Sector movers: Mining stocks rally on Chinese stimulus, but defensives fall
21st Nov 2014 15:20
A surprise interest-rate cut in China saw equity markets surge on Friday with cyclical mining stocks benefiting and defensive stocks feeling the brunt from an increase in risk appetite. Cyclical sectors are those that are closely and positively correlated to economic activity and, in the case of the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Miners jump as China cuts interest rates, oil stocks rise
21st Nov 2014 15:03
Mining stocks were dominating the risers list on the FTSE 100 on Friday after China's central bank surprised with an interest-rate cut in an effort to boost growth, raising hopes that the top metals consumer will be able to avert a hard landing. Anglo American, Fresnillo, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, An
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks snap winning streak on banking fine, BoE outlook
12th Nov 2014 16:20
News of a big fine in the banking sector and gloomy comments from the Bank of England (BoE) weighed on UK equities on Wednesday, with London's stock market finishing lower for the first time in six sessions. A weak start on Wall Street was also pressuring stocks as the benchmark S&P 500 and Dow Jone
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tullow climbs on cost review
12th Nov 2014 15:20
Tullow Oil rose after saying it was reviewing its costs in light of low international oil prices. The group said its financial performance in the year-to-date, before exploration write-offs and impairment charges, was in line with expectations. G4S said its trading in the third quarter was in line w
Read moreSector movers: Electricity stocks lose their spark as SSE warns on profits
12th Nov 2014 14:32
Electricity stocks declined on Wednesday after British energy company SSE warned that profits would not grow this year after "a challenging business environment" in the first half. SSE, which provides gas, electricity and telecoms services, said adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the year ending
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks retreat from six-week high on earnings, BoE outlook
12th Nov 2014 12:05
UK equities pulled back from a six-week high on Wednesday as a string of disappointing corporate earnings and a gloomier outlook by the Bank of England dampened sentiment. News of a massive fine in the banking sector also caused blue-chip lenders to fall sharply on London's stock market. The FTSE 1
Read moreLondon open: FTSE snaps five-day winning streak ahead of Inflation Report, banks fall
12th Nov 2014 08:33
UK stocks declined on Wednesday, snapping a five-day winning streak that sent the FTSE 100 to a six-week high, as investors digested a wave of corporate earnings and awaited the Bank of England's (BoE) Inflation Report. News of a massive fine across the UK banking sector was also dragging high stree
Read moreSSE guides lower on full-year profits, dividend cover may fall
12th Nov 2014 07:31
Energy and power supplier SSE saw a 6.2% drop in reported profit before tax (PBT) to £316.6m in the six months to 30 September. That came about despite a 15.5% fall in investment and capital expenditure to £679.3m and as adjusted net debt and hybrid capital increased by £185.6m to £7.91bn. In adjus
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
11th Nov 2014 09:55
AdEPT Telecom: WH Ireland moves target price from 170p to 185p, keeping its buy recommendation. Northland moves target price from 165p to 175p and maintains a buy recommendation. Betfair: JP Morgan raises target price from 1175p to 1350p and upgrades from neutral to overweight. BHP Billiton: JP Mor
Read moreSSE strikes six-year gas deal with Statoil
3rd Oct 2014 13:40
Renewable electricity and gas supplier SSE has announced a new gas supply deal with Norwegian energy company Statoil. The contract will begin 1 October 2015 and last for six years. According to Bloomberg, the agreement secures SSE 500,000 therms of gas per day, approximately 6% of its average daily
Read moreMonday broker round-up UPDATE
22nd Sep 2014 11:28
Avation: WH Ireland shifts target price from 200p to 206p and maintains a buy recommendation BAE Systems: UBS raises target price from 460p to 505p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Centrica: Goldman Sachs ups target price from 385p to 396p leaving its buy recommendation unchanged. Chariot Oil
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks near two-week high as Scots vote against independence
19th Sep 2014 11:18
UK stocks advanced on Friday, poised to finish at their highest levels in two weeks, after the Scottish people voted in favour of the Union in a crucial independence referendum. Some 55.3% of Scots voted 'no' to independence from the UK while 44.7% voted 'yes', erasing concerns about a break-up whic
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks rise as Scots vote 'no' to independence
19th Sep 2014 08:22
UK stocks staged a relief rally on Friday morning in the aftermath of the Scottish referendum, which saw people north of the border vote convincingly to remain part of the Union. Some 55.3% of Scots voted 'no' to independence from the UK while 44.7% voted 'yes', erasing concerns about a break-up whi
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Next results fall short of City expectations
11th Sep 2014 14:53
FTSE 100 retailer Next confirmed total sales growth of 10.3% in the first half and slightly upgraded its full-year earnings guidance, but shares slumped after the figures fell short of City analysts' ambitious forecasts. Retail stores and its online business both delivered significant growth to lift
Read moreLondon midday: Miners pull UK stocks lower after weak Chinese data
11th Sep 2014 11:56
Weakness in the heavyweight mining sector pushed UK equity markets into the red on Thursday, outweighing a decent performance by financial stocks. Underwhelming interim results from the likes of Morrisons and Next were also weighing on sentiment in London. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.4% lower at 6,8
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