Utilities, 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 open: FTSE pulls back from all-time high as mining stocks decline
13th Apr 2015 08:22
London's FTSE 100 retreated from a fresh record on Monday morning as investors took profits ahead of a busy week for global financial markets, with shares in the mining sector in particular under pressure. The Footsie was trading 0.24% lower at 7,072.78 early on after settling at a new all-time clos
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 moreLondon close: UK stocks fall for fourth day as mining shares tank
27th Mar 2015 17:04
UK stocks extended their losing streak into the fourth day on Friday as a sell-off in iron ore and a stronger dollar hit share prices in the mining sector. London's resource-heavy FTSE 100 finished the session down 40.31 points (-0.58%) at 6,855.02 as it continued its retreat from the record closing
Read moreFriday broker round-up
27th Mar 2015 16:29
Aviva: Jefferies reiterates buy and ups target to 630p from 608p. RBS: UBS keeps at neutral and trims target to 375p from 386p. ITV: Exane reiterates add and lifts target to 288p from 267p. Wolseley: Exane reiterates underperform and lowers target to 2,660p from 2,730p. Hunting: JP Morgan Cazenov
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Carnival lifted by strong results, airline stocks rebound
27th Mar 2015 13:12
Carnival topped the risers as strong first-quarter results prompted a lift in full year earnings guidance. It boasted that advance bookings for the remainder of 2015 were steaming ahead of the prior year and at higher prices. "We are experiencing an on-going improvement in underlying fundamentals ba
Read moreLondon midday: UK stocks continue to retreat as miners fall
27th Mar 2015 11:38
Mining stocks led UK equity markets lower on Friday as the pull-back from recent records continued, with little in the way of corporate or economic news to drive sentiment. After a 1.4% drop on Thursday, the FTSE 100 was down a further 0.3% at 6,873.30 by midday. London's blue chip index has now fa
Read moreLondon open: Mining stocks drag FTSE 100 lower for fourth day
27th Mar 2015 08:30
UK stocks declined for a fourth straight day on Friday morning as the FTSE 100 continued to pull back from recent all-time highs. The Footsie was down 0.1% at 6,888.66 in early deals with mining stocks among the worst performers. London's blue chip index has continued to fall after hitting a new rec
Read moreLondon pre-open: Flat start for FTSE expected after sell-off
27th Mar 2015 07:34
London's blue chips were set for a subdued start on Friday as investors pause for breath following a sell-off the previous session. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open broadly flat on Thursday's close of 6,895.33 after dropping 1.4%. The index has fallen for the last three sessions after hi
Read moreBarratt Developments CEO steps down, to be replaced by CFO
27th Mar 2015 07:25
Barratt Developments chief executive Mark Clare has stepped down after nine years in the role, to be replaced by finance director David Thomas, who has been with the company for six years. Clare will leave the housebuilder on 1 July, leaving the group in a strong position, with recent interim profit
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 more