London midday: Markets pause at three-month low as UK data disappoints
9th Oct 2013 11:19
Disappointing UK production figures and the ongoing political deadlock in the US weighed on market sentiment on Wednesday morning, with the FTSE 100 subdued after hitting a three-month low the day before. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was trading broadly flat by midday, erasing earlier losses,
Read moreLondon open: Stocks under pressure as debt ceiling looms
9th Oct 2013 08:22
Markets dropped sharply once again on Wednesday as investors' appetite for risk continues to be eroded by the ongoing government shutdown in the US. Not even the news that well-known dove Janet Yellen will be nominated as the next chair of the Federal Reserve lifted stocks this morning, with the FT
Read moreLondon open: M&S, Burberry lead FTSE 100 lower as US shutdown persists
7th Oct 2013 08:29
An ongoing government shutdown Stateside continued to weigh on market sentiment on Monday with London's FTSE 100 registering losses in morning trade. US lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on either the budget or the debt-ceiling over the weekend, heightening fears that the US could run out of t
Read moreLondon close: Markets in 'wait-and-see' mode as shutdown continues
4th Oct 2013 16:46
After fluctuating between gains and losses for most of the day, the FTSE 100 finished broadly flat on Friday as stocks struggled for direction. In the absence of economic news and ongoing political uncertainty in the States, markets remain in "wait-and-see mode", according Senior Market Analyst Mic
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Standard Life leads financials higher
4th Oct 2013 15:24
Financials were performing relatively well today with insurers Standard Life, Prudential, Resolution and RSA moving higher, along with banking groups HSBC and RBS. Standard Life was boosted by JP Morgan, which reiterated its 'overweight' rating on the stock, and commented that growth continued to
Read moreLondon midday: UK markets lack direction as US budget impasse persists
4th Oct 2013 11:31
After a slow start, the FTSE 100 had erased losses by midday on Friday but markets remain subdued as stocks struggle for direction in the absence of economic news and ongoing political uncertainty in the States. Since the partial shutdown of the US government has extended into its fourth day, gove
Read moreThursday broker round-up UPDATE
3rd Oct 2013 08:21
Alternative Networks: Westhouse Securities downgrades to neutral with a target price of 350p. ARM Holdings: Credit Suisse moves target price from 1030p to 1050p and reiterates an outperform rating. Burberry Group: JP Morgan raises target price from 1450p to 1550p reiterating a neutral rating. Car
Read moreLondon close: Late rally not enough as FTSE 100 falls for fourth straight day
2nd Oct 2013 16:43
A slight bounce in the UK-listed mining sector saw the FTSE 100 rally on Wednesday afternoon but the index still finished firmly in the red, setting a fresh one-month low as political uncertainty in the US and Italy continued to weigh on sentiment. The FTSE 100 finished down 22.51 points at 6,437.5
Read moreLondon close: Stocks rise despite more unbalanced UK economy
26th Sep 2013 16:58
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index ended the day up 14.06 points at 6,565.59, rebounding after hitting a two-week low of 6,551.53 on Wednesday. That came after a solid reading on US initial weekly unemployment claims - unemployment is the key variable for the short-term economic outlook. However,
Read moreLondon close: Stocks up but gains limited on Fed uncertainty, mixed data
24th Sep 2013 16:31
Markets closed slightly higher on Tuesday afternoon after a choppy day though upside was limited as investors focused on mixed data and the uncertain future for Federal Reserve monetary policy. Last week's surprise decision by the Fed to maintain its stimulus programme is still fresh in investors'
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Tate & Lyle hit by Credit Suisse rating cut
20th Sep 2013 15:02
Shares in food and sweeteners manufacturer Tate & Lyle were falling heavily on Friday after the stock's rating was cut by Credit Suisse from 'outperform' to 'neutral'. The bank said its greatest concern is a proposal in Mexico to tax soft drinks which would reduce demand the group's high-fructose
Read moreLondon close: Stocks sink into the red ahead of FOMC outcome
18th Sep 2013 16:23
After a range-bound morning session, markets sunk into the red on Wednesday afternoon as investors reduced their appetite for risk ahead of the Federal Reserve policy decision later this evening. The FTSE 100 closed 11.35 points lower at 6,558.82, the index's second day in negative territory after
Read moreSector movers: Banks rebound after sharp falls
18th Sep 2013 14:26
Stocks in the banking sector were among the highest risers on Wednesday as share prices rebounded following some heavy falls the day before. UK domestic bank Lloyds was towards the top of the pack on the FTSE 100 after bearing the brunt of the selling action on Tuesday. Shares in the part-nationa
Read moreLondon midday: Markets rangebound ahead of Fed decision
18th Sep 2013 11:32
Markets were rangebound on Wednesday morning as investors showed nervousness ahead of the all-important Federal Reserve policy decision later this evening. UK stocks were registering moderating gains by midday but just 19 points separated the FTSE 100's intraday low (6,568) and high (6,587) as trad
Read moreLondon open: Stocks flat as investors turn cautious ahead of Fed
18th Sep 2013 08:16
Markets opened broadly flat on Wednesday morning as investors refrained from building positions ahead of the conclusion of this month's all-important Federal Reserve policy meeting. However, with an announcement from the US central bank not due out until after markets close this evening, there will
Read more