FTSE 100 movers: Standard Chartered meets expectations

2nd Mar 2011 14:09

Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered reported profits in line with forecasts at $6.12bn. This year has got off to a flying start, with the group enjoying a record January, both in terms of income and profit. Outsourcer Serco says that it foresees "headwinds" in 2011 as the government's austerity

Read more

London midday: Shares in partial recovery

2nd Mar 2011 12:30

Shares have moved back towards positive territory after a difficult start, with the Middle East turmoil still casting a shadow. Company updates have been given a mixed reception. The price of a barrel of oil traded above $100 a barrel as the fighting continues in Libya. Latest reports say forces lo

Read more

London open: Subdued start as Libya weighs

2nd Mar 2011 08:49

Blue chips have made a subdued start with the ongoing situation in the Middle East/North Africa and possible impact on oil prices weighing heavy. Some shares are making progress. Profits in 2010 from Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were bang in line with forecasts at $6.12bn, while 2011 got of

Read more

London pre-open: London to carry on swooning

2nd Mar 2011 07:38

After experiencing a late dive yesterday share prices in London look set to wilt again at the outset, with City traders predicting the blue-chip index will open around 50 points easier. Profits in 2010 from Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were bang in line with forecasts at $6.12bn, while 2011

Read more

Record January for Standard Chartered

2nd Mar 2011 07:03

Profits in 2010 from Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were bang in line with forecasts at $6.12bn, while 2011 got off to a record start. Profit before tax rose by just under a billion dollars from 2009's $5.15bn, with India contributing more than any other region to profits for the first time i

Read more

Wednesday preview: Standard Chartered, Serco, ITV

1st Mar 2011 17:49

With results from HSBC out of the way, it is time for the other London-listed Asia-focused banking giant, Standard Chartered, to take centre stage on Wednesday. Standard Chartered makes around three-quarters of its profits from Asia, and competition has been hotting up in the region, putting margin

Read more

Week Ahead: HSBC, Standard Chartered, Xchanging

25th Feb 2011 11:37

The banking results season comes to a close next week with the two Asia-focused operators, HSBC and Standard Chartered, declaring full year figures. HSBC is first to declare, on Monday. The performance of the Personal Financial Services division is likely to be a highlight, as bad debt write-downs

Read more

Sunday newspaper round-up: Bank bonuses, BP, Pfizer...

6th Feb 2011 11:02

Britain's biggest banks are poised to pay out a combined £6bn in bonuses despite government demands for restraint on City pay. The size of the payout will embarrass George Osborne, the chancellor, who is hoping to announce a peace deal with the City this week that will include targets for lending t

Read more

CBI opposed to break up of banks

4th Feb 2011 00:04

The desire to break up UK banks considered "too big to fail" should be resisted, John Cridland, the new head of the pressure group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said on Friday. In a series of recommendations to the Independent Commission on Banking, Cridland said: "Businesses value i

Read more

Broker tips: UK banks, Experian

3rd Feb 2011 14:08

According to Credit Suisse, there is "little to excite" investors in UK banking: Barclays remains the broker's top pick in the sector, while target prices are reduced for Lloyds, RBS, HSBC and Standard Chartered. In regards to the sector as a whole, "our advice is unchanged", says analyst John Pier

Read more

Broker snap: Little to excite at UK banks

3rd Feb 2011 13:06

According to Credit Suisse, there is "little to excite" investors in UK banking: Barclays remains the broker's top pick in the sector, while target prices are reduced for Lloyds, RBS, HSBC and Standard Chartered. In regards to the sector as a whole, "our advice is unchanged", says analyst John Pier

Read more

Monday newspaper round-up: LSE, BP, Dividends...

31st Jan 2011 06:44

Stock exchanges in Britain and the US have turned to the security services for help after discovering they were the victims of terrorist plots and attempted cyber attacks that aimed to spread panic in leading global financial markets. The London Stock Exchange has been working with the Cabinet Offi

Read more

London close: Shares jump after sluggish start

24th Jan 2011 16:46

Shares put their early indecisiveness behind them to close with good gains after a decent start on Wall Street. Banks were weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms. The political

Read more

London afternoon: Stocks edge higher

24th Jan 2011 14:49

After a morning of indecision, leading shares pushed on over the lunch time session, despite the weakness of the banking sector. Banks are weak after comments by the head of the Independent Banking Commission over stricter capital rules and possible separation of the retail and investment bank arms

Read more

NGnooncall:Equity markets fairly quiet on slow day for data

24th Jan 2011 13:40

UK UK markets have traded fairly quietly today with the banking sector leading the fallers after the report at the weekend by Sir John Vickers, chairman of the Independent Commission on Banking, said the financial crisis had exposed a "damagingly rickety structure" at the heart of the financial syst

Read more