London close: Stocks sink into the red ahead of FOMC outcome
18th Sep 2013 16:23
After a range-bound morning session, markets sunk into the red on Wednesday afternoon as investors reduced their appetite for risk ahead of the Federal Reserve policy decision later this evening. The FTSE 100 closed 11.35 points lower at 6,558.82, the index's second day in negative territory after
Read moreSector movers: Banks rebound after sharp falls
18th Sep 2013 14:26
Stocks in the banking sector were among the highest risers on Wednesday as share prices rebounded following some heavy falls the day before. UK domestic bank Lloyds was towards the top of the pack on the FTSE 100 after bearing the brunt of the selling action on Tuesday. Shares in the part-nationa
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Lloyds, China house prices, RBS
18th Sep 2013 07:06
Retail investors are likely to be able to join in the next sale of the government's stake in Lloyds, the Chancellor said yesterday. Flush from the success of the government's inaugural sale of some of its shares for 3.2bn pounds, George Osborne said: "I will consider all options for later sales of o
Read moreLondon close: Investors take profits ahead of Fed decision
17th Sep 2013 17:01
Stocks extended losses by the end of trade on Tuesday as investors trimmed positions ahead of the much-anticipated Federal Reserve policy meeting tomorrow. Weighing on markets were heavy falls in the banking sector, with Lloyds sinking after the government placed a 6% stake at a 3.1% discount to ye
Read moreBroker snap: RBS hit by UBS downgrade
17th Sep 2013 15:51
Shares in part-nationalised lender RBS were trading lower on Tuesday after UBS downgraded its rating on the stock from 'buy' to 'neutral'. The bank said it likes the bank's improving fundamentals - "under a new 'business-focused' management team" - but reckons that its valuation is up with events.
Read moreSector movers: Banks fall as government starts Lloyds sell-down
17th Sep 2013 14:36
Banking stocks were among the worst performers in London on Tuesday with Lloyds sinking after the government began to sell-off its stake in the lender five years after its state bailout back in 2008. The UK Financial Investments, the company that manages the government's investments in Lloyds and f
Read moreLondon midday: Markets retreat from six-week high as banks fall
17th Sep 2013 11:23
The upcoming all-important policy decision by the Federal Reserve prompted an element of caution on stock markets across Europe on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 pulling back from a six-week high. Banking stocks were among the notable fallers in London with Lloyds sinking after the government placed a
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
17th Sep 2013 08:56
Aggreko: Credit Suisse reduces target price from 2000p to 1400p and downgrades from neutral to underperform. Antofagasta: WH Ireland downgrades to neutral. Associated British Food: Nomura moves target price from 1650p to 1670p staying with its reduce rating. Aviva: Berenberg downgrades from hold
Read moreTuesday tips round-up: Lloyds, Petrofac, Optimal payments
17th Sep 2013 08:36
The government is a bit late to the party but the first step in the winding down of its stake in Lloyds should be welcome. In particular, it is a positive that it finally opted for a placing among institutional investors, rather than an initial public offering [IPO] or convoluted share giveaway, as
Read moreLondon open: Banks lead markets lower ahead of FOMC meeting
17th Sep 2013 08:14
Following a strong start to the week, investors turned cautious ahead of the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting tomorrow afternoon as markets ready themselves for one of the most closely-watched US policy decisions in recent years, given rising expectations that the Fed w
Read moreUK Financial Investments appoints new head
16th Sep 2013 10:03
UK Financial Investments (UKFI) has appointed James Leigh-Pemberton, the son of former Bank of England governor Robin Leigh-Pemberton, as its new head. Leigh-Pemberton is replacing Jim O'Neil who is stepping down to join Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He will be the fourth person to head UKFI, th
Read moreLondon close: Stocks jump to four-week high as Syria concerns ease
10th Sep 2013 16:40
The FTSE 100 jumped to a four-week high on Tuesday as investors' fears of an impending US military strike on Syria eased and the economic outlook for China improved. London's benchmark index finished 53.25 points higher at 6,583.99, a gain of 0.82%; the last time it closed higher was on August 14th
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: easyJet leaps on CEO interview
10th Sep 2013 14:39
easyJet shares are firmly on the rise, extending yesterday's gain of around one per cent. The company has said it's geared up to take on other low-cost airlines across Europe, saying it expects other airlines will have difficulty in embracing a no-frills style. It said the loss of as many as 86m sho
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 nears one-month high
10th Sep 2013 11:39
Receding fears about a potential US military strike on Syria and decent data from China lifted UK stocks on Thursday morning, with the FTSE 100 rising to levels not seen in nearly a month. London's benchmark index was up 0.8% at 6,581.91 by midday; the last time it closed higher was on August 14th
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 at three-week high after policy meetings
5th Sep 2013 17:03
A host of central-bank policy meetings, a dovish tone from Mario Draghi and the continued improvement in US economic data helped lift stocks higher on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 closing at levels not seen in three weeks. London's benchmark index ended the day up 57.7 points at 6,532.44, its highes
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