Sector movers: Standard Chartered lifts banks
9th Dec 2009 11:05
Asia-focused Standard Chartered gives the banking sector a lift after saying it remains on course for a record year with a strong performance in wholesale banking offsetting lower income in consumer banking, while its exposure to Dubai is not 'material'. "With regard to recent developments in the U
Read moreLondon open: Better than expected
9th Dec 2009 08:52
London has opened stronger than expected despite three-figure losses in the US overnight and a trickle of bad news on Greece and Dubai. UK investors also have Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget speech to look forward to at lunchtime. Speculation is he'll announce the biggest squeeze in publi
Read moreLondon pre-open: Early dip is forecast
9th Dec 2009 07:37
Futures prices are indicating a 14-point deficit early Wednesday as traders react to three-figure losses in the US overnight and await further news on Greece and Dubai. UK investors also have Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget speech to look forward to at lunchtime. Speculation is he'll anno
Read moreStandard Chartered sanguine over Dubai exposure
9th Dec 2009 07:21
Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered remains on course for a record year with a strong performance in wholesale banking offsetting lower income in consumer banking, while its exposure to Dubai is not 'material'. "With regard to recent developments in the United Arab Emirates, the situation remains
Read moreWednesday preview: Pre-Budget speech, Standard Chartered
8th Dec 2009 16:09
All eyes will be on Alistair Darling at 12.30pm Wednesday as the Chancellor starts his Pre-Budget Report. He's thought to have ruled out the giveaway route and will instead focus on recovery prospects and a measured plan to reduce Britain's debts. Previous forecasts that the UK economy will grow b
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: RBS remains a concern
8th Dec 2009 11:20
It has been a mixed day for banks. Royal Bank of Scotland tops the worst performers and Standard Chartered is also in decline but Lloyds Banking Group is one of the best performers. The prospect of the inclusion a windfall tax on bonuses in tomorrow's pre-budget report is worrying the sector, but
Read moreLondon close: Rate rise fears fuel late slide
4th Dec 2009 17:17
Euphoria over the better than expected US jobless figures proved short-lived as week-end profit taking took hold and miners headed underground. Metal prices weakened in the afternoon session, taking mining stocks with them, as some pundits suggested that with the better than expected jobless figure
Read moreLondon afternoon: Stocks bounce into the blue after US jobs
4th Dec 2009 14:20
Share prices have surged higher as the keenly watched US monthly jobs figures showed a big drop in the number losing their jobs and an unexpected drop in the level of US unemployment. Miners are leading the rally with Rio Tinto the best performer. Other gainers include ENRC and oil explorer Cairn E
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks treading water
4th Dec 2009 12:17
Share prices are stabilising at lower levels as investors wait on the big US jobless announcement due at 1:30pm. Banks are on the back foot after a lukewarm note on the sector from JP Morgan. The US bank is particularly down on part-nationalised bank Royal Bank of Scotland, which it advises its cli
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rallies above 5,300
1st Dec 2009 16:14
Strength in the US, a record gold price and fight back by the banks had London at session highs by the close of play. Markets decided that fears about Dubai's debt have been overdone. State-owned Dubai World said it had held "constructive" talks with banks and flagged plans to restructure nearly ha
Read moreLondon afternoon: Triple digit gain for Footsie
1st Dec 2009 14:59
Leading shares kicked on again in the afternoon session after US markets opened firmer, with the number of Footsie constituents showing a loss on the day being countable on the fingers of one hand. Mining stocks are going well on hopes of a sustained recovery in Chinese manufacturing. Silver miner
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie consolidates gains
1st Dec 2009 12:00
London is participating in a global rally by stock markets, as doubts over the Dubai debt crisis ease. Buoyant manufacturing data from China is lifting miners. HSBC said the Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) for China climbed to a seasonally adjusted 55.7 in November from 55.4 in October. The index
Read moreLondon close: Shares drop again in late trading
30th Nov 2009 16:32
London's blue chips recovered most of their losses in late afternoon trading and looked like they could be set for a positive finish before turning down again just before the close. Banks such as Lloyds Banking, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered remained nervous about the debt situation
Read moreLondon afternoon: Banks pare losses
30th Nov 2009 14:36
Leading share prices are still holding steady at lower levels as investors await further developments from Dubai. Banks such as Lloyds Banking, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered remain nervous about the debt situation in emirate, though the morning's losses have been pared. HSBC defie
Read moreLondon midday: Share prices steady down
30th Nov 2009 12:09
UK share prices are stabilising at lower levels after hopes of a continued rebound from the Dubai-inspired shake-out on Thursday were quashed by disappointing UK consumer confidence figures. Figures from market research firm Gfk NOP showed consumer sentiment fell to -17 from -13 in October. Middle
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