Sector movers: Miners under pressure
14th May 2010 13:14
Mining stocks are under pressure as concerns over economic conditions in Europe stoke fears over state of the global economy generally Southern European countries such as Greece, which has had to turn to its eurozone peers to stop its debt crisis from spilling over, and Portugal, which also has a
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie under pressure amid debt worries
14th May 2010 10:40
Shares are firmly in the red amid concerns that the European debt crisis has not been staved off and could hit company earnings. Consumer spending is likely to come under pressure as European governments - including the UK's - seek to address their difficult debt positions following the economic cr
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips make healthy gains
13th May 2010 16:33
London's top stocks rallied near the close to finish well up on the day as traders speculated on possible measures to cut the UK's debt burden. A VAT rise to 20% is a likely measure according to a group of economists questioned by the BBC. Justin King, chief executive of supermarket Sainsbury's,
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie still in the blue
13th May 2010 15:06
London's top stocks are easing down towards the close after a flat start on Wall Street and some calming down of the excitement over the plans of the new Conservative-Liberal government. The focus now is on just how they new government intends to get the UK's debt levels down, with a VAT rise to 20
Read moreSector movers: ENRC cheers mining sector
13th May 2010 14:00
Mining stocks are in demand after an upbeat trading statement from Kazakhstan's ENRC. Chiefs at ENRC are "pleased" with progress during the first quarter and say the recovery in demand, especially in China, continue to give it confidence for 2010. Revenue for the three months to 31 March "increase
Read moreLondon midday: BT leads market higher
13th May 2010 12:07
London's top stocks are making good gains helped by BT's full-year numbers and a decent showing from the miners. BT is the strongest riser on news that telecoms giant returned to the black in the last quarter and the full year and reported a 6% rise in the dividend. Pre-tax profit hit £1.01bn in th
Read moreSector movers: Banks and miners on the back foot
11th May 2010 13:16
Banks are among the worst performers on a tough day for the markets, most notably part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland. The taxpayer-owned bank has agreed to pay the US government $500m to settle charges it conspired to violate the US Bank Secrecy Act. The Department of Justice said ABN Amro,
Read moreLondon close: Shares slide after election
7th May 2010 16:48
Shares continued sliding on Friday as the European debt crisis rumbled on and after the previous day's election failed to produce a decisive result. Germany's parliament has approved a rescue package for Greece, but traders are still worried that the debt problems could spread to other countries, i
Read moreLondon afternoon: RBS leads retreat
7th May 2010 14:35
The market rally seen towards the end of the morning session fizzled out over lunch as London joined other European markets in retreat. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has moved into line with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and agreed that the Conservative party, which won the most seats in yesterd
Read moreLondon midday: Clegg statement calms markets
7th May 2010 12:10
After initially reacting negatively to the prospect of a hung parliament London's leading shares have rallied after Liberal Democratic party leader Nick Clegg said he is sticking with his pre-election view that the party with the most votes - in this case the Conservatives - should have first crack
Read moreRio Tinto adds voice to Australia tax concerns
6th May 2010 11:41
Rio Tinto has denied media reports that it has shelved projects in Australia in response to proposals for new taxes on miners' profits, but said it is 'reviewing the possible impact' of the tax. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wants to slap a 40% tax (Resource Super Profits Tax) on resource projects from
Read moreLondon close: Late rally pares losses
5th May 2010 17:16
Though tomorrow is the day of the UK General Election all eyes were on Greece today, as at least three people were reported dead as violent protests erupted in central Athens against the planned introduction of austerity measures. Stocks came off the bottom towards the end of the session, though th
Read moreLondon afternoon: Greek riots rattle investors
5th May 2010 14:53
Footsie is now nursing a triple digit fall as the downward trend seen in the last hour of the morning session accelerated over lunch as US investors woke up to television footage of Greeks rioting in the streets. Civil unrest in Greece has sent the price of oil and metals into decline with a predic
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks turn south again
5th May 2010 12:19
Having recovered all the way back to last night's closing level shortly after 11:00am the Footsie headed south again for the remainder of the morning as the US futures markets suggested Wall Street will open lower. On a busy day for trading announcements Next is the most conspicuous faller despite
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Miners, G4S, Vitec
5th May 2010 06:51
Australia has just become the world's most-taxed mining economy after introducing a 40% super-tax. It will hit mining groups hard, but earnings were about to expand strongly anyway. Although a setback, there should still be enough profit to go around suggests the Telegraph. By far the most exposed
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