London 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 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 moreLondon pre-open: Small retreat expected after Tuesday's record highs
25th Feb 2015 07:49
UK markets were expected to pull back slightly on Wednesday as investors tread cautiously following the new all-time highs reached the previous session. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around eight points lower than Tuesday's record close of 6,949.63. The index also reached a new intrada
Read moreBarratt Developments delivers interims outperformance in spades
25th Feb 2015 07:08
Making the most of the strong housing market, housebuilder Barratt Developments has delivered first-half profits up over 70%, well ahead of expectations, as the its disciplined approach to growth paid off in spades. Revenues rose 24.6% to £1.58bn in the six months to end-December, with a moderation
Read moreSector movers: Redrow and Reckitt give household sector a lift
11th Feb 2015 14:51
Well-received results from builder Redrow and consumer products group Reckitt Benckiser meant the household goods and home construction sector was the best performer in London on Wednesday. Redrow's share price had surged over 12% to 333p by the afternoon session after the company impressed with a s
Read moreLondon pre-open: Sell-off expected as crude prices fall, World Bank cuts forecasts
14th Jan 2015 07:53
A continued slump in oil prices and concerns about global growth are expected to weigh heavily on UK stock markets on Wednesday. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 70 points lower than Tuesday's close of 6,542.20. Brent crude was down a further 1.7% at $45.80 a barrel ahead of US go
Read moreBarratt Developments eyes 'significant' year as pipeline nears six-year high
14th Jan 2015 07:34
Following updates from several housebuilders since the start of the year, Barratt Developments followed suit and reported a strong performance in the six months to the end of December, saying it was on track for another "significant improvement" in its financial performance for the full year. The FT
Read moreWednesday preview: Barratt Developments update and US retail sales in focus
13th Jan 2015 15:28
Housing group Barratt Developments reports its half-year trading update amid signs of a cool down in the UK property market. Numis said investors are likely to focus on the company's assessment of market conditions, with particular emphasis on London where Barratt is one of the biggest developers.
Read moreLondon midday: Retailers rise, housebuilders boosted as UK inflation rate drops
13th Jan 2015 12:08
A sharp drop in the UK inflation rate and well-received updates from a number of Britain's retailers gave London stocks a boost on Tuesday. The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.6% at 6,539 just after midday with retailers and housebuilders offsetting ongoing weakness in the resources sector. Markets were
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Supermarket stocks pull back after strong surge
9th Jan 2015 13:47
Supermarket stocks were under pressure on Friday, with Tesco in particular pulling back after a 15% surge the previous session, following the announcement of its turnaround plan and resilient Christmas sales. Dampening Tesco's shares was the news that ratings agency Moody's had cut the UK grocer'
Read moreBroker tips: AstraZeneca, Laird, Housing stocks, Oil prices
9th Jan 2015 11:43
AstraZeneca's drug pipeline is still "under-appreciated", according to UBS which hiked its target price for the stock by 10% on Friday. The bank said it sees a number of "blockbuster opportunities" for the pharmaceutical group in the near term, as it lifted its target for the shares from 5,000p to 5
Read moreLondon midday: Weak UK production data dampens stocks ahead of US jobs report
9th Jan 2015 11:35
Disappointing UK economic data and nervousness ahead of a key labour-market report in the States sent London's FTSE 100 lower on Friday morning, as stocks pulled back after a surge the previous session. By around lunchtime, the Footsie was trading nearly 0.7% lower at 6,527 with weakness among super
Read moreLondon open: Markets slip ahead of US data, supermarkets and housebuilders fall
9th Jan 2015 09:06
UK stocks endured a subdued start on Friday morning following a huge jump the previous session as markets paused for breath ahead of the pivotal US jobs report. The FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 6,554 early on, with supermarket stocks pulling back after a strong rally and housebuilders hit by some negat
Read moreHousebuilders suffer as brokers downgrade on valuations grounds
9th Jan 2015 08:56
Broker Jefferies was one of several to cut ratings on almost all the homebuilders, with Barratt Developments, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes and others downgraded on the view that valuations were becoming too stretched. There has been a steady decline in mortgage approvals in recent months, w
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks trim gains ahead of early finish on NYE
31st Dec 2014 11:25
UK stocks had pared gains by midday but were still trading marginally in positive territory heading into the close on a shortened New Year's Eve session. The FTSE 100 was up 0.05% at 6,551 by noon on the last trading day of the year, but looks set to finish December down 2.6% - its worst December in
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