London afternoon: Leading shares mixed
6th Jan 2010 13:50
The list of Footsie constituents is now almost evenly split between risers and fallers but the blue-chip index remains in negative territory, weighed down by Marks & Spencer, which remains out of favour after a disappointing trading update. It was not the numbers from Marks & Spencer that upset th
Read moreLondon midday: No sparks from Marks
6th Jan 2010 11:52
Leading shares were attempting their second rally of the morning as the lunchtime session started, but almost two-thirds of FTSE 100 constituents remain in the red. Chief among them is M&S. The cold weather may have seen woolly jumpers and slippers fly off the shelves at Marks & Spencer in the days
Read moreLondon open: Dull start as big freeze bites
6th Jan 2010 08:49
It's all about the retailers in the pre-opening session as the post-Christmas trading update season moves into full swing with Marks & Spencer heading lower after its update. The cold weather may have seen woolly jumpers and slippers fly off the shelves at Marks & Spencer in the days before Christm
Read moreLondon close: Strong run continues
5th Jan 2010 16:40
Strength in the financial sector helped Footsie continue its strong start to 2009, closing near its highest levels in more than a year. RBS added to yesterday's stellar gains and is joined higher by fellow banks Barclays and Lloyds. The latter pair have been selected by Deutsche Bank as the best t
Read moreLondon afternoon: Cadbury melts as Nestle withdraws
5th Jan 2010 14:26
The Footsie moved sideways over the lunch time session, with strength in financials and miners continuing to offset weakness among retailers. RBS adds to yesterday's stellar gains and is joined higher by fellow banks Barclays and Lloyds. The latter pair have been selected by Deutsche Bank as the b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: RBS still climbing
5th Jan 2010 13:11
RBS adds to the strong gains it posted yesterday, and is the best performer in the FTSE 100. Barclays is another riser, boosted by comments from Deutsche Bank, which says the bank offers both growth and recovery potential. Also among today's big gainers is the hedge fund manager Man Group, which
Read moreSector movers: Next caution holds back retailers
5th Jan 2010 12:37
Retailers are on the back foot after Next kicked off the stream of Christmas trading updates by increasing full-year profit forecasts but saying it was cautious on prospects for 2010. Next's fellow clothing retailer Marks & Spencer, which is due to update tomorrow, is another faller. Other notable
Read moreLondon midday: Banks buoy Footsie
5th Jan 2010 12:18
Strength in financial stocks is helping Footsie offset declines in the retail sector. RBS adds to yesterday's stellar gains and is joined higher by fellow banks Barclays and Lloyds. Also among today's big gainers is the hedge fund manager Man Group, which has benefited from some upbeat coverage fr
Read moreLondon open: Retailers lead Footsie lower
5th Jan 2010 08:15
London's top stocks have opened lower as retailers fall back at the beginning of the Christmas sales reporting season. High street retailer Next is lower even though it increased full-year profit forecasts again in response to better than expected sales in the run up to Christmas. Sales for the 2
Read moreLondon close: RBS leads the charge
4th Jan 2010 17:12
A strong start to the year on Wall Street gave London a boost, prompting the blue-chip index to finish at its highest point for the day. Part-nationalised lender Royal Bank of Scotland's led the advance after Exane BNP Paribas suggested that 'fundamental (rather than purely speculative) investor in
Read moreLondon afternoon: Buoyant Wall St. lifts London
4th Jan 2010 14:38
Shares added to the morning's gains over the lunchtime session, as investors correctly predicted a firm opening on Wall Street. The sale of Royal Bank of Scotland's Pakistan unit has fallen through after the deal failed to get the necessary regulatory approvals and complete before the 31 December d
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Resource stocks on top
4th Jan 2010 12:11
Resource stocks are lifting Footsie higher with Cairn Energy on top of the pile after saying it has secured a second drilling rig to assist its exploration programme in the Disko West area offshore Greenland in the second half of 2010. Royal Bank of Scotland is not far behind, despite confirming th
Read moreLondon midday: Broker tip lifts RBS
4th Jan 2010 12:10
Leading shares moved into consolidation mode late in the morning session, with resource stocks the best performers. Cairn Energy remains the top gainer on news that the oil explorer has secured a second drilling rig to assist its exploration programme in the Disko West area offshore Greenland in th
Read moreLondon open: Positive start to new decade
4th Jan 2010 08:11
Footsie has started the new decade on a positive note, with Cairn Energy and Royal Bank of Scotland leading the way. Cairn Energy is this morning's best performer on news that the oil explorer has secured a second drilling rig to assist its exploration programme in the Disko West area offshore Gree
Read moreLondon pre-open: Footsie seen starting weaker
4th Jan 2010 07:35
Footsie is expected to start the new decade on a slightly weaker note, with company news thin on the ground. The sale of Royal Bank of Scotland's Pakistan unit has fallen through after the deal failed to get the necessary regulatory approvals and complete before the 31 December deadline. Government
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