FTSE 250 movers: Homeserve higher on strong winter trading, oil stocks and miners lower
27th Mar 2015 13:13
Homeserve was trading higher after a reassuring trading statement that revealed trading in its busy winter period had been "good" and in line with its full-year targets. Management was also pleased with levels of customer growth across the international businesses, having reported good customer numb
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: IPF higher on upgrade, oil stocks and miners lower
24th Mar 2015 14:15
Shares in International Personal Finance shot up after Berenberg Bank upgraded its rating on the stock to 'buy' from 'hold'. "While FX and regulatory fears are weighing on the shares, IPF is exposed to significant long-term growth opportunities," said Berenberg. Hospital group Spire Healthcare saw i
Read moreLondon close: FTSE 100 books new all-time highs to close above 7000
20th Mar 2015 16:52
Dovish central banks and fading worries about Greece exiting the Eurozone propelled the London market to record fresh all-time highs on Friday. At Friday's close, the FTSE 100 index stood strong at 7022.51, up 0.8% on the day, off a touch from its session high of 7024.21. "The FTSE 100's landmark m
Read moreFriday broker round-up
20th Mar 2015 15:33
Asos: Citi reiterates neutral. TSB Banking: Numis reiterates hold and 340p target. Aviva: Nomura reiterates buy and lifts target to 690p from 650p. WPP: Morgan Stanley reiterates buy and raises target to 1,625p from 1,400p. Tullow Oil: Barclays reiterates overweight and 550p target. William Hill
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: CRH higher on merger agreement, Next hit by downgrade
20th Mar 2015 12:53
CRH was the biggest gainer on the Footsie after building materials giants Lafarge and Holcim agreed upon terms for a merger. Shares in Tullow Oil surged after the West Africa-focused exploration outfit announced it had successfully negotiated for access to £450m in fresh financing. Morrison was als
Read moreLondon pre-open: CRH and TSB in focus
20th Mar 2015 07:44
The top flight index is being called to start the session higher by between six to seven points on a busy Friday morning in terms of news-flow. Somewhat unexpectedly, overnight Greece agreed to draw up new reforms to meet the requirements of its lenders. "The odds of a Greek exit have risen signifi
Read moreTullow's backers increase their financial committments
20th Mar 2015 07:24
Exploration outfit Tullow Oil has been granted access to increased financing to support its activities on more secure terms from lenders. Lenders' commitments under its six-monthly Reserve Based Lend (RBL) have been increased by $200m, while lenders have committed an additional $250m under the compa
Read moreLondon close: FTSE jumps 1.6% after business-friendly Budget, Fed meeting ahead
18th Mar 2015 16:41
Those expecting little market reaction to the Budget on Wednesday were probably left surprised, with stocks in the energy, financial, housing and consumer staples sectors leading the surge in London following George Osborne's statement. Dovish comments from Bank of England policymakers were also buo
Read moreSector movers: Oil stocks extend gains as Budget confirms North Sea tax breaks
18th Mar 2015 15:07
Confirmation by chancellor George Osborne of budgetary measures to ease the pain in the struggling oil industry gave energy producers and services stocks another big lift on Wednesday. The 2015 Budget, the last of the current parliament, revealed new tax allowances worth £1.3bn in total to stimulate
Read moreLondon close: Energy stocks lift markets ahead of Budget, as investors await Fed
17th Mar 2015 16:32
After dipping into the red around midday, UK stocks rallied into the close with the FTSE 100 finishing 0.5% higher on the back of decent gains in the oil sector ahead of Wednesday's Budget statement. Rumours about potential tax breaks for North Sea oil and gas producers were providing energy stocks
Read moreBudget preview: Osborne's expected pre-election pledges
17th Mar 2015 16:15
On Wednesday, George Osborne announces his pre-election Budget, with several industries expected to see major proposals to woo voters and businesses. The Chancellor will deliver his budget speech to the House of Commons at 12:30, around a week before parliament adjourns ahead of May's general electi
Read moreSector movers: Tax break hopes drive energy stocks higher ahead of UK Budget
17th Mar 2015 14:42
Hopes about tax breaks in the North Sea energy industry were providing stocks in the oil producing and services industry with a much-needed boost on Tuesday, even as the price of crude continued to tumble. Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, signalled that North Sea oil and gas produce
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: CRH lower on Holcim rejection, miners and energy stocks higher
17th Mar 2015 12:39
Building materials group CRH was extending losses after Holcim on Monday rejected the terms of its proposed tie-up with Lafarge. CRH is set to snap up €6.5bn of assets from the two European cements companies when they merge. Tesco shares were in the red, reversing from Monday, alongside Morrison, as
Read moreLondon midday: Energy stocks rise but FTSE pares gains ahead of Fed meeting
17th Mar 2015 11:39
Stocks in the oil and mining sectors were performing well on Tuesday morning, though gains for the wider market were erased by lunchtime as investors awaited the start of a Federal Reserve policy meeting. Weaker-than-expected economic data from Germany was also dampening sentiment, as European marke
Read moreLondon open: Sainsbury's and mining stocks bolster markets ahead of Fed
17th Mar 2015 08:49
UK stocks rose for the second straight day on Tuesday, helped by a strong performance on Asian markets overnight, ahead of the start of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting. The FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 6,839.30 early on, helped by decent gains from a host of stocks in the mining and energy s
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