London close: End of road for winning run
21st Sep 2009 16:21
London's six-day rally ended Monday after banks were sold on fundraising talks and as miners retreated on weaker metal prices. Part-nationalised lender Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was the biggest faller on reports it is mulling a share issue of between £3-4bn to reduce its dependence on the UK gov
Read moreLondon afternoon: RBS's rights plans disappoint
21st Sep 2009 14:26
Share prices are drifting lower as investors take stock following the market's recent strong run. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is lower on reports that it is mulling a share issue of between £3-4bn to reduce its dependence on the UK government's toxic asset protection scheme (APS). Lloyds confirmed
Read moreLondon midday: Miners in a hole
21st Sep 2009 12:24
Investors took an opportunity to bank profits in what has been a quiet session for news, with miners wearing the worst of the losses. Weaker metal prices have Fresnillo, Xstrata, Kazakhmys, Vedanta and Rio Tinto deep in the red. Even Antofagasta is lower now despite a positive note from Goldman Sac
Read moreDealings round-up: BlueBay duo cash in
18th Sep 2009 17:26
Two directors of BlueBay today took advantage of the recent tripling in its share price to trim their holdings in the fixed income fund manager. A secondary placing of shares saw Nick Williams, Chief Financial Officer, sell 1m shares and Alex Khein, Chief Operating Officer dispose of 2m shares. Th
Read moreLondon close: Footsie winning streak continues
18th Sep 2009 16:38
London's rising streak continued but it was a bit of a struggle with the absence of economic news and a flat start on Wall Street keeping activity at low levels. Banks provided what little excitement there was, with Lloyds Banking, RBS, HSBC and Barclays the most widely traded blue-chips, with the
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Kingfisher up on price upgrade
18th Sep 2009 14:22
The cost environment for 2010 for DIY retailer Kingfisher looks relatively benign, according to broker Nomura Securities, and this should support earnings. The broker reckons increased visibility in respect of Kingfisher's Polish and Chinese activities indicates 'the group may be on track for furt
Read moreLondon afternoon: Shares remain becalmed
18th Sep 2009 13:28
Banks are providing what little excitement there is in the market today, with Lloyds Banking, RBS, HSBC and Barclays the most widely traded blue-chip, with the exception of Vodafone. Despite the number of shares changing hands part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is little changed, down less
Read moreLondon midday: Shares lack direction
18th Sep 2009 12:23
Leading shares still lack direction with the constituents of the FTSE 100 virtually evenly divided between risers and fallers while the index itself is little changed. Part-nationalised bank Lloyds Banking Group is attracting plenty of comment after it confirmed it is in talks with the government
Read moreLondon close: Blue chips post useful gains
17th Sep 2009 16:42
A better than expected start on Wall Street helped London post more gains by the close. Balfour Beatty was the best performer with the shares roaring ahead on plans to acquire Parsons Brinckerhoff, a US consultancy business. A rights issue to raise about £350m will fund the deal. Ian Tyler, Balfou
Read moreLondon afternoon: Holding onto gains
17th Sep 2009 14:16
London is still in the blue but off its best with futures pointing towards a flat start on Wall Street. British Airways has been the blue-chip stock to own in the third quarter of 2009 with its share price virtually doubling since the beginning of July. The shares get another lift today from Goldma
Read moreBroker tips: British Airways, Tullow Oil, Unite
17th Sep 2009 13:03
The share price of British Airways has almost doubled since the beginning of July but broker Goldman Sachs says there is still time for investors to get on board. The US investment bank has added the British airline to its 'conviction buy' list, and suggested that despite the strong gains already
Read moreBroker snap: Tullow to be transformed by big discoveries
17th Sep 2009 12:54
It's a case of 'another day, another major oil discovery' for Irish oil company Tullow Oil which has announced two important finds this week that Panmure Gordon thinks have the ability to transform the outlook for the company. Following on from Monday's announcement about the discovery on the Venus
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Balfour boosted by deal news
17th Sep 2009 12:22
Balfour Beatty, the construction group, tops the risers today after it announced a rights issue of up to £353m to fund the acquisition of Parsons Brinckerhoff, a US consultancy business. The Parsons Brinckerhoff acquisition is conditional on shareholder approval and the completion of the rights is
Read moreLondon midday: Traders get on board British Airways
17th Sep 2009 12:08
Risers outnumber fallers among FTSE 100 constituents by around three to one as London's strong run continues, despite flat retail sales in August. British Airways has been the blue-chip stock to own in the third quarter of 2009 with its share price virtually doubling since the beginning of July. T
Read moreLondon open: Rise continues
17th Sep 2009 08:15
Miners are giving London's blue chips a boost in early dealings, while Tullow Oil gained on the second oil find in as many days. Fresnillo, Kazakhmys, Antofagasta, Lonmin and Xstrata are all among the top performers. Tullow Oil gained after announcing the discovery of a significant oil field at N
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