London close: Footsie nudges higher, Ecofin meeting eyed
29th Nov 2011 16:37
The FTSE 100 nudged higher in afternoon trading after swinging between gains and losses all day, as some better-than-expected US economic data boosted equities stateside. Lifting sentiment late on was the Conference Board's consumer confidence index which rose from a revised 40.9 in October to 56 t
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Premier Foods tops the charts
29th Nov 2011 15:52
After its recent dramatic falls in its share price, Premier Foods continued to build on the 28% gains it has made over the past month. Spread betting pioneer IG Group was also on the up after it saw a high level of client activity in the second quarter of its financial year, continuing the trend s
Read moreLondon close: Footsie rises above 5,300
28th Nov 2011 17:29
Footsie stormed above 5,200 in trading and kept on going, finishing north of 5,300 on hopes that tomorrow's meeting of Eurozone finance ministers in Brussels will be the occasion on which a number of new measured, aimed at getting to grips with the region's debt problems, will be announced. Banks w
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Thomas Cook is ready for take-off
28th Nov 2011 14:48
Shares in troubled tour-operator Thomas Cook shot up on Monday morning in reaction to news issued late on Friday that the cash-strapped firm has reached an agreement with its bankers to provide the company with a new lending facility. Shares were up nearly 50% in the first half-hour of trading to 2
Read moreBroker snap: Uncertainties still high on Thomas Cook, Credit Suisse says
28th Nov 2011 12:33
Analysts at Credit Suisse have given a guarded welcome to the new financing arrangement which Thomas Cook has put in place with its creditor banks. The Swiss bank considers that said arrangements are a "positive", but cautions that, "clarity on the group's financial outlook remains very uncertain,
Read moreBroker tips: BHP, Thomas Cook and Glencore
28th Nov 2011 11:17
Analysts at Nomura have this morning published a research note highlighting how, in their opinion, fear has provoked a divergence between investor sentiment and mining valuation fundamentals. Thus, they argue that mining equities are already pricing in further falls (in commodity prices) and that v
Read moreLondon open: Sun comes out for Thomas Cook
28th Nov 2011 08:45
Banks are leading London higher, buoyed by reports that the Eurozone finance ministers are set to do them a favour when they meet in Brussels tomorrow. Reports say the finance chiefs are discussing the possibility that the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) could insure the bonds of debt
Read moreMarkets welcome £200m lifeline for Thomas Cook
28th Nov 2011 07:44
Shares in troubled tour-operator Thomas Cook shot up on Monday morning in reaction news issued late on Friday that the cash-strapped firm has reached an agreement with its bankers to provide the company with a new lending facility. Shares were nearly 50^ in the first half-hour of trading to 27p.
Read moreMonday newspaper round up: CIC, bank funding gap, NHS
28th Nov 2011 07:17
The FT leads with the news that China's sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corporation is ready to invest in infrastructure projects in the UK. This investment is being announced a few days before the Chancellor, George Osborne's, Autumn statement in which he is expected to prioritise infra
Read moreLondon close: Banks lead rally
25th Nov 2011 17:12
Every day this week and last the Footsie has been stuck in reverse gear but today it jolted forward, thanks to a little help from Wall Street, which opened higher. Banks led the advance on hopes that there is truth in the rumours that European policy makers are set to drop the requirement for priva
Read moreThomas Cook may get £100m backing from banks
25th Nov 2011 13:33
Potless package tour operator Thomas Cook is reportedly close to getting another dollop of cash to tide it over the bleak mid-winter period. According to the London Evening Standard, the troubled FTSE 250 firm will survive though the Christmas period thanks to the support of its banks, which are se
Read moreFTSE 250 Movers: Christmas comes early for Thomas Cook
25th Nov 2011 13:23
Thomas Cook and market competitor TUI Travel were both on the up after it was reported that the cash-strapped Thomas Cook is set to survive though the Christmas period thanks to the support of its banks. According to speculation, the firm will recieve £100m to keep it afloat in the coming days. A
Read moreLondon midday: The only way is down
25th Nov 2011 11:38
London experienced a quiet morning, but the trend remained down, with the US market expected to open lower when it resumes trading today after yesterday's Thanksgiving Day holiday. US markets will close early today to enable traders to join the throngs of shoppers enjoying - or enduring - 'Black Fri
Read moreLondon open: Miners drag down Footsie
25th Nov 2011 09:01
With the US closed yesterday for the Thanksgiving Day holiday, London has no lead to follow in terms of market direction so it has resorted to its default setting of 'reverse'. Mining stocks are taking the low road as metal prices soften, and are taking the blue-chip index with them. The biggest b
Read moreLondon close: Retreat moves into ninth day
24th Nov 2011 17:12
After once again showing signs in the morning session of bringing the losing streak to an end, Footsie once again relapsed in the afternoon session, as investors took fright at German Chancellor Angela Merkel once again banging on about what a bad idea it would be to have common interest rates for a
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