Lloyds sale could be delayed by Syria tensions
5th Sep 2013 15:13
The Government's planned sale of its stake in Lloyds Banking Group could be delayed until later in the autumn of 2013 because of turbulent equity markets. The UK Treasury and its UK Financial Investments asset management arm are monitoring market reaction to the Syrian crisis. A sale of part of t
Read moreSector movers: Banking stocks lead risers in London
5th Sep 2013 14:05
Banking stocks were the highest risers on Thursday as markets reacted positively to a number of central-bank policy decisions across the globe. The Bank of England, European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of Japan all decided to keep monetary policy on hold over the last 24 hours. A close eye was kept
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks trim gains, BoE holds rates
5th Sep 2013 11:27
After a strong start for UK stocks, the FTSE 100 pared gains by lunchtime as nervousness set in ahead of a number of risk events that have the potential to spark some volatile moves on financial markets. Risk appetite was also scaled back ahead of the G20 meeting which begins in St Petersburg today
Read moreLondon open: Stocks surge ahead of BoE, ECB meetings
5th Sep 2013 08:13
The FTSE 100 jumped strongly in early trading on Thursday as investor risk appetite increased ahead of policy decisions from the Bank of England (BoE) and the European Central Bank (ECB) later on. The Bank of Japan meeting overnight was "a bit of a non-event", according to Market Analyst Craig Erla
Read moreTuesday broker round-up
3rd Sep 2013 11:13
ASOS: Exane increases target price from 5000p to 6000p and keeps an outperform rating. Associated British Foods: Exane upgrades to outperform with a target price of 2400p. Balfour Beatty: Berenberg ups target price from 270p to 300p and retains its buy recommendation. Barclays: Berenberg takes ta
Read moreBroker tips: RBS, Fresnillo, BT, National Grid
2nd Sep 2013 11:17
Citigroup has maintained its 'sell' rating for UK lender Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and has slashed its profit forecasts for the company citing weak earnings momentum. The broker said that RBS remains its least-preferred UK bank "based on the shareholder structure, ongoing political and regulator
Read moreBroker snap: Citi sees poor earnings momentum at RBS
2nd Sep 2013 09:08
Citigroup has maintained its 'sell' rating for UK lender Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and has slashed its profit forecasts for the company citing weak earnings momentum. The broker said that RBS remains its least-preferred UK bank "based on the shareholder structure, ongoing political and regulator
Read moreLondon close: Markets finish lower despite late rally
28th Aug 2013 17:05
Markets rallied in afternoon trade on Wednesday, helped by dovish remarks from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney and a decent start on Wall Street, but stocks still finished in the red as escalating concerns about Syria continued to dampen sentiment. The FTSE 100 finished down 10.91 points
Read moreWednesday newspaper round-up: Syria, Nationwide, HSBC
28th Aug 2013 07:09
Britain cannot stand idly by in the face of the morally indefensible use of chemical weapons, David Cameron said yesterday, as he laid out the case for a missile strike against Syria. The White House is preparing intelligence material, including intercepted communications, which it says will prove t
Read moreLondon close: Syrian crisis hits stocks despite upbeat economic data
27th Aug 2013 16:30
Data showing improving confidence in Germany and the States wasn't enough to lift markets on Tuesday as investor sentiment was rattled by escalating tensions between Syria and the West. Business confidence in Germany improved across the board in August as the Eurozone's largest economy continues to
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Fresnillo, Randgold, Petrofac
27th Aug 2013 13:49
Precious metal companies Fresnillo and Randgold Resources gained as the prices of gold, silver and copper surged. Petrofac advanced as analysts at Liberum Capital said the weakness in shares and the oilfield services company's upbeat outlook presented a good buying opportunity. Marks & Spencer ra
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks fall as Syrian crisis hits sentiment
27th Aug 2013 11:46
Escalating tensions in the Middle East dented investor sentiment on Tuesday morning as traders largely shook off some upbeat economic data closer to home. Business sentiment in Germany improved across the board in August as the Eurozone's largest economy continues to build momentum. The IFO report,
Read moreMPs push for RBS break-up ahead of review
27th Aug 2013 08:56
A group of MPs have demanded a break-up of the Royal Bank of Scotland amid speculation that the proposal to break-up the lender into a good and bad bank will be thrown out. The Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards has proposed dividing the state-owned bank into a so-called 'bad bank' of ri
Read moreLondon open: Markets edge lower after long weekend
27th Aug 2013 08:12
Stocks fell on Tuesday morning after a three-day weekend as markets attempted to play catch-up following negative sessions in the US and Asia overnight. Concerns over Syria are likely to weigh on sentiment after US Secretary of State John Kerry said last night that Syria would be held accountable f
Read moreUK government to begin sale of Royal Mail in September
23rd Aug 2013 16:40
The UK government is planning to begin the sale of its majority stake in Royal Mail in September, Bloomberg reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. The sources said the postal service may announce its intention to float mid-month and the initial public offering (IPO) could open
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