Sector movers: Mining and oil stocks drop as ECB holds off on stimulus
4th Dec 2014 15:09
Cyclical sectors such as mining and oil were the worst performers of the day on Thursday as the wider stock market weakened in the absence of stimulus measures from the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB held off from making a move at its meeting, saying instead that it would look at injecting sti
Read moreBroker tips: Oil stocks, IHG, Vodafone, Balfour Beatty
1st Dec 2014 12:30
A continued drop in oil prices was weighing heavily on the exploration and production sector again on Monday, with stocks dampened further after a number of ratings downgrades by US broker JPMorgan Cazenove. The bank has cut its recommendations for UK-listed Afren (from 'overweight' to 'underweight'
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks on track for two-week low as factory data disappoints
1st Dec 2014 11:28
UK stocks dropped on Monday and were set to close at their lowest level in over two weeks as disappointing economic data and weaker oil prices pushed shares in the resource sectors lower. Aberdeen Asset Management was a standout riser after impressing with its annual results, but oil producers and m
Read moreOil stocks continue to slide as JPMorgan downgrades ratings
1st Dec 2014 11:26
A continued drop in oil prices was weighing heavily on the exploration and production (E&P) sector again on Monday, with stocks dampened further after a number of ratings downgrades by US broker JPMorgan Cazenove. The bank has cut its recommendations for UK-listed Afren (from 'overweight' to 'underw
Read moreLondon open: Resource stocks drag FTSE 100 to lowest in over two weeks
1st Dec 2014 08:33
The UK stock market started the new week on the back foot after yet more disappointing economic data from China dampened sentiment, with shares in the mining and oil sectors falling sharply. The official purchasing managers index (PMI) for China came in below expectations at an eight-month low, addi
Read moreLondon close: Rising travel and retail stocks offset losses from energy sector
28th Nov 2014 16:26
A slight recovery in oil prices wasn't enough to ease the pressure on the energy sector on Friday, though stocks in London erased losses by the end of trade as shares in the travel and retail sectors jumped. "Clearly firms with a focus on consumer spending will be indirect beneficiaries of increase
Read moreLondon midday: Crude stabilises but oil stocks continue to slide
28th Nov 2014 11:43
The UK stock market dropped on Friday as shares in the energy sector dropped after the recent slump in crude on concerns about a global oversupply of oil. Oil producers and energy services stocks were extending losses made the previous session with crude prices set to register their steepest weekly
Read moreLondon open: FTSE 100 falls as energy stocks extend losses after OPEC meeting
28th Nov 2014 08:41
Despite already having plunged the previous session, stocks in the energy sector were under further selling pressure on Friday in the aftermath of the OPEC meeting, pushing the FTSE 100 firmly into the red. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided on Thursday not to scale back their
Read moreSector movers: Oil stocks tank as OPEC reportedly maintains target, crude extends losses
27th Nov 2014 14:36
Concerns about falling oil prices hammered stocks in the energy sector on Thursday, with shares extending losses on reports that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OEPC) has held off from scaling back production at its meeting in Vienna. Brent futures for January delivery were down 3
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE flat as energy shares slump ahead of OPEC meeting
27th Nov 2014 11:33
Heavy falls in the energy sector kept a lid on gains for the FTSE 100 on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of a pivotal meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna. London's benchmark index was up just 0.06% at 6,733 by midday. The index has traded broadly s
Read moreLondon open: Investors await pivotal OPEC meeting, Brent drops
27th Nov 2014 09:12
The UK stock market opened flat on Thursday as investors awaited a jam-packed day full of economic data, policymaker speeches and a pivotal meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). London's FTSE 100 index was down 0.1% at 6,722 in early deals. While US markets will be cl
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks finish flat as retailers fall, data comes in mixed
25th Nov 2014 16:33
London's FTSE 100 ended Tuesday's session more or less where it started with stocks in the retail sector limiting gains while investors digested a string of important economic data. A disappointing third-quarter update from Kingfisher saw shares in the DIY retailer slump, while the supermarket secto
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks rise but gains limited by Kingfisher, resource stocks
25th Nov 2014 11:31
UK stocks edged higher on Tuesday, though gains were being limited by falls in the heavyweight resources sector and a drop in the share price of DIY retailer Kingfisher. The FTSE 100 trading 0.1% higher at 6,737 by midday, though was underperforming stocks across Europe with the STOXX Europe 600 ind
Read moreLondon open: Oil and mining stocks limit gains on FTSE
25th Nov 2014 08:22
Falling oil and mining stocks and a poorly-received update from Kingfisher were limiting gains on the FTSE 100 on Tuesday morning, as investors awaited a wave of global economic data. London's benchmark index was trading just 0.1% higher at 6,737 within the opening hour. The Footsie had dropped 0.3
Read moreLondon close: Hopes of Chinese and European economic stimulus lift stocks
21st Nov 2014 16:17
A surprise cut in Chinese interest rates and hints about quantitative easing in Europe put London traders in a bullish mood on Friday. The People's Bank of China cheered markets by reducing its one-year benchmark lending rate by 40 basis points to 5.6% to lift an economy on course for its slowest an
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