010 14:07
The blue-chip index edged higher over the lunch time session but has not yet recouped all of yesterday's losses, and barring a late flourish looks set to end the week lower than it started it. The number of FTSE 100 constituents in the red is in single figures and comprises a large number of insure
Read moreLondon midday: Greece woes can't halt bulls
23rd Apr 2010 12:29
London's leading shares have barely blinked on the news that Greece has asked for the $45bn EU/IMF aid package to be activated. The news hit the Euro, but has had little impact on a strong morning for UK equities. Oil company BP said it is initiating a rapid response to clear up an oil spill follo
Read moreSector movers: Findel lifts retail despite lower profit expectations
23rd Apr 2010 12:14
At the end of what has been quite a busy week for retail stocks, home shopping group Findel is helping to lift the sector higher, even after lowering its profit expectations. Benchmark profit before tax will be between £16m to £17.5m after the group's educational supplies division expectations were
Read moreLondon open: Minimal gains posted
23rd Apr 2010 08:28
London's leading shares are showing slight gains as a late recovery on Wall Street boosts investor sentiment. Banks are amongst the early movers with RBS, Barclays and Lloyds all higher, while utilities such as Severnt Trent, National Grid and United Utilities are at the bottom end of the market.
Read moreLondon pre-open: Wall St. bounce to lift London
23rd Apr 2010 07:33
A late rally on Wall Street yesterday looks set to be continued in London this morning with traders forecasting the FTSE 100 index will open around 40 points higher. Oil company BP said it is initiating a rapid response to clear up an oil spill following the sinking of the Transocean Deepwater Hori
Read morePrudential to price rights on 5 May
23rd Apr 2010 07:06
Prudential will announce the price of its $20bn rights issue to fund the acquisition of AIG's Asian (AIA) businesses on 5 May. Investors wanting to subscribe for the share issue will have to do so by 14 June with dealings in the new shares starting to trade on 15 June. The shares go ex-rights on 28
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