London close: Stocks off again, Yen keeps strengthening
24th May 2013 16:15
London equities finished lower for a second straight day, with investors being put off by the recent gyrations in the market, although the early close of some US markets ahead of the Memorial Day weekend may also have played a role. Market commentary is a tad divided regarding the direction which
Read moreLondon midday: Markets fall as caution sets in
24th May 2013 11:41
Mining and banking stocks were weighing on the FTSE 100 on Friday morning as the index extended losses following yesterday's dramatic sell-off. Worries about the Federal Reserve scaling back its asset purchase programme prematurely and a negative reading of factory activity in China saw markets acr
Read moreBroker tips: StanChart, AVEVA, Thomas Cook
24th May 2013 10:50
Investec has maintained its 'buy' rating and 1,900p target price for emerging markets-focused lender Standard Chartered, saying that the stock remains its top pick in the banking sector. Gordon highlighted StanChart's "unique growth profile" which translates to a 19% earnings-per-share (EPS) growth
Read moreBroker snap: Investec labels StanChart as top banking pick
24th May 2013 10:02
Investec has maintained its 'buy' rating and 1,900p target price for emerging markets-focused lender Standard Chartered, saying that the stock remains its top pick in the banking sector. In a research report on Friday, the broker highlighted dealings by StanChart directors which have contributed to
Read moreLondon close: Markets tumble as stimulus hopes fade
23rd May 2013 16:20
The recent bullish mood on equity markets quickly faded on Thursday as mixed messages from the Federal Reserve and a slowdown in China sparked a heavy sell-off on the FTSE 100, which lost more than two per cent of its value. Answering questions in Congress last night was Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke w
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: United Utilities rises on divi payment
23rd May 2013 15:26
United Utilities was one of a small handful of risers having upped its dividend on the back of what it described as a 'good' set of results, supported by a strong operational performance, which fed through to the quality of service received by its customers. Tate & Lyle climbed after Deutsche Bank
Read moreSector movers: Miners and banks fall as risk appetite wanes
23rd May 2013 15:12
Growth concerns hammered markets across the globe on Thursday, with banking and mining stocks bearing the brunt of the sell-off in London as the impressive year-to-date rally ran out of steam. As such, there were no sectors in the UK in positive territory by the afternoon, with every category eithe
Read moreBroker snap: UBS upgrades banks to 'overweight' as conditions improve
17th May 2013 10:59
UBS has lifted its rating for the global banking sector from 'underweight' to 'overweight', saying that the operating environment is beginning to improve. In a research report titled 'Post-crisis banking', UBS said that the tone of its Global FID conference earlier this week was "neutral to slightl
Read moreTuesday broker round-up UPDATE
14th May 2013 08:04
Babcock International: Jefferies increases target price from 1080p to 1250p and maintains a buy recommendation. Barratt Developments: Bank of America takes target price from 265p to 325p, while downgrading to neutral. Belgravium Technologies: WH Ireland places both its target price and its neutral
Read moreLondon close: Markets extend winning streak despite Fed concerns
13th May 2013 17:04
The FTSE 100 finished with slight gains on Monday, extending the recent winning streak into its eighth day, as markets shrugged off concerns over stimulus measures in the US and disappointing economic data in China. Following a strong rise last week, London's benchmark index reached a closing price
Read moreBroker snap: Investec downgrades HSBC after recent outperformance
13th May 2013 16:14
Shares of HSBC Holdings are currently close to five-year highs and further upside is limited, according to Investec which has cut its recommendation from 'buy' to 'reduce'. The broker said it was "perfectly comfortable" with HSBC's first-quarter results last week which saw sharply lower impairments
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: G4S in top spot after G8 contract win
13th May 2013 15:23
G4S leapt into the top spot after winning a deal to provide security at the two day Northern Ireland G8 Summit in June. It will provide 450 staff members to give support to the police. Antofagasta was another strong riser, erasing some of last week's losses after Nomura said it was one of several m
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks snap winning streak as Chinese data disappoints
13th May 2013 11:51
Disappointing economic data from China on Monday put an end to a seven-day winning streak in London which lifted the FTSE 100 to a five-and-a-half-year high last week. London's benchmark index reached a closing price of 6,625 on Friday afternoon, a level not seen since late 2007, meaning that it ha
Read moreLondon open: Markets pause after strong run last week
13th May 2013 08:48
Weakness in the financial sector meant that the FTSE 100 was in the red on Monday morning, with investors pausing for breath after the index reached fresh multi-year highs last week. London's benchmark index reached a closing price of 6,625 on Friday afternoon, a level not seen since late 2007, mea
Read moreLondon midday: BoE keeps rates steady as manufacturing data cheers markets
9th May 2013 11:41
London traded equities were just barely managing to hold steady come midday despite the much better-than-expected industrial production figures out for the UK and the positive results seen at Thursday´s auction of Spanish sovereign debt. Weighing on sentiment were the 'warning flags' which some obse
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