London pre-open: Rise of around 40 points expected on FTSE
18th Aug 2014 07:46
London's blue chips are set for a positive start to the week, with the FTSE expected to rise above 6,700 at the opening bell. A gain of around 40 points above Friday's closing level of 6,689.08 is predicted, despite mixed trading in Asia overnight and in the US on Friday evening. Here in the UK,
Read moreRio Tinto considers future of Papua New Guinea copper project
18th Aug 2014 07:42
Mining group Rio Tinto said it will decide on the future of its majority stake in a long-dormant copper mine in Papua New Guinea. Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), in which Rio owns a 58.83% interest, had been producing copper and gold from its Panguna project until mining stopped in 1989. New le
Read moreSector movers: BHP Billiton leads mining stocks higher
15th Aug 2014 13:47
Mining stocks were making decent gains as a return of investor risk appetite and demerger talk surrounding sector giant BHP Billiton provided a boost. An upgrade to UK economic growth estimates for the second quarter and hopes of stimulus measures in Europe and China was driving gains across the Lo
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BHP Billiton jumps, but precious metal miners fall
15th Aug 2014 13:44
BHP Billiton shares jumped on Friday after the world's biggest mining company by revenues said that it is considering a demerger of certain assets in an effort to make the business "simpler and more productive". The company, reiterated its focus on its "four pillars" - iron ore, copper, coal and p
Read moreLondon midday: BHP leads markets higher after UK GDP upgrade
15th Aug 2014 12:00
- Annual UK GDP growth revised higher - Ukraine crisis in focus as Russian convoy nears border - BHP leads miners higher on demerger comments techMARK 2,763.55 +0.51% FTSE 100 6,726.15 +0.61% FTSE 250 15,757.92 +0.53% London stocks advanced on Friday after an upgrade to UK second-quarter growth es
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 rises for third day, BHP gains
15th Aug 2014 09:10
- Stocks set to close at highest level this month - Stimulus bets continue to drive gains - Putin comments help sentiment, but developments closely watched - BHP Billiton considering demerger of assets techMARK 2,756.41 +0.25% FTSE 100 6,717.11 +0.48% FTSE 250 15,732.60 +0.36% Stocks rose strongly
Read moreSector movers: Property stocks build on deal news
14th Aug 2014 17:30
Property stocks drove top flight shares higher on Thursday after positive news in the sector. British Land and Land Securities were leading the FTSE 100 risers after both secured lucrative property deals this week. On Wednesday, Land Securities exchanged contracts to sell its 50% stake in Cabot Ci
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: TUI Travels gains on merger reports
14th Aug 2014 15:43
TUI Travel advanced following reports its majority owner TUI AG is pressing ahead with plans to merge the two companies. Germany-based TUI AG, which owns 55% of TUI Travel, said there was "no plan B" in the event of a failure of the proposed merger with the listed UK business. TUI AG also reporte
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Admiral and Glencore shares fall after H1 results
13th Aug 2014 14:49
Car insurance group Admiral was a heavy faller on Wednesday after the group said turnover in the first half was down 5% at £1.04bn as a 9% rise in customers was outweighed by a fall in premiums over last year. The company said that while UK premiums are no longer falling a return to growth remains e
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks advance as rate-hike speculation eases
13th Aug 2014 12:08
- BoE strikes dovish tone as wages fall - Ukraine crisis, Asian data in focus - Ex-dividend stocks limit upside - Banking stocks lead upside techMARK 2,736.01 +0.28% FTSE 100 6,661.68 +0.44% FTSE 250 15,528.53 +0.41% An overall dovish tone to the Bank of England's (BoE) Inflation Report gave UK st
Read moreLondon open: Stocks flat on rate speculation ahead of Inflation Report
13th Aug 2014 09:04
- Inflation Report, rate speculation keeps markets cautious - Ukraine crisis in focus as Russian convoy heads to border - Chinese data disappoints, Japanese GDP sinks - Ex-dividend stocks fall techMARK 2,725.51 -0.10% FTSE 100 6,630.77 -0.02% FTSE 250 15,403.28 -0.40% Weak economic data from Asia,
Read moreLondon close: FTSE ends higher as investor sentiment improves
11th Aug 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 65.46 at 6,632.82 - Geopolitical tensions ease, sentiment improves - UK home loans rise in June techMARK 2,727.40 +1.23% FTSE 100 6,632.82 +1.00% FTSE 250 15,460.73 +1.43% UK stocks registered a decent gain on Monday as investors took advantage of the bargains to be had following
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Rio Tinto leads miners higher
11th Aug 2014 16:32
The mining sector was performing well with heavyweights such as Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo American making gains. Rio was supported by comments from Canaccord Genuity, which repeated its 'buy' rating on the back of the miner's strong free cash flows in the first half. Centrica inched higher desp
Read moreSector movers: Mining stocks lead rebound as risk appetite returns
11th Aug 2014 14:59
Mining stocks were making gains in London on Monday as risk appetite returned after UK equities fell to a four-month low last week. Cyclical sectors such as mining and basic resources had experienced choppy trading in recent weeks as investors sought relatively 'safer' assets which are not as sensi
Read moreBroker tips: Friends Life Group, Rio Tinto, Drax
11th Aug 2014 13:00
Deutsche Bank has lowered its recommendation for Friends Life Group (FLG) from 'buy' to 'hold', saying it sees worse-than-expected underlying trends at the life assurance firm. The bank said that its previous 'buy' call had been due to "four main planks", two of which now appear weaker than origina
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