London midday: Shares hold on to early gains
13th Aug 2009 12:17
The Footsie has been trading sideways since around 10:00am after a bright start that was inspired by yesterday's statement from the Federal Reserve that the US economy may have seen the worse of the recession. The news has spurred demand for commodities stocks on expectations that a recovery in the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Pru soars on dividend rise
13th Aug 2009 10:46
Insurer Prudential leads the FTSE 100 after profit before tax from continuing operations increased 6% to £688m, driven by strong underlying operating performance in Asia. But it was the dividend hike that really caught the eye. After big dividend cuts from rivals Legal & General and Aviva, the Pru
Read moreTechnical Analysis Snap: Pru jumps after dividend hike
13th Aug 2009 09:01
Prudential appears to be one of the exceptions to the rule as in contrast to its peers it upped its dividend on Thursday after announcing a "strong performance" for the first part of 2009. IFRS operating profit before tax increased 6% to £688m, though the group operating profit on longer term inve
Read moreLondon open: Miners help early rise
13th Aug 2009 08:17
London's top stocks have made a positive start to the day after upbeat economic data from the Continent and a strong performance on Wall Street last night. Figures out this morning showed that Germany and France staged an unexpected return to economic growth in the second quarter of the year, rais
Read moreLondon pre-open: Bright start predicted
13th Aug 2009 07:40
Footsie is expected to open higher after a strong performance from Wall Street last night. Insurer Prudential said its half-year results show continued "strong performance" in what still remains challenging market conditions. IFRS operating profit before tax from continuing operations increased 6%
Read morePrudential ups divi after 'strong' performance
13th Aug 2009 07:03
Insurer Prudential said its half-year results show continued "strong performance" in what still remains challenging market conditions. The group raised half year dividends by 5% to 6.29p per share in contrast to peers Aviva and Legal & General, which slashed dividends. IFRS operating profit before
Read moreLondon close: Stocks near session high
12th Aug 2009 16:14
Footsie closed near a session high on Wednesday as London's top stocks continued to add to gains in afternoon trade, with banks among the best performers. Lloyds Banking finished up more than 6%, closely followed by fellow part-nationalised lender Royal Bank of Scotland . The FSA unveiled a new co
Read moreThursday preview: Prudential, Tomkins
12th Aug 2009 15:58
It is the turn of Prudential to give some firmer idea of the insurance sector's short-term prospects when it reports half-year figures on Thursday. The Pru's capital position may attract more attention than normal this time especially losses on its credit portfolios. Brokers expect an interim divid
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Lloyds Banking, JJB, Friends Provident
9th Aug 2009 09:44
Lloyds Banking is weighing up plans for a multi-billion pound share issue to cut its dependency on the taxpayer. The bank is considering a partial withdrawal from the government's asset protection scheme. Eric Daniels, the chief executive of Lloyds, is said to believe the fees attached to the schem
Read moreWeek ahead: Prudential, Friends Provident, Intercontinental Hotels
7th Aug 2009 12:51
Life insurance groups take centre stage next week on an otherwise quiet week as the holiday season really kicks in. The sector has already had mixed messages about prospects, with both Legal & General and Aviva cutting their dividends, but it is the turn of Prudential and Friends Provident to give
Read moreSector movers: L&G casts cloud over insurers
4th Aug 2009 12:54
Life Insurance is worst of the bunch after Legal & General reported after a 92% plunge in operating profit and a 45% cut in the dividend. European embedded value (EEV) operating profit rose 12% to £657m for the six months to 30 June, up from £589m a year ago, but it slumped to £31m from £391m on a
Read moreLondon close: Footsie finishes ahead
20th Jul 2009 16:41
London's top stocks remained in the same range and closed with good gains as financials and miners had a strong day. Wall Street starting higher also helped. Sentiment was lifted in the US after reports that lender CIT Group has obtained a last-minute emergency financing rescue deal worth $3bn. Ll
Read moreLondon afternoon: Strong US opening keeps Footsie ahead
20th Jul 2009 15:47
A strong start on Wall Street has kept Footsie in the blue though it has lost some of its early momentum. Lloyds Banking is the best performer on a weekend report it could post an interim profit despite enormous bad-debt provisions. Some of its most toxic sub-prime investments have clawed back bill
Read moreSector movers: Insurers impress
20th Jul 2009 15:09
Another strong day for equities got investors excited about Life Insurance. Global stock markets are rising for a sixth day, boosting the value of investments. Prudential and Legal & General are the best performers, but Friends Provident is also going well as the Resolution takeover situation rumbl
Read moreLondon midday: Banks lead Footsie higher
20th Jul 2009 12:21
Blue chips have continued their recent surge with banks among the top risers as sentiment in the sector is boosted by last week's earnings reports from US rivals. Lloyds Banking is the best performer on a weekend report it could post an interim profit despite enormous bad-debt provisions. Some of i
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