London afternoon: US retail sales setback
15th Feb 2011 14:30
Footsie moved into the red over the lunch time session after the release of disappointing US retail sales figures. US retail sales were up 0.3% in January, according to the Commerce Department, though they'd risen 0.5% the month before and were expected to do the same this time. Excluding autos,
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish for FTSE 100
14th Feb 2011 16:42
The top share index finished flat after a sluggish day's trading. Takeover talk pushed the price of engineering stalwarts Weir Group and Invensys higher, with engineering colossus Siemens said to have cash burning a hole in its pocket. The German company's chief financial officer, Joe Kaeser, sai
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie in red despite miners
14th Feb 2011 14:29
Mining stocks are buoyant after China's economy grew 9.8% in the final quarter of 2010, but demand for miners has not prevented the blue-chip index from sliding into the red. Takeover talk is pushing the price of engineering stalwarts Weir Group and Invensys higher, with German engineering colossu
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 turns lower
14th Feb 2011 12:13
The top share index is slightly under pressure now though there is some excitement among oil-related stocks in the mid-cap index. Shares in John Wood have roared ahead after the oilfield services group said it is returning money to shareholders, and is to pay out $1.7bn after it agreed to sell it
Read moreLondon open: Egypt gives early boost
14th Feb 2011 08:45
The departure of Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak and gains on Asian markets have given Footsie an early lift. Miners are going well after strong trade figures from China. Xstrata and Rio Tinto lead the sector higher. Reports that China's inflation numbers tomorrow may be better than expected has a
Read moreSector movers: Rio Tinto extends gains
11th Feb 2011 16:11
Mining stocks are doing well with giant Rio Tinto among the risers after it revealed record full-year profits yesterday, as well as a $5bn share buy-back and a 20% increase in the dividend. Today, the stock was given a lift by comments by Credit Suisse, which said that the buy-back is a good sign t
Read moreBroker tips: Rolls-Royce, Rio Tinto, SABMiller
11th Feb 2011 13:06
Valuation levels at Rolls-Royce are starting to look more compelling, according to Nomura, which reiterates its positive stance on the engine maker. The group delivered solid results yesterday, with profits 4% better than expected, despite challenging market conditions and the £56m financial charge
Read moreBroker snap: Buy-back brings comfort at Rio Tinto
11th Feb 2011 12:57
Credit Suisse says that Rio Tinto's recent $5bn share buy-back should settle concerns over its use of cash, keeping the stock on its 'Focus List'. The broker says that the buy-back, announced Thursday, is a good sign that the mining giant is willing to increase cash returns alongside a capital expe
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Rio Tinto, Rolls-Royce, Diageo...
11th Feb 2011 06:59
Rio Tinto, which in the bad days of spring 2009 had debts of $39bn (£24.2bn) after the badly timed purchase of Alcan in 2007, exited last year with just $4.3bn of borrowings, or gearing of 6%. It generated a record $23.5bn of cash last year, up 70% on 2009. This is by any standards a staggering tu
Read moreLondon close: Footsie lower as results disappoint
10th Feb 2011 16:29
Footsie staged a late rally to climb back over 6,000, but still ended the day lower amid a very mixed bag of company results. It was a day for corporates to keep their head down as even those companies posting good numbers got whacked. Miner Rio Tinto fell after record full-year profits, a $5bn sha
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie hovers around 6,000
10th Feb 2011 15:18
Footsie has slumped below 6,000 with insurers and miners featuring prominently among the laggards. Miner Rio Tinto is lower even though it had plenty to please shareholders, with record full-year profits, a $5bn share buyback and 20% increase in the dividend. The Anglo-Australian group made a net
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Smith & Nephew bucks trend
10th Feb 2011 12:37
Medical products supplier Smith & Nephew reported a strong rise in 2010 profit as well as the departure of its boss. Smith & Nephew saw revenue in the final quarter of 2010 remain more or less unchanged from a year earlier at $1,066m. That brought full year revenue up to $3,962m, up 4% from $3,772
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stuck lower after Bank holds rates
10th Feb 2011 12:29
Shares remain firmly in the red following the Bank of England's decision to leave interest rates and quantitative easing unchanged. The Bank has kept interest rates on hold at a record low of 0.5% Mixed results have added to the unsettled mood. Drinks giant Diageo raised revenues in the six months
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 lower after mixed updates
10th Feb 2011 08:29
Shares are moving in both directions after updates, but the FTSE 100 is lower overall. Price rises and improved volumes in North America and continuing growth in emerging markets helped drinks giant Diageo lift revenues in the six months to December 31, but weakness in Europe resulted in profits m
Read moreRio Tinto profits triple
10th Feb 2011 07:46
Miner Rio Tinto had plenty to please shareholders Thursday, with record full-year profits, a $5bn share buyback and 20% increase in the dividend. The Anglo-Australian group made a net profit of US$14.3bn in 2010, up from $4.9bn the year before, as prices improved for almost all Rio's major commodit
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