FTSE 100 movers: ENRC leads miners higher
3rd May 2013 15:05
Mining stocks were making decent gains as metals prices improved. ENRC was the standout performer on the back of reports Suleiman Kerimov, the Russian billionaire, has increased his stake in the miner. Also on the rise was newly merged commodities trader and mining giant Glencore Xstrata on its fi
Read moreLondon midday: Miners buoy Footsie ahead of US jobs data
3rd May 2013 11:43
Strength in the mining sector kept the FTSE 100 in positive territory on Friday morning, though the index was rangebound ahead of the all-important US jobs report due out this afternoon. A surprise drop in American jobless claims yesterday pushed the S&P 500 to a new all-time high last night as mar
Read moreLondon open: Markets up ahead of US jobs report, but RBS falls
3rd May 2013 08:38
London's FTSE 100 index opened broadly flat on Friday morning as a sharp fall from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) offset a strong performance in the mining sector. Investors were still digesting what has been a busy week for financial markets with monetary policy decisions from the Federal Reserve (F
Read moreLondon midday: Markets subdued as eyes turn to ECB
2nd May 2013 11:18
Markets were trading within a narrow range on Thursday as traders refrained from taking risk ahead of a potential rate cut from the European Central Bank (ECB) this afternoon. The consensus forecast is for a 25 basis-point cut in the ECB's key lending rate (the 'refi' rate) from 0.75% to 0.5%, give
Read moreLondon open: Markets cautious ahead of ECB decision
2nd May 2013 08:57
The FTSE 100 was in the red in early trading on Thursday as nerves set in ahead of the all-important European Central Bank (ECB) policy decision later on. "The day of reckoning has arrived, with the market largely priced for a 25 basis-point (bp) cut in the ECB's main refinancing rate to 0.50%. The
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: BT leads the way after o2 deal
1st May 2013 14:52
BT Group shares were leading the risers on Wednesday after signing a 10-year deal with o2 to create a new 4G network worth in the region of 500m pounds. Speciality chemicals group Johnson Matthey has made strong gains after a positive update from Credit Suisse said that weaker platinum prices have
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks extend gains ahead of Fed decision
1st May 2013 11:27
The FTSE 100 was taking advantage of low volumes on Wednesday morning, registering decent gains by lunchtime as other stock markets across Europe remained closed for the May Day public holiday. A slowdown in Chinese manufacturing growth didn't have too much of an effect on markets early on as trade
Read moreLondon open: Miners shrug off disappointing Chinese data
1st May 2013 08:21
A slowdown in Chinese manufacturing growth didn't have too much of an effect on stock markets on Wednesday morning as traders showed optimism in anticipation of a continuation of monetary stimulus from the US and a rate cut in Europe this week. Nevertheless, volumes are expected to be low today giv
Read moreBroker tips: Miners, BT, Greggs
29th Apr 2013 11:17
Nomura has kept its cautious view on the European mining sector but has highlighted BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto as its top picks and upgraded its rating for ENRC and Anglo American from 'reduce' to 'neutral'. Nomura reckons that BHP Billiton, rated 'buy' at a price target of 2,400p, has a high-quali
Read moreBroker snap: Nomura cautious on miners, but BHP and RIo named top picks
29th Apr 2013 09:22
Nomura has kept its cautious view on the European mining sector but has highlighted BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto as its top picks and upgraded its rating for ENRC and Anglo American. "We have been neutral//defensive on the sector for some time now, and despite recent falls in the space, our thoughts
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners in retreat
26th Apr 2013 14:01
Heavyweight mining stocks were in the red today as risk appetite declined ahead of the US. ENRC, EVRAZ, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Fresnillo, Antofagasta and Glencore were among the worst performers. ENRC was the biggest faller after Business Secretary Vince Cable was called upon to launch an offi
Read moreLondon midday: Miners fall ahead of US growth figures
26th Apr 2013 12:08
Stocks in the UK slipped on Friday morning as traders took profits after a three-day winning streak with markets nervous ahead of economic growth data from the United States this afternoon. The US Commerce Department is expected to reveal that gross domestic product (GDP) in the world's largest eco
Read moreLondon open: Markets nervous ahead of US GDP data
26th Apr 2013 08:41
Markets opened in negative territory on Friday morning as eyes turned to the all-important reading of first-quarter economic growth in the US. The US Commerce Department is expected to reveal later on that gross domestic product (GDP) in the world's largest economy expanded at a 3.0% pace in the fi
Read moreSector movers: Miners rise on ECB stimulus hopes
24th Apr 2013 16:04
Increasing hopes of an interest-rate cut in the Europe spurred investor appetite for risk on Wednesday, boosting the miners to the top of the pile. Gloomy figures from the Ifo institute this morning showed that the deterioration of the German economy continued this month with its headline business
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Standard Life soars after beating analyst expectations
24th Apr 2013 15:09
Insurance giant Standard Life was a strong riser after beating analysts' predictions in the first quarter after delivering strong sales and group assets under administration. The group recorded a 24% increase in long-term savings sales to £6.3bn and a 26% increase in long-term savings net flows to
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