Sector movers: Banks rise on Fitch comments, accounting change
24th Jul 2014 14:59
Upbeat comments from Fitch and changes in accounting standards gave the UK-listed banking sector a boost on Thursday. HSBC was the standout performer in afternoon trade, rising 2.4%, while Barclays and RBS rose over 1%. Ratings agency Fitch said that so-called Viability Ratings (VRs) on banks in E
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase losses as banks and housebuilders gain
24th Jul 2014 12:04
- Banking, housing stocks provide a boost - Kingfisher, Easyjet slump after results - Ukraine still in focus as Russian sanctions discussed - Eurozone PMI improves, UK retail sales fall techMARK 2,821.65 -0.06% FTSE 100 6,802.89 +0.07% FTSE 250 15,726.48 0.00% UK stocks managed to turn around afte
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start ahead of retail sales, corporate news
24th Jul 2014 07:46
A flat start is predicted for the FTSE following mixed trading in Asia and the US and ahead of a busy day for corporate earnings. Overnight, it was revealed that Japan's most recent trade data was rather unimpressive, although the HSBC Chinese manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) figure p
Read moreStandard Chartered denies rumours of CEO succession
24th Jul 2014 07:18
Standard Chartered batted away rumours that Chief Executive Peter Sands or Chairman Sir John Peace might be replaced in light of recent disappointing results. The bank said in a statement that it did "not accept" the media rumours. "No succession planning is taking place as a result of recent inve
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: StanChart, Big Six, Centrica...
24th Jul 2014 07:16
The directors of Standard Chartered rushed out a statement last night, giving emphatic support to the chairman Sir John Peace and chief executive Peter Sands amid growing shareholder pressure for heads to roll at the embattled blue-chip bank. Institutional shareholders contacted by The Times said th
Read moreWednesday broker round-up UPDATE
23rd Jul 2014 09:01
Abcam: Canaccord Genuity ups target price from 375p to 400p and upgrades from hold to buy. ARM Holdings: Deutsche Bank cuts target price from 975p to 950p and maintains a hold recommendation. Credit Suisse lowers target price from 1125p to 1100p and leaves its outperform rating unaltered. Beazley:
Read moreFriday broker round-up UPDATE
18th Jul 2014 07:55
Barclays: Credit Suisse cuts target price from 275p to 235p retaining a neutral rating. Barratt Developments: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 468p to 387p and downgrades to hold. Bellway: Liberum Capital reduces target price from 1900p to 1764p, while leaving its buy recommendation uncha
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: Experian, Sports Direct, Shire
13th Jul 2014 12:24
Sir John Peace will suffer his third shareholder rebellion in three months this week when investors in Experian revolt over pay and succession plans at the credit checking company, the Sunday Times said. Peace will then have suffered rebellions at each of the three FTSE 100 companies he chairs. At B
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: LSE drops on Qatar sale, Portugal fears hit banks
10th Jul 2014 15:29
London Stock Exchange was one of the worst performers on the FTSE 100 on Thursday after Qatar Investment Authority cut its 15% stake in the exchange operator by a third ahead of the UK-listed firm's planned $1.6bn rights issue to fund the acquisition of Frank Russell. Concerns about contagion from
Read moreSector movers: Banks drop on fears over Portugal's banking sector
10th Jul 2014 14:33
UK-listed banking stocks felt the brunt of the sell-off on Thursday as concerns about Portugal's financial sector prompted investors to scale back risk appetite. The retreat followed widespread pressure across European equity markets after a missed debt payment by Espirito Santo International, the
Read moreBroker tips: Burberry, StanChart, Halfords, Croda
10th Jul 2014 12:54
Luxury brand Burberry's first-quarter update showed signs of "blowing away some cobwebs", according to Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers. "Burberry provides premium products, has a premium valuation, but has yet to attain a premium rating - however, updates such as this will continue to exert positi
Read moreInvestors should "keep the faith" at StanChart, recommends Investec
10th Jul 2014 11:03
Investec has recommended that investors "keep the faith" at Standard Chartered despite an underwhelming first-half update from the emerging markets-focused bank last month. "Standard Chartered's June 26th pre-close trading update was disappointing," said Analyst Ian Gordon, with the bank reported a
Read moreLondon open: Markets subdued on quiet end to week
4th Jul 2014 08:58
- Quiet start, US markets closed - No economic data on tap - Airlines in focus after traffic stats techMARK 2,855.35 +0.12% FTSE 100 6,856.48 -0.13% FTSE 250 16,051.76 +0.14% After hitting a three-and-a-half week high the previous day, UK stocks opened slightly lower on Friday in a quiet end to a
Read moreStandard Chartered to sell selected private equity investments
2nd Jul 2014 17:52
Standard Chartered will soon begin selling a £500m portfolio of private-equity investments, according to media speculation. The bank will sell minority stakes in companies it owns including those in India, Bloomberg reported, citing two people with knowledge of the situation. Shares in the London-
Read moreLondon close: UK construction, StanChart lift FTSE
2nd Jul 2014 16:59
- FTSE closes up 13.45 at 6,816.37 - UK construction drives gains - StanChart lifted by private equity sale rumours techMARK 2,832.57 0.00% FTSE 100 6,816.37 +0.20% FTSE 250 15,897.11 +0.35% London's blue chips closed with modest gains today, coming off a sharp dip this morning, but with limited m
Read more