London close: Russia, China concerns keep FTSE firmly in red

24th Mar 2014 16:59

- Ukraine, China weigh heavily on market - Eurozone PMI falls unexpectedly - US manufacturing comes in below expectations techMARK 2,753.98 -1.32% FTSE 100 6,520.39 -0.56% FTSE 250 16,019.41 -0.87% Stocks finished firmly lower today as concerns over mounting geopolitical tensions in western Europe

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FTSE 100 movers: Lloyds climbs on rating upgrade

24th Mar 2014 15:48

Investec has upgraded its rating for Lloyds Banking Group from 'hold' to 'buy', telling investors that "it is safe to go back in the water", prompting a strong rise in the share price. "After a 10% 10-week pull-back, we again see reasonable value for a low-risk stock. Upgrade to 'buy'," the broker

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Sector movers: Energy suppliers fall on fears of competition probe

24th Mar 2014 14:59

Electricity and utility stocks were trading lower on Monday after weekend reports that Ofgem could refer the 'Big Six' energy suppliers to competition regulators. The Sunday Times said that an Ofgem report on the energy market, due this month, could lead to a referral of the Big Six to the Competi

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London midday: Stocks fall as Crimea turmoil drags on

24th Mar 2014 11:42

- Ukraine tensions escalate as G7 leaders meet - Interim President orders withdrawal from Crimea - Chinese manufacturing PMI eases - Kentz, Centamin impress, Diploma drops techMARK 2,769.80 -0.75% FTSE 100 6,537.07 -0.31% FTSE 250 16,085.67 -0.46% Heightened geopolitical tensions in Ukraine pushed

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London open: Ukraine, China fears weigh on stocks

24th Mar 2014 08:24

- Reports of increased Russian presence near Ukraine border - Chinese manufacturing PMI falls - Standard Life in talks with Phoenix over Ignis - Kentz, Centamin rise after results techMARK 2,779.91 -0.39% FTSE 100 6,549.85 -0.11% FTSE 250 16,173.87 +0.09% UK stocks opened in the red on Monday as r

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Sunday newspaper round-up: Life insurers, energy companies, supermarkets

23rd Mar 2014 15:45

The chief executives of some of Britain's biggest life insurers have asked regulators to intervene after the Chancellor's announcement of dramatic changes to the pensions market, the Sunday Telegraph said. The insurance bosses have contacted the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulat

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London close: FTSE ends lower after Yellen comments, budget impact

20th Mar 2014 16:59

- FTSE down 30.69 points, weighed by Yellen comments - Mortgage lending falls six per cent - Broker comment lifts SSE techMARK 2,800.23 -0.66% FTSE 100 6,542.44 -0.47% FTSE 250 16,217.35 -0.74% UK stocks finished in the red today as investors digested hawkish comments from Fed Chairwoman Janet Yel

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Sector movers: SSE lifted by Morgan Stanley upgrade

20th Mar 2014 15:42

The Electricity sector crackled higher on Thursday, led by Scottish utility SSE. The FTSE 100 energy supplier was given a double upgrade by Morgan Stanley from 'underweight' to 'overweight' with its price target lifted to 1,735p. The group's shares fell 3.1% to 1,482p. Paper and packaging giant

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FTSE 100 movers: SSE rises on rating upgrade

20th Mar 2014 15:02

Electricity provider SSE was in the top spot after receiving a ratings upgrade from Morgan Stanley. Next was on the up after the High Street retailer reported annual profit that met the top end of its guidance, driven by growth in online sales. The company achieved an 11.8% rise in pre-tax profit

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London midday: UK stocks at six-week low after hawkish comments from Yellen

20th Mar 2014 12:01

- Yellen comments rattle markets on tightening fears - FOMC tapers asset purchases by another 10bn dollars/month - Next impresses with full-year results - Changes in Budget continuing to affect stocks techMARK 2,788.04 -1.09% FTSE 100 6,500.19 -1.11% FTSE 250 16,174.99 -1.00% UK stocks dropped sha

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London open: Stocks drop after hawkish comments from Yellen

20th Mar 2014 08:21

- Yellen says rate hike could come six months after QE ends - Fed continues to taper by 10bn dollars a month - Next impresses with full-year results techMARK 2,804.74 -0.50% FTSE 100 6,546.18 -0.41% FTSE 250 16,267.89 -0.43% UK stocks fell on Thursday morning, following a sell-off on US and Asian

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Markets calm but awaiting developments in Crimea

17th Mar 2014 13:58

The European Union (EU) and US have imposed travel bans and asset freezes against nearly two dozen officials from the Russian Federation and Ukraine. That is in response to Sunday's referendum in the breakaway region of Crimea, which saw 97% of voters purportedly cast their ballots in favour of re-

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Tuesday broker round-up UPDATE

11th Mar 2014 09:03

Aviva: RBC Capital takes target price from 400p to 550p upgrading to neutral. Nomura increases target price from 489p to 625p and reiterates a buy recommendation. Balfour Beatty: Citi raises target price from 220p to 310p maintaining a neutral rating. Goldman Sachs reduces target price from 335p to

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Ofgem announces new rules affecting 'Big Six'

26th Feb 2014 09:13

Energy regulator Ofgem has unveiled new rules that will mean the "big six" energy suppliers will face tougher scrutiny to ensure a "simpler, clearer, fairer" market. Under the new enforcements, which come into play at the end of March, the largest six suppliers in the UK will have to trade fairly

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Tuesday newspaper round-up: HSBC, Fukushima, US defence cuts

25th Feb 2014 06:17

More than 600 senior bankers and star dealmakers at HSBC will be paid six or seven-figure 'allowances' designed to bypass the European Commission's crackdown on excessive bonuses. In some cases, the new payments will be bigger than base pay, with Stuart Gulliver, the chief executive, due to receive

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