London afternoon: US data encourages Footsie
25th Aug 2009 15:11
A strong start on Wall Street is keeping London in the blue, just, with investors welcoming a bigger than expected jump in US consumer confidence. The leading index remains on course for a sixth consecutive day of gains after state-owned lender Royal Bank of Scotland said it will cut the level of b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners weigh on index
25th Aug 2009 14:12
Miners are still leading the blue chip fallers. Kazakhmys, Xstrata, Antofagasta, Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Randgold Resources are among the worst in the sector. Royal Bank of Scotland is topping the risers, while Standard Chartered is lower after the FT reported the s
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie still in the red
25th Aug 2009 11:54
Despite threatening to move back into positive territory an hour ago, the Footsie has slid further back down into the red. Miners are still heavily weak with seven out of the top ten losers so far from the sector. Kazakhmys, Xstrata, Antofagasta, Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton
Read moreLondon open: Miners lead decline
25th Aug 2009 08:15
Miners are leading London's top stocks lower in early dealing after a poor afternoon session in the US and weaker Asian markets. Kazakhmys is the worst performer, down more than 4%, closely followed by Lonmin, Xstrata, Antofagasta, Eurasian Natural Resources, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, BHP Billito
Read moreLondon close: Stocks finish ahead
24th Aug 2009 16:23
London's leading shares have finished the day with comfortable gains as miners and banks stole the limelight. Mining giant Rio Tinto is reportedly in talks with the Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) over co-operation in bauxite and alumina production. The Australian Financial Review newspap
Read moreDenham's London Capital stake nears 16%
24th Aug 2009 15:57
London Capital Group's finance boss Simon Denham has taken his stake in the spread betting firm closer to 16% with the purchase of another 200,000 shares. Denham, co-founder of financial spread betting unit Capital Spreads, paid £360,000 or 180p each, for the shares. He now owns 6.1m shares, or 15.
Read moreLondon afternoon: Centrica claims victory
24th Aug 2009 14:33
The Footsie regained some of its momentum over the lunch-time session, helped by expectations of a firm start on Wall Street. Centrica is wanted after it declared victory in its battle to take over Venture Production. The British Gas owner bought another 8.4% of Venture shares this morning, taking
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie backs off from 4900
24th Aug 2009 12:06
London's blue-chips are off the top but still predominantly in the blue. Strong miners and financials helped push the FTSE 100 index above 4900 shortly before 11:00am but this just encouraged profit-takers to make their move. Advertising firm WPP was the morning's best performer ahead of results o
Read moreSector movers: Construction stocks build more gains
24th Aug 2009 11:54
Some well received company updates have helped lift the construction & materials sector higher. Insulation board maker Kingspan climbed 16% even after it said EBITDA for the six months ended 30 June fell 55% as the group battled against tough market conditions. It reported strong sales of insulatio
Read moreRio Tinto and Chinalco in fresh talks
24th Aug 2009 08:44
Mining giant Rio Tinto is reportedly in talks with the Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) over co-operation in bauxite and alumina production. The Australian Financial Review newspaper quoted Rio Tinto’s chief financial officer Guy Elliott as saying the talks are at a very early stage. The
Read moreLondon close: Fed optimism bolsters Footsie gains
21st Aug 2009 16:31
Footsie finished with strong gains going into the weekend after US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said prospects for a return to global growth look good. 'After contracting sharply over the past year, economic activity appears to be levelling out, both in the United States and abroad, and th
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie bursts through 4800
21st Aug 2009 14:15
Trading remains very thin in London but that has not stopped the Footsie from moving above the 4,800 level for the first time since October of last year. Insurance companies, with their huge investment portfolios, are naturally big beneficiaries of the continued market revival and they lead today
Read moreLondon midday: London's streak continues
21st Aug 2009 12:04
The wobble by global stock markets on Monday following last Friday's dismal US consumer sentiment figures seems a long time ago now as London looks well set to advance for the fourth day in a row. Insurance companies lead the advance in the wake of yesterday's surge by fallen US insurance giant AI
Read moreLondon open: Shares start lower
21st Aug 2009 08:17
London's top stocks have opened lower on profit taking ahead of the weekend and weaker Asian markets. Last night's gains in the US and yesterday's 10½ month high in London counted for nothing in the East today where stocks have tumbled. Hong Kong stocks were unsettled by fears the China's banking
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early slip in store
21st Aug 2009 07:39
UK blue chips are expected to give back a little of their recent gains early Friday, about 25 points, on profit taking ahead of the weekend and weaker Asian markets. Last night's gains in the US and yesterday's 10½ month high in London counted for nothing in the East today where stocks have tumbled
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