London close: Strong run continues
13th Sep 2010 16:42
Shares continued rising Monday as they reacted positively to new banking regulations and Chinese economic data. London is up for the fourth session in a row and trading higher for the eleventh day out of twelve, up at a new four-month high. Stocks haven't been this high since 30 April. Banks were
Read moreLondon afternoon: Buyers buzzing
13th Sep 2010 15:27
The leading index is near its best levels of the day following a strong start on Wall Street, fuelled by new Basel III bank rules and impressive Chinese factory output. London is up for the fourth session in a row and trading higher for the eleventh day out of twelve, up at a new four-month high. S
Read moreLondon midday:Miners and banks lift index
13th Sep 2010 12:20
London's strong start to the day has continued with banks, miners and the odd sprinkling of bid talk giving buyers lots to bite on. Banks are among the top risers after a less stringent than feared Basle III decision by the European banking body. Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds are both in demand
Read moreLondon close: Sluggish Footsie limps higher
10th Sep 2010 16:38
Modest gains on Wall Street failed to spur London into action and the leading share index closed just a few points higher. US shares were boosted by economic figures showing wholesale inventories jumped by 1.3% in July, ahead of estimates, and sales at distributors rose by 0.6%. Among companies he
Read moreSector movers: Mining falls back despite upgrades
10th Sep 2010 14:57
Mining stocks are lower in line with metals prices, though some stocks are bucking the trend following positive results from studies of their mines. FTSE 250 stock Hochschild Mining is higher after it reported an encouraging scoping study and an upgrade of reserves for the Inmaculada gold-silver pr
Read moreLondon afternoon: Main index little moved
10th Sep 2010 14:39
We're little changed from last night's close as Wall Street opens, with a largely bright financials sector offset by mostly weaker commodity plays. Most banks have done well - Barclays excluded - on hopes that new banking rules announced this weekend will be favourable. Regulators are meeting this
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie flat as mining retreat offsets banks' advance
10th Sep 2010 12:01
On a quiet day on the company news front Footsie is flat, with banks advancing on hopes that new banking rules announced this weekend will be favourable, but miners falling back. Regulators are meeting this weekend to thrash out rules on banks' capital. Royal Bank of Scotland leads the sector on ho
Read moreLondon midday: BP spreads the blame
8th Sep 2010 12:00
It's back to square one for London with the Footsie virtually unchanged at the end of the morning session after early losses were wiped out. News that the US markets look set to open firmer after yesterday's triple-digit fall for the Dow has bolstered confidence this side of the pond. BP edged high
Read moreSector movers: TUI and IHG drag down leisure stocks
10th Aug 2010 15:30
Travel and leisure stocks, particularly those related to holidays, are having a poor day. TUI Travel warned profits this year will be at the low end of forecasts after UK bookings faltered. Bookings by Britons are down by 2% over the past 12 weeks with the Netherlands down by 3%. This later booking
Read moreLondon midday: Consumer spending fears sink Footsie
10th Aug 2010 12:02
Concern about consumer spending has pulled the rug from under Footsie after a profit warning from tour operator TUI and weak retail sales figures. TUI Travel warned profits this year will be at the low end of forecasts after UK bookings faltered. Bookings by Britons are down by 2% over the past 12
Read moreSunday tips round-up: J Sainsbury, Rio Tinto, Aviva...
8th Aug 2010 09:03
The economic outlook is uncertain, but whatever the scenario, people still have to eat. Sainsbury's has become increasingly popular with consumers, the shares at 347p offer a decent 4.4% yield and there is always the possibility of a takeover from the Qatar Investment Authority, which bid unsucce
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners help to hold up index
6th Aug 2010 14:58
Footsie is barely changed on the day despite a sharp fall after the publication of disappointing US job figures. Mining companies make up five out of the 10 best performers. Exane BNP Paribas has upgraded Kazakhmys and Rio Tinto. Lonmin is the biggest faller because of a dispute over prospecting r
Read moreBroker tips: Rio Tinto, PartyGaming, Trinity Mirror
6th Aug 2010 12:37
Yesterday's profit from Rio Tinto was a record and better than expected, but the shares aren't trading far from where they were at February's finals, too low for Charles Stanley. The miner made US$5.8bn in the six months to 30 June, up from £2.6bn in the same period last year on sales of $26.8bn co
Read moreBroker snap: Rio Tinto finds support
6th Aug 2010 11:54
Yesterday's profit from Rio Tinto was a record and better than expected, but the shares aren't trading far from where they were at February's finals, too low for Charles Stanley. The miner made US$5.8bn in the six months to 30 June, up from £2.6bn in the same period last year on sales of $26.8bn co
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Rio Tinto, Randgold Resources, Schroders
6th Aug 2010 06:38
Rio Tinto's must rate as one of the most spectacular debt-reduction strategies of modern times and leaves the miner with gearing of 20%. The restructuring should give investors renewed confidence in Rio's balance sheet but, more importantly, it will enable the miner to fund future growth projects.
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