London close: Higher finish for Footsie as miners march ahead
6th Oct 2010 16:48
It was the surge in US shares yesterday rather than today's nervous performance that provided a lead for Footsie, helping London's top share index close with good gains. A nasty jobs report sent jitters through US markets. Private sector employers cut 39,000 jobs in September, against a gain of 10,
Read moreLondon afternoon: Airlines flying high
6th Oct 2010 14:30
Profit takers have skimmed off some of the cream of the gains seen this morning on mining stocks while the two big trading updates of the day have also sparked negative reactions, but Footsie remains comfortably in positive territory. Metals prices have strengthened in line with a weaker dollar, w
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners move higher
6th Oct 2010 13:51
Miners dominate the risers as metals prices rise on the back of a weak dollar. Kazakhmys is higher after yesterday's share sale by the chairman to the Kazakhstan government. Higher gold prices are pushing African Barrick Gold higher. Even Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are higher despite doubts abou
Read moreLondon midday: Autonomy cuts revenue guidance
6th Oct 2010 12:01
With metals prices on the rise mining stocks were the shares to hold in a morning session that saw Footsie make an assault on the 5700 level before falling away in the hour before noon. Antofagasta, Anglo American, Kazakhmys and Xstrata are still sporting handsome gains. Metals prices have strength
Read moreLondon open: Blue chips power forward
6th Oct 2010 08:52
London's leading index has hit fresh five-month highs after the surge on Wall Street overnight. Footsie is now at its highest since April. Miners are driving the gains this morning with the top five risers all mining companies. Antofagasta, Anglo American, Kazakhmys and Xstrata are the best perform
Read moreLondon pre-open: Rally has legs
6th Oct 2010 07:34
The ripple from last night's leap on Wall Street should hit our shores when trading starts this morning, sending London's leading index to fresh five-month highs. Futures prices currently indicate a gain of around 20 points in early deals following a 193-point surge in the US Tuesday. The FTSE 100
Read moreSainsbury's growth quickens
6th Oct 2010 07:01
Supermarket chain Sainsbury's has outdone arch rival Tesco, reporting a 2% increase in like for like sales excluding fuel for the first half, in line with market expectations. Britain's number three supermarket grew like for like sales, ignoring petrol, by 2.9% in the second quarter. It was 1.2% in
Read moreWednesday preview: Sainsbury, Marston's, Greggs
5th Oct 2010 16:12
With the half-year trading statement from sector leader Tesco out of the way the path is clear for fellow supermarket group Sainsbury to grab the headlines on Wednesday. Back in June, at the height of the World Cup, Sainsbury was doing a roaring trade in vuvuzelas, whch helped it achieve a like fo
Read moreWeek Ahead: Supermarkets, recruiters, BoE rate decision
1st Oct 2010 11:36
Retailers and recruiters are to the fore next week, with Tesco, Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer (M&S) from the former constituency, and Robert Waters, Hays and Michael Page from the latter all set to update the market. Britain's largest retail group, Tesco, releases interim figures on Tuesday. The gr
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Banks, Ireland, Unilever
30th Sep 2010 06:29
Downing Street appeared to be snubbing the banking industry yesterday as it finalised a 16-strong panel of corporate grandees to advise the Prime Minister on business matters. While manufacturing, construction, utilities, retailing and small businesses are well represented, no one from the banking
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Housing, Sainsbury's, HSBC...
27th Sep 2010 06:41
The number of home buyers fell at the sharpest rate in more than 18 months in September, dragging house prices down further, a report published today from property website Hometrack shows. Estate agents reported that demand from new buyers dropped by 2.9%, the biggest monthly decline since January
Read moreLondon close: Lower close as rally falters
15th Sep 2010 16:35
Footsie closed a few points in the red Wednesday as a rally brought about by an improvement on Wall Street lost momentum. The US had a weak start following poorly-received manufacturing figures but sentiment recovered as trading progressed. Here, BP was lower in line with weaker oil prices, with t
Read moreLondon afternoon: Retailers provide some cheer
15th Sep 2010 14:29
Resource stocks remain a weight around Footsie's neck and have been joined over the lunch time session by banks, which are lower as the market ponders the implications of the Basel III banking guidelines. BP is lower in line with weaker oil prices, with the oil giant suffering more than its peers
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie hobbled by resource stocks
15th Sep 2010 11:58
Resource stocks are dragging London lower despite a good showing by retailers. Lower commodity prices are largely responsible for the sell off of commodity stocks, though legal battles also hover over a couple of stocks. BP is lower in line with weaker oil prices, with the oil giant suffering more
Read moreSunday tips round-up: J Sainsbury, Rio Tinto, Aviva...
8th Aug 2010 09:03
The economic outlook is uncertain, but whatever the scenario, people still have to eat. Sainsbury's has become increasingly popular with consumers, the shares at 347p offer a decent 4.4% yield and there is always the possibility of a takeover from the Qatar Investment Authority, which bid unsucce
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