London close: Late rally limits losses
21st May 2010 16:32
It was a volatile day on the markets, but Footsie rallied back above 5,000 points before the close, having sunk below that level earlier in the afternoon, and finished only slightly in the red. European worries are continuing to set traders' nerves on edge. Germany's parliament approved the country
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie sinks below 5,000
21st May 2010 14:24
The FTSE 100 has plunged below 5,000 for the first time in over six months as markets continue to fret about Europe's sovereign debt crisis and potential financial regulation. London's leading index sank below the big figure just after midday. It hasn't been this low since early November and hasn't
Read moreSector movers: Miners buck the downward trend
21st May 2010 14:07
Unusually for a day that has seen the FTSE 100 sliding more than 100 points, miners are in demand. The sector has been helped by a slight improvement in metals prices, which comes after a week of sharp declines. FTSE 100 mining stalwarts such as Xstrata, Fresnillo and Rio Tinto are wanted. But sh
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie back in the red
21st May 2010 11:38
After briefly tip-toeing into the blue, Footsie is now back in the red again as concerns about eurozone debt persist. Germany's parliament is expected to approve the country's share of a €750bn eurozone rescue package on Friday. Both houses of parliament are scheduled to vote on its potential €148b
Read moreLondon open: Modest fall for Footsie
21st May 2010 08:48
London's top stocks have opened lower but the decline is modest compared to the hammering US blue chips took overnight. British Airways record pre-tax loss of £531m is providing some distraction. The carrier was hit by strike action, bad winter weather disruption and the impact from the global rece
Read moreLondon close: Footsie slides again on euro woes
20th May 2010 16:34
London took its place in line on another miserable day for European stock markets as concern about the health of Europe sparked a switch into bonds. US shares also slumped as German chancellor Angela Merkel issued more controversial comments, including advocating a hands-on global response to marke
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie lower on weak US
20th May 2010 14:24
Futures pointing to a sharp dip in US markets early on knocked blue chips in London as the afternoon session got underway. Rio Tinto leads the miners lower after Bank of America Merrill Lynch removed the stock from its "Europe 1" list and downgraded the stock to "neutral" from "buy". The broker sa
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie drifts into the red
20th May 2010 12:07
Footsie dipped into negative territory shortly before the lunch time session commenced, with miners largely responsible for the downturn. Rio Tinto leads the miners lower after Bank of America Merrill Lynch removed the stock from its "Europe 1" list and downgraded the stock to "neutral" from "buy".
Read moreLondon close: Eurozone worries batter Footsie
19th May 2010 16:36
European concerns were behind sharp falls in shares today as plans by Germany to slap a ban on short-selling of European bonds, credit default swaps and ten of Germany's biggest financial groups spooked investors. German chancellor Angela Merkel's warning that Europe is facing its greatest crisis i
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners worry about demand
19th May 2010 15:40
Footsie is heading lower and it is the miners that are prominent amongst the fallers. Fears for the European economy and the knock on effect on the global economy have hit mining shares. Xstrata and Rio Tinto are the worst performing mining shares and eight out of the ten worst performers are mini
Read moreLondon afternoon: Experian provides isolated cheer
19th May 2010 14:13
Leading shares trimmed their losses over the lunchtime session but the predominant colour on the Footsie leaderboard remains red. Mining companies lead the retreat on fears that Germany's decision to impose an immediate ban on "naked short selling" of euro-denominated government bonds and also cred
Read moreLondon midday: Markets on short fuse
19th May 2010 12:20
Water utility company Severn Trent was the only FTSE 100 constituent to advance during the morning session, as all of the others ended the morning underwater. If the move by Germany's financial regulator to impose an immediate ban on "naked short selling" of corporate debt last night was intended t
Read moreSector movers: Alternative energy bucks the downward trend
19th May 2010 11:13
Alternative energy is the only sector posting gains today, helped by a well-received trading statement from PV Crystalox Solar, the company that makes the silicon wafers used in solar power systems, as demand for its products improve. The company said shipment volumes for the first half of 2010 are
Read moreLondon close: Footsie dives as Europe worries grow
14th May 2010 16:51
Footsie slumped in line with markets in Europe and globally on concerns that measures to tackle the European debt crisis could spark widespread civil unrest and send the eurozone into a prolonged recession. Consumer spending is likely to come under pressure as European governments - including the U
Read moreLondon afternoon: New recession fears hammer markets
14th May 2010 15:50
Shares across Europe have have tanked on concerns that measures to tackle the European debt crisis could spark widespread civil unrest and send the eurozone into a prolonged recession. Consumer spending is likely to come under pressure as European governments - including the UK's - seek to address
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