FTSE 100 movers: Standard Life leads financials higher
4th Oct 2013 15:24
Financials were performing relatively well today with insurers Standard Life, Prudential, Resolution and RSA moving higher, along with banking groups HSBC and RBS. Standard Life was boosted by JP Morgan, which reiterated its 'overweight' rating on the stock, and commented that growth continued to
Read moreLondon midday: UK markets lack direction as US budget impasse persists
4th Oct 2013 11:31
After a slow start, the FTSE 100 had erased losses by midday on Friday but markets remain subdued as stocks struggle for direction in the absence of economic news and ongoing political uncertainty in the States. Since the partial shutdown of the US government has extended into its fourth day, gove
Read moreLondon close: Late rally not enough as FTSE 100 falls for fourth straight day
2nd Oct 2013 16:43
A slight bounce in the UK-listed mining sector saw the FTSE 100 rally on Wednesday afternoon but the index still finished firmly in the red, setting a fresh one-month low as political uncertainty in the US and Italy continued to weigh on sentiment. The FTSE 100 finished down 22.51 points at 6,437.5
Read moreLondon midday: ECB, political uncertainty in focus as stocks fall
2nd Oct 2013 11:27
The FTSE 100 suffered steep losses on Wednesday morning as buyers showed caution ahead of a policy decision in Europe, whilst political uncertainty in the US and Italy continues to erode risk appetite. The all-important European Central Bank (ECB) policy decision is due at 12:45 this afternoon, tho
Read moreLondon close: Stocks finish flat as markets digest US shutdown, data
1st Oct 2013 16:25
Stocks in the UK finished broadly flat on Tuesday as investors gave a subdued reaction to the news of the first partial US government shutdown in 17 years. Indices across Europe and the States however edged higher today, with London's FTSE 100 bucking the trend given some sharp falls in the heavywe
Read moreLondon midday: Miners drag FTSE 100 to one-month low
30th Sep 2013 11:42
Concerns over a potential government shutdown in the US, political chaos in Italy and disappointing economic figures from China sparked steep falls on equity markets across Europe on Monday morning, with the FTSE 100 slipping to levels not seen in a month. The FTSE 100 was trading around 0.85% lowe
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
30th Sep 2013 08:23
African Minerals: Canaccord Genuity raises target price from 330p to 370p and keeps a buy recommendation. Avon Rubber: WH Ireland ups target price from 530p to 590p keeping a buy recommendation. WH Ireland takes target price from 530p to 590p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Barratt Developmen
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Italy, China manufacturing, Help to Buy
30th Sep 2013 07:25
Enrico Letta, Italy's centre-left Prime Minister, is seeking urgently parliamentary support for a new government after centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi pulled his ministers out of their five-month-old coalition, risking a financial market backlash. Mr Letta held crisis talks on Sunday night wit
Read moreChurch of England consortium wins battle for RBS branches
27th Sep 2013 14:59
A consortium of investors, including the Church of England's investment fund has won a 600m pound auction to take a stake in a package of 300-plus Royal Bank of Scotland branches. The branches, which RBS must offload as a condition of receiving state aid, along with their 1.7m customers are to be
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Energy stocks hit by Labour pledge
26th Sep 2013 15:04
British Gas owner Centrica and utility group SSE were today extending losses after yesterday's proposal by Labour leader Ed Miliband to freeze energy bills if the party is voted back into power in 2015. The stock has now slipped below its 200-day moving average following three days of intense sellin
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall as focus remains on US data
26th Sep 2013 11:49
Markets were trading in negative territory on Thursday morning as investors gave a subdued reaction to in-line growth figures from the UK and awaited more economic data from the US. The second and final revision of UK gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the second quarter held steady at 0.7%. M
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 falls to two-week low
25th Sep 2013 16:41
Heavy falls from Carnival, Tesco and utility stocks weighed on the FTSE 100 on Wednesday while uncertainty over the US budget and Federal Reserve monetary policy continued to dampen sentiment. London's benchmark index finished 19.93 points lower at 6,551.53, a fall of 0.3% on the day. This was the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Carnival continues to fall on poor Q3 results
25th Sep 2013 15:23
Cruise operator Carnival was a heavy faller for the second day in a row after the company disappointed with its third-quarter results and guidance for the full year. Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating on the stock this morning from 'equalweight' to 'underweight' and cut its full-year earnings pe
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks lower on Fed uncertainty
25th Sep 2013 11:26
Markets were choppy on Wednesday but trading firmly in the red by midday as investors awaited economic data from the US amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve monetary policy. Recent mixed economic data and conflicting comments by Fed officials over recent days continue to muddy t
Read moreLondon close: Stocks up but gains limited on Fed uncertainty, mixed data
24th Sep 2013 16:31
Markets closed slightly higher on Tuesday afternoon after a choppy day though upside was limited as investors focused on mixed data and the uncertain future for Federal Reserve monetary policy. Last week's surprise decision by the Fed to maintain its stimulus programme is still fresh in investors'
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