London open: Footsie drops below 5,000
3rd Oct 2011 08:29
The Footsie plummeted in early trading on Monday, dropping below the 5,000 level, as euro worries continue to dampen sentiment. Despite Greece's tough austerity measures, the debt-stricken country revealed on Sunday that it will miss its deficit target for 2011, as it unveiled plans for job cuts ac
Read moreThe SEC probes RBS and Credit Suisse over mortgage loans
29th Sep 2011 11:55
The US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has opened an investigation on Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Credit Suisse, and other banks over their handling of faulty mortgage loans, as reported by Financial Times, which cited sources close to the matter. The US regulator is studying whether these
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks advance on Euro hopes
27th Sep 2011 12:00
Stocks have built on their early morning gains as optimism that some kind of end to the Eurozone crisis is in sight continues. Talks are still ongoing about an expansion of the European Financial Stability Fund, with conflicting signals over whether an agreement is near failing to put investors of
Read moreLondon open: London follows Wall Street higher
27th Sep 2011 08:24
London's leading share index is posting big gains following a strong performance from Wall Street overnight. RBS leads the way as banks continue their strong performance from yesterday, while silver specialist Fresnillo leads the mining sector's recovery. Optimism that European leaders are making
Read moreLondon close: Financials soar on Eurozone bailout hopes
26th Sep 2011 17:15
In a battle between booming banks and melting miners, the banks emerged on top, as Footsie reversed early losses to finish in the blue. Hopes that Eurozone governments will get their act together and seriously bumnp up the Eurozone bailout fund, while pushing through more severe "haircuts" - reduc
Read moreFTSE 100: BAE falls on job loss rumours
26th Sep 2011 13:53
The UK's main defence contractor, BAE Systems, was heading south after it news that it appears set to shed 3,000 jobs as it sees a slump in orders for its Typhoon aircraft. Reports from Sky News and the Telegraph indicate the plants most likely to be affected are in Warton, Lancashire, and Brough i
Read moreLondon midday: Banks power FTSE 100 rebound
26th Sep 2011 12:10
Stocks have rebounded strongly from their weak start, with a buoyant performance from the banking sector helping to offset continued weakness in mining stocks. Precious metals stocks in particular are in the firing line as prices for gold and silver continue their downward turn, bucking the usual r
Read moreBroker snap: Buy Ashmore after falls, says RBS
26th Sep 2011 10:42
RBS has upgraded its rating on Ashmore to "buy" from "hold" following heavy falls in the fund manager's share price lately. "We see the recent share price pullback as an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to this high quality business," RBS says. It points to Ashmore's "strong funds flow outlo
Read moreLondon open: RBS, Barclays and Lloyds shrug off decline
26th Sep 2011 08:31
The top share index has recovered partially after tumbling below the 5,000 point mark on continuing worries over the Eurozone situation. Plans by European policymakers to up the amount of funds set aside to deal with the ongoing problems in Greece have failed to reassure markets. Miners lead the
Read moreLondon close: Buoyant RBS, Barclays and Lloyds boost FTSE 100
23rd Sep 2011 16:38
Stocks rediscovered their earlier strength, but only after tumbling below the 5,000 point mark on another volatile day for the leading share index. Banks were prominent among the risers, with Barclays, Lloyds and RBS posting decent gains, after talk of a 50 basis point cut in European Central Bank
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 below 5,000 points
23rd Sep 2011 12:04
This morning's rally is a distant memory now with stocks tumbling below the 5,000 point mark as nerves set in again. Miners are prominent in the firing line as metals prices slide, with Xstrata and Kazakhmys sharply lower. Gold miner Centamin Egypt is also suffering big losses. Copper fell by 7%.
Read moreLondon open: Lloyds, RBS and Barclays lead rally
23rd Sep 2011 08:14
Shares have staged an impressive rally after yesterday's slide, with banking trip Lloyds, RBS and Barclays setting the pace in the FTSE 100. They are joined higher by private equity investor 3i, which warned that falling stock markets will lead to an inevitable fall in the value of its portfolio at
Read moreLondon close: Triple-digit losses as Euro worries continue
19th Sep 2011 16:50
Shares failed to recover from an early slide as ongoing worries over the Eurozone situation continued to cast a shadow. The FTSE 100 closed down 108 points. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has cancelled a planned trip to the US to guide Greece through what could be a critical seven day peri
Read moreLondon midday: Eurozone worries cast a shadow
19th Sep 2011 12:03
London's blue chip index is stuck below 5,300 points as the Eurozone saga rumbles on. Investors seeking a resolution to the problems were disheartened after a meeting of EU finance ministers in Poland on Friday failed to live up to expectations. "There is a firm 'risk-off' tone to the start of the
Read moreLondon open: Banks unwanted as euro worries continue
19th Sep 2011 08:43
London's blue chip index sank below the 5,300 level in the opening minutes on Monday, as the debt crisis in Europe took centre stage again, dampening sentiment. Investors seeking a resolution to the problems were disheartened after a meeting of EU finance ministers in Poland on Friday failed to li
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