Sunday newspaper round-up: Bank break-ups, Lloyds, Double-dip...
23rd Jan 2011 10:01
A break-up of Britain's banks came a step closer yesterday after the head of a government financial commission said he was likely to recommend splitting their operations. Sir John Vickers, chairman of the Independent Commission on Banking, said the financial crisis had exposed a "damagingly rickety
Read moreMonday newspaper round-up: Bank bonuses, snow, BSkyB
20th Dec 2010 06:30
George Osborne and Vince Cable will today pile pressure on senior bankers by threatening tax rises and further regulations if they go ahead with another bumper round of bonuses. The Chancellor and the Business Secretary are meeting the chief executives of the five largest banks ? the Royal Bank of S
Read moreLondon close: Flat finish
16th Dec 2010 16:33
It was hard going for the leading index Thursday, with gains among some of the more unfashionable blue chip names just about cancelling losses at BP and heavyweight miners. The FTSE 100 struck a new 2½-year intraday high early in the session, but that was as good as it got, and only a sudden improv
Read moreLondon afternoon: No US lift for FTSE 100
16th Dec 2010 14:54
Footsie is still looking for direction following a mixed start on Wall Street. Oil giant BP is under pressure after news last night that the US government is to sue over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill It filed a civil lawsuit against BP and eight other companies over the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exp
Read moreBroker tips: UK banks, Serco, Misys
16th Dec 2010 14:29
Nomura highlights the attractive valuations of EU banks, but says the sector is volatile and its preference if for northern European commercial banks over those in the south. According to Peace, southern European banks are under a greater earnings risk than the northern sector due mostly to the imp
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie off highs as BP declines
16th Dec 2010 12:05
Footsie remains below the 5,900 point mark having earlier surpassed that level to hit 2½-year highs, with BP still holding the leading share index back. The oil giant is under pressure after news last night that the US government is to sue BP over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill It filed a civil lawsu
Read moreBroker snap: Serco still a 'sell'
16th Dec 2010 11:51
Serco's recent dull share price is not enough to get Panmure Gordon to change its negative stance on the stock as the broker's preference in the sector remains elsewhere. Full-year trading for the outsourcing giant remains in-line with expectations, according to the broker, as the group reiterated
Read moreSerco remains confident of growth
16th Dec 2010 10:11
Outsourcing giant Serco has reconfirmed the update issued last month noting that it expects strong organic revenue growth and progress towards its 2012 margin guidance in the year ending 31 December. The group, which provides management and consulting expertise to the public sector, remains confide
Read moreLondon open: Sluggish spell continues
16th Dec 2010 08:31
Shares are in indecisive mode again this morning though company updates have sparked investor interest. News last night the US government is to sue BP over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has sent shares in the oil giant lower, though not drastically. It filed a civil lawsuit against BP and eight othe
Read moreGB technology used in Serco/Microsoft online offering
1st Dec 2010 13:10
Identity management specialist GB Group has teamed up with UK outsourcing firm Serco and US software mammoth Microsoft to develop an identity management solution aimed at providing citizens with secure access to local authority information and entitlements. Serco has announced today that the firs
Read moreLondon close: US jobs data lifts sentiment
24th Nov 2010 16:44
Footsie put its early uncertainty behind it to close with good gains, helped by strong jobs figures from the US which cheered global markets following the jitteriness of the last couple of days. First-time jobless claims fell by a bigger than expected 34,000 to 407,000 in the week ended 20 November
Read moreLondon afternoon: Rolls celebrates another big order
24th Nov 2010 14:36
Barely a dozen or so FTSE 100 constituents are in the red today as the blue-chip index sets about clawing back some of the losses of the last two days, despite continued concerns about the Irish debt crisis and the military tensions in Korea. Better than expected jobs data from the US put investors
Read moreSerco wins major expansion to Hertfordshire gig
24th Nov 2010 14:12
Outsourcing giant Serco has won a £200m eight-year contract with Hertfordshire County Council to provide a range of front and back office operations. Serco will overhaul the council's internal business processes, develop customer services and co-operate with the council on achieving cost savings of
Read moreLondon close: Footsie recovers as M&A action heats up
15th Nov 2010 16:37
The top share index snapped out of a weak start to finish in positive territory Monday as jitters over the Irish debt situation eased and bid speculation and company updates attracted attention. Shares in Invensys moved higher despite the engineering firm denying press reports that it has received
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Bid rumours boost Invensys
15th Nov 2010 15:03
Bid talk pushed Invensys higher. The engineering firm denies press reports that it has received an approach. Chief executive Ulf Henriksson told the Telegraph that China Southern Rail has agreed in principle the possibility of acquiring Invensys, but no "discussions regarding a possible offer for
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