London open: Stocks edge higher as focus turns towards US data
21st Oct 2013 08:42
UK equites opened slightly higher on Monday morning, following a recent strong run and as traders awaited key economic data from the US later this week. London's FTSE 100 opened just a few points higher than Friday's close of 6,622.59, though this was still the highest finish for the benchmark ind
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 hits one-month high
18th Oct 2013 17:02
UK stocks hit a one-month high on Friday on hopes of a near-term continuation of US stimulus, while data from China showed a pick-up in growth. The FTSE 100 broke through the 6,600 level today to finish at 6,622.58, up 46.42 points on the day. The last time the index closed higher was on September
Read moreSector movers: RBS, Barclays lead banks lower
18th Oct 2013 14:01
Banking stocks were mostly under the weather on Friday with domestic lenders Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays leading to the downside. RBS was being weighed down by some gloomy comments from Investec analyst Ian Gordon, who recommended investors not to own the stock ahead of the bank's third-qua
Read moreBroker tips: RBS, Utilities, Computacenter
18th Oct 2013 12:06
Investec has maintained its 'sell' rating for UK lender Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), recommending investors not to own the stock ahead of its third-quarter results on November 1st. Analyst Ian Gordon said that the bank will likely fall back into the red in the second half, though most of the damag
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks rise on hopes over taper delays
18th Oct 2013 11:23
The FTSE 100 came close to a one-month high on Friday morning on hopes that the political uncertainty in Washington may prompt the Federal Reserve to continue with its stimulus measures for a little longer. Also helping sentiment this morning was Chinese gross domestic product which grew at a year-
Read moreBroker snap: Don't own RBS ahead of Q3 results, says Investec
18th Oct 2013 11:20
Investec has maintained its 'sell' rating for UK lender Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), recommending investors not to own the stock ahead of its third-quarter results on November 1st. Analyst Ian Gordon said that the bank will likely fall back into the red in the second half, though most of the damag
Read moreBroker snap: UK banks could need extra capital, says BNP
17th Oct 2013 12:47
UK banks were trading in the red on Thursday after Exane BNP Paribas speculated that lenders may need to raise more capital to meet regulatory requirements. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), due to make its final statement in December, could introduce additional capital buffers on top of c
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: RBS, Chinese banks, Marks&Spencer
17th Oct 2013 06:44
The Treasury has asked advisory firms for "creative ideas" over Royal Bank of Scotland that could enable the Chancellor to start selling shares in the bank next year. The thinking is that radical action, such as selling Citizens, the bank's American business, would make it easier to sell the taxpaye
Read moreLondon close: Markets rise despite debt-ceiling uncertainty
14th Oct 2013 16:49
Markets finished at their highest levels in two and a half weeks on Monday despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the US debt ceiling, as a deal to raise the borrowing limit still remains elusive. The FTSE 100 finished 20.46 points higher at 6,507.65, its best level since September 27th when i
Read moreSector movers: RBS leads banks lower after BofA downgrade
14th Oct 2013 16:00
UK-listed banks were out of favour on Monday as macro concerns weighed on investor appetite for risk; Royal Bank of Scotland was a heavy faller after being hit with a downgrade by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The US broker lowered its rating for RBS from 'neutral' to 'underperform', cutting its p
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Johnson Matthey tops leaders after upgrade
14th Oct 2013 14:37
The share price of chemicals group Johnson Matthey jumped on Monday after the stock was upgraded by JPMorgan Cazenove from 'neutral' to 'overweight'. The US bank hiked its target price for the shares from 2,800p to 4,000p, saying that it sees "major potential from a swathe of new global industrial c
Read moreLondon midday: Markets pause on US stalemate, mixed Chinese data
14th Oct 2013 11:28
Markets paused at a two-week high on Monday as investors refrained from building as concerns over the US debt ceiling and mixed data from China weighed on risk appetite. London's benchmark FTSE 100 was trading with small gains by midday after finishing Friday's session at 6,483.79, its highest clos
Read moreHelp to Buy boosts mortgage applications at RBS
14th Oct 2013 09:47
Royal Bank of Scotland has experienced high demand for mortgages after the government launched the second phase of its Help to Buy scheme last week. The lender booked up 5,000 mortgage appointments with customers within just three hours of the scheme going live and received 10,000 calls in the firs
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
14th Oct 2013 08:46
Admiral Group: JP Morgan cuts target price from 1122p to 1022p maintaining an underweight rating. Balfour Beatty: Numis increases target price from 285p to 315p and stays with its add rating. Bankers Petroleum: Goldman Sachs takes target price from 365p to 379p and reiterates a buy recommendation.
Read moreLondon open: Stocks flat as US political deadlock continues
14th Oct 2013 08:38
A political stalemate in Washington over the debt ceiling weighed on risk appetite on Monday morning, with the FTSE 100 holding steady in early trading after hitting two-week highs the previous session. London's benchmark index finished at 6,483.79 on Friday, its highest close since September 27th,
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