London afternoon: Tobacco giant leads way
2nd Feb 2011 15:07
A limp start on Wall Street isn't helping London, but the leading index remains within reach of 6,000, supported by a strong mining sector and big gains at cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco. Resource plays still dominate the leaderboard. Eurasian National Resources (ENRC) is better on news productio
Read moreLondon midday: Miners underpin FTSE 100 gains
2nd Feb 2011 12:09
Strong gains in the mining sector are helping to keep the top share index close to the 6,000 point mark. Results are also driving shares forward. The best performing miner in the FTSE 100, Eurasian National Resources (ENRC), said production was in line with expectations in the fourth quarter of 201
Read moreLondon open: Miners push Footsie above 6,000
2nd Feb 2011 08:26
Mining stocks are driving London higher in the early going as the price of copper rose to record levels in New York and London, following unexpectedly good US manufacturing figures yesterday. The giants of the mining sector, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, are both sporting solid gains, as are Lonmin,
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Goldman Sachs, George Osborne, BHP Billiton...
30th Jan 2011 11:12
Goldman Sachs has awarded a £9m bonus to the joint head of its London business, risking a further backlash over giant City pay deals. The investment bank's share award to Michael Sherwood, 45, was revealed in American regulatory filings late last week. It is likely to rank as one of the biggest pay
Read moreRio edges nearer Riversdale deal
24th Jan 2011 08:04
Rio Tinto moved a step nearer the completion of a $3.9bn deal for coal miner Riversdale after major shareholder Tata Steel give approval for the offer. Mozambique-focused Riversdale said no superior proposal to Rio Tinto's offer had been received and it was not aware of any party having an intentio
Read moreLondon close: Shares end week on a high
21st Jan 2011 16:59
London's leading share index went into the weekend on a high after falls the previous two days. Royal Bank of Scotland led the top share index higher after the FT reported that bank executives and officials at the Treasury are talking about ways for the bank to exit the toxic asset scheme. After
Read moreLondon afternoon: Miners lead revival
21st Jan 2011 14:35
After yesterday's triple-digit fall the Footsie has clawed back around half of those losses, helped by a strong performance from miners. Weather conditions in Australia have improved enough to allow Rio Tinto to end the force majeure event that's disrupted supplies of aluminium from Boyne Smelters
Read moreLondon pre-open: Stocks set to bounce back
21st Jan 2011 07:35
London's leading shares look set to claw back a small proportion of yesterday's heavy losses, encouraged by the late rally by Wall Street yesterday. City traders expect the Footsie will open around 17 points up from last night's close. Weather conditions in Australia have improved enough to allow
Read moreFlood-hit Rio Tinto 'back to normal' at aluminium arm
21st Jan 2011 07:05
Weather conditions in Australia have improved enough to allow Rio Tinto to end the force majeure event that's disrupted supplies of aluminium from Boyne Smelters near Gladstone. The company's aluminium arm, Rio Tinto Alcan, says transport operations have now returned to normal. "Flood waters are r
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Invensys, Easyjet, BHP Billiton...
21st Jan 2011 06:45
What has driven the Invensys share price in recent months, though, is bid speculation, especially after some unfortunate remarks in November by the chief executive Ulf Henriksson that its Chinese rail partner might be interested. Though these were swiftly played down, a break-up still looks a possi
Read moreLondon close: Shares buoyant as updates impress
18th Jan 2011 16:42
The top share index closed near its highs, helped in part by well-received company updates. Burberry was in fashion after bumper demand for outdoor coats and other luxury accessories meant a storming third quarter for the luxury goods group, with revenue up by 30% and profits now set to hit the top
Read moreLondon afternoon: Gains get trimmed
18th Jan 2011 14:35
Share prices came off the boil over the lunch time session though Footsie remains firmly in the red, as things continue to look rosier in the eurozone. Burberry is in fashion after bumper demand for outdoor coats and other luxury accessories meant a storming third quarter for the luxury goods group
Read moreLondon midday: Shares keep gains
18th Jan 2011 12:17
The top share index remains buoyant as mining sector strength and company updates attract buyers. Miners are strong led by Vedanta, Kazakhmys and ENRC.Rio Tinto's global iron ore operations set a new quarterly production record in the final three months of 2010. The group produced 65m tonnes in the
Read moreLondon open: Footsie back over 6,000
18th Jan 2011 08:49
Blue chips have rallied following a strong performance in Asia this morning, renewed demand for the miners and some good trading updates. Brewer SABMiller helped more drinkers in Africa and China quench their thirst during the third quarter, sending organic lager volumes up 3%. The owner of Peroni
Read moreRio Tinto iron ore production hits record levels
18th Jan 2011 07:38
Mining giant Rio Tinto's global iron ore operations set a new quarterly production record in the final three months of 2010. The group produced 65m tonnes in the final quarter of last year, up from 50m tonnes the year before, taking 2010 production up to a record 239m tonnes, versus 185m tonnes in
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