FTSE 100 movers: HSBC soars on potential high street spin-off, house builders lower
27th Apr 2015 13:27
HSBC surged as reports emerged that it may spin-off its UK high street banking business, ahead of a review of its headquarters' location. Asia-facing bank Standard Chartered, also situated in London, rose on speculation it could follow suit with a move out of the capital. Prudential was making gain
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks erase losses after UK deficit revision, but gains limited
23rd Apr 2015 12:06
London's stocks had erased losses by Thursday lunchtime though upside was limited as investors showed caution following a raft of mostly disappointing global economic data. The FTSE 100, which had dropped to a low of 6,995.79 in mid-morning trade, was broadly flat (+0.02%) at 7,029.97 by midday. Re
Read moreLondon open: Stocks fall as Chinese and Eurozone PMIs miss forecasts
23rd Apr 2015 08:47
UK stocks inched lower on Thursday morning after purchasing managers' index (PMI) data from both China and Europe disappointed. The FTSE 100 was down 0.13% at 7,018.93 within the opening hour, with ex-dividend stocks keeping the index in the red. Overnight, a HSBC survey showed that Chinese manufac
Read moreTaylor Wimpey buoyed by housing market resilience ahead of elections
23rd Apr 2015 08:04
UK housebuilder Taylor Wimpey delivered a bullish statement to the market on Thursday, saying that a strong economy has prompted an upbeat start to the spring selling season. The company said that customer confidence and housing demand still remains good despite uncertainty ahead of the general elec
Read moreThursday preview: Taylor Wimpey and William Hill report
22nd Apr 2015 16:10
Taylor Wimpey is expected to reveal strong sales in the year to date when the housebuilder publishes its trading update on Thursday. Sales in the housing market so far this year have been supported by news of the extension of the Help to Buy scheme. Fellow housebuilder Persimmon last week posted a 7
Read moreUtilities, rail operators most exposed to UK election, Fitch says
17th Apr 2015 10:27
Utilities and rail companies are among the corporate sectors most at risk from regulatory or government policy shifts following the upcoming UK general election on 7 May, according to Fitch Ratings. With the Conservative Party having frozen rail fares, and Labour pledging to freeze energy prices if
Read moreLondon close: UK stocks set a new record high despite growth concerns
10th Apr 2015 16:32
London's FTSE 100 surged to a new all-time high on Friday, topping a previous peak reached two weeks ago, despite concerns about a slowdown in UK economic growth. The Footsie finished 74.41 points higher, rising 1.06% to a fresh record of 7,089.77, helped by gains from Shire, Aberdeen, ITV and a hos
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks shrug off weak data as FTSE closes in on new record
10th Apr 2015 11:44
Weaker-than-expected UK data wasn't enough to stop shares from advancing on Friday, as decent gains in the housebuilding sector pushed the FTSE 100 back towards its record high. The Footsie was up 0.36% at 7,040.54 by midday. The index's previous closing high of 7,037.67 was set on 23 March, while
Read moreBroker tips: Housing stocks, Reckitt Benckiser, Majestic Wine
10th Apr 2015 11:34
Housebuilders were putting in decent gains on Friday as Jefferies upgraded ratings for stocks across the sector after recent data pointed to a stronger pre-election housing market than anticipated. The broker raised Bellway, Bovis Homes, Countrywide, Crest Nicholson, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Zoopla
Read moreHousing stocks jump as Jefferies turns more positive on sector
10th Apr 2015 09:28
Housebuilders were putting in decent gains on Friday as Jefferies upgraded ratings for stocks across the sector, saying that companies have "springs in their steps". The broker raised Bellway, Bovis Homes, Countrywide, Crest Nicholson, Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Zoopla from 'hold' to 'buy'. Barratt D
Read moreLondon open: UK stocks near record highs as housebuilders rise
10th Apr 2015 08:33
UK stocks were on track to hit a new record on Friday, helped by strong gains in the housebuilding sector. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.46% at 7,047.39 shortly after the open. The index's previous closing high of 7,037.67 was set on 23 March, while the intraday record of 7,065.08 was set on 24 March.
Read moreSector Movers: Real estate and housebuilders in the green, but tobacco takes a hit
19th Mar 2015 14:35
The UK 2015 Budget continues to impact market sentiment as real estate and housebuilding stocks followed oil and gas services companies in posting an uptick in performance. In his final budget before the General Election on May 7, Chancellor George Osborne announced a series of measures considered t
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 moreFTSE 100 movers: Standard Chartered surges on upgrades, miners lower
18th Mar 2015 12:58
Shares in Standard Chartered surged after analysts at Barclays and Bernstein raised their ratings, highlighting the recent appointment of a former JPMorgan banker as its new boss. Barclays lifted their stance from 'equal weight' to 'overweight', while Bernstein upgraded by two notches from 'underper
Read moreLondon open: Stocks rise ahead of UK Budget, Fed decision
18th Mar 2015 08:46
London stocks advanced on Wednesday morning, rising for a third straight day, as investors took a bullish approach ahead of the hotly-anticipated UK Budget and Federal Reserve policy decision. The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.3% at 6,859.81 in early deals. The market reaction to chancellor George Osbo
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