London close: Gains wiped out
1st Aug 2011 16:57
After a late dive the top share index finished deep firmly in the red, reversing strong gains after some weak economic data from the US. The Institute of Supply Management´s (ISM) purchasing managers´ index for the manufacturing sector fell to 50.9 points in July, from 55.3 the month before. That d
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 adds more gains as HSBC impresses
1st Aug 2011 12:12
The leading share index is approaching triple-digit gains now with company updates driving shares higher. The FTSE 100 got off to a strong start and was boosted further by results from HSBC, which updated after the open. The banking giant unveiled a rise in profits and announced plans to cut up to
Read moreLondon open: 5,900 in sight as Footsie starts strongly
1st Aug 2011 08:32
Only four stocks were in the red on Monday morning as the blue chip index recovered from a week of losses on the back of the back-and-forth debt ceiling debates in the US. However, the saga is apparently close to its end after President Barack Obama and congressional leaders agreed on a deal to put
Read moreAdverse weather conditions trims Xstrata's coal production
26th Jul 2011 09:18
Mining giant Xstrata's coal production fell slightly in the first half of the year, partly due to the severe floods in Queensland, while total copper production was unchanged from the year before. For the six months ended 30 June, total mined copper production was 434,046 metric tonnes, compared t
Read moreLondon close: European hopes boost Footsie back to 5,900
21st Jul 2011 16:34
London equities rallied to a strong finish - recouping the losses experienced over the last week - on hopes of a solution to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. At midday, shares offset early losses as reports surfaced that Europe's leaders have agreed on a new aid package for Greece and an overh
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials soar on Eurozone hopes
21st Jul 2011 15:02
Financials were leading the recovery on Thursday afternoon following a fall earlier in the day, on hopes of a solution to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. European leaders agreed a new aid package for Greece and an overhaul of the Eurozone sovereign rescue fund. Among the proposals are a reduct
Read moreLondon close: Debt hopes boost markets
20th Jul 2011 16:39
Shares moved higher on both sides of the Atlantic amid hopes that European and US leaders are making progress towards agreeing solutions to debt problems. It was US corporate news that boosted today's star sector in London though. Chip companies ARM Holdings and Imagination Technologies sizzled aft
Read moreLondon midday: Chip stocks sizzle as Apple impresses
20th Jul 2011 12:16
Shares are posting strong gains today as the spotlight moves from Europe's debt woes to the US, where traders are optimistic lawmakers will reach agreement on cutting the world's biggest economy's deficit. Chip companies ARM Holdings and Imagination Technologies in particular are taking their lead
Read moreLondon open: Miners jump higher in early trading
20th Jul 2011 08:42
After a strong finish on Wall Street last night - with the Dow Jones having its best day of the year so far - the Footsie opened up nearly 0.5% higher. Mining giant BHP Billiton was a high riser after it was able to achieve another iron ore output record in the year ended 30 June, its eleventh cons
Read moreRio Tinto recovering from weather effects
14th Jul 2011 08:03
The weather gods smiled more kindly on mining giant Rio Tinto in the second quarter though the company still suffered some port and rail constraints. In its second quarter operations update the company said global iron ore production attributable to Rio rose 12% from a year earlier and 17% from the
Read moreLondon close: BSkyB, financials provide a drag
11th Jul 2011 16:37
The Footsie dropped over 1% lower on Monday as satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) and European debt-contagion fears weighed on sentiment. Shares of BSkyB took a tumble as the potential takeover by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp hangs in the balance. The UK government said it was pre
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BSkyB leads fallers, Int'l Power rises
11th Jul 2011 15:11
Shares of BSkyB dropped by6% and was the top loser on the blue chip index on Monday as the potential takeover by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp hangs in the balance. The UK government said it was preparing to ask telecoms regulator Ofcom for additional advice. The Australian government's proposal on cl
Read moreLondon midday: Takeover concerns continue to hit BSkyB
11th Jul 2011 12:24
After briefly touching the 6,000 level, the Footsie slumped 30 points lower on Monday morning, with satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSkyB) providing a drag. Shares of BSkyB dropped more than 6% and was the top loser on the blue chip index at lunchtime as the potential takeover
Read moreLondon open: International Power makes gains
11th Jul 2011 08:32
The Footsie opened up higher but fell into the red in early trading as two giants weighed up the effects of an Australian climate change proposal. International Power opened strongly to lead the risers after responding to the proposed climate change plan in Australia. Under the proposed plan to red
Read moreLondon pre-open: Rio squealing over Aussie tax proposal
11th Jul 2011 07:40
London is set to start the week lower, with Australian miners likely to be on the back foot after the Australian government's carbon tax proposal. The Aussie government has decided to implement a tax of A$23 a tonne on the 500 heaviest emitters as of 1 July 2012, as part of a scheme to cut 159m ton
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