FTSE 100 movers: Miners on the march
23rd Dec 2009 12:27
Miners are among the top risers, including Rio Tinto, which has accepted a $2.025bn offer for its Alcan Packaging pharmaceutical, tobacco and food divisions from the packaging group Amcor as it continues its programme of asset sales to ease its debt pile. Kazakh pair ENRC and Kazakhmys are the top
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Financials push market higher
16th Dec 2009 15:54
Financials and miners have been pushing the FTSE 100 index higher, while investors appear to be deserting the good old solid companies and looking for riskier investments with more potential upside. Rentokil Initial led the way as Deutsche Bank increased its price target for the support services
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie in the blue
2nd Dec 2009 14:52
Though banks are still looking sickly, Footsie has struggled into positive territory on the back of a strong mining sector. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) remains the biggest faller among blue-chips, with lingering concerns about its exposure to Dubai World's debt now overshadowed by with newspaper r
Read moreLondon midday: Banks get battered
2nd Dec 2009 12:11
After yesterday's strong gains, equities come off the boil today with banks, in particular, getting hammered, on enduring fears over exposure to Dubai debt. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking are the big fallers among blue-chips, while elsewhere in the banking sector Barclays is also o
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
Read moreBroker tips: HMV, water firms, insurers
27th Nov 2009 11:39
HMV has been benefiting from the demise of competitors and is likely to continue doing so, says the broker Charles Stanley as it keeps its 'buy' rating on the music, film and video game retailer. Charles Stanley is not signed up to the scepticism about HMV's long term prospects expressed by other o
Read moreBroker snap: Evolution sees greater risk for water firms
27th Nov 2009 10:55
Evolution Securities has downgraded its recommendation on Pennon and Northumbrian from 'buy' to 'add' as it thinks the water firms face greater regulatory risks despite the relaxation of Ofwat's determination on how much they can charge customers over the next five years. Evolution thinks the firms
Read moreLondon Close: Dubai worries knock market
26th Nov 2009 17:25
The London market wasn't helped by a technical glitch at the London Stock Exchange but it was never going to be a good day due to worries about the debt problems of Dubai. The fact that there was no trading for more than three hours just made investors even more nervous. The FTSE 100 fell by more
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Dubai worries batter stocks
26th Nov 2009 14:26
London Stock Exchange is one of the heaviest fallers in the FTSE 100 after the exchange operator was forced to suspend trading for more than three hours following a technical hiccup this morning. It had already come in for selling ahead of the shutdown as analysts fretted over how the Dubai debt si
Read moreLondon afternoon: Trading resumes .. so does the decline
26th Nov 2009 14:18
Trading resumed on the London Stock Exchange at 2:00pm after the exchange's technical glitch, but prices are not looking any healthier than they were before the trading interruption. Banks are under the cosh on concerns over Dubai's debt situation. The government owned Dubai World, which has debts
Read moreBroker tips: Utilities, Mitchells & Butlers, Ricardo
26th Nov 2009 12:42
On the day when Ofwat, the water regulator, released its final ruling on pricing restrictions for the water companies, Morgan Stanley has issued a timely review of the utilities sector. Two of Thursday morning's best performing stocks, Severn Trent and United Utilities, are named as Morgan Stanley'
Read moreLondon midday: Trading suspended on LSE
26th Nov 2009 12:07
Banks shares are leading the market lower today as investors fret about the debt situation in Dubai. The government owned Dubai World, which has debts of $59bn, has asked creditors if it can delay debt repayments due next month until May of next year. HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Lloyds
Read moreBroker snap: MS sees earnings risk for utilities
26th Nov 2009 10:45
On the day when Ofwat, the water regulator, released its final ruling on pricing restrictions for the water companies, Morgan Stanley has issued a timely review of the utilities sector. Two of Thursday morning's best performing stocks, Severn Trent and United Utilities, are named as Morgan Stanley'
Read moreLondon open: Dull start for Footsie
26th Nov 2009 08:35
London's blue chips have opened lower despite relief among water investors over the final price settings for the next five years. Water companies will have to cut bills in real terms between 2010 and 2015, the water regulator Ofwat said, though not by as much as it previously proposed. Ofwat said a
Read moreOfwat waters down price cut proposals
26th Nov 2009 07:18
Water regulator Ofwat has ruled that water companies will have to lower bills over the next five years, though by less than it previously proposed. Ofwat said average annual bills will have to fall by £3 to £340 between 2010 and 2015. However, the price cuts proposed by Ofwat are less favourable
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