London rises to highest close in 3 weeks on Dubai bailout December 14, 2009 BRITAIN’S top share index closed at its highest level in a week yesterday, led by banks, after Abu Dhabi bailed out Dubai with $10bn in surprise aid, with commodities stocks also notching up solid gains. The FTSE 100 closed up 53.77 points at 5,315.34, its highest close since 4 December, adding to a rise the [...]
FTSEdrops as windfall tax worries offset mining gains December 7, 2009 Britain’s top shares ended 0.2 per cent lower yesterday, with banks weak on concerns over a possible windfall tax, offsetting modest gains in miners and energy stocks which rebounded from earlier losses. The FTSE 100 closed 11.70 points lower at 5,310.66 points, paring some losses from earlier in the session when the index dropped to [...]
Rio and BHP seal deal December 6, 2009 MINING giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto shook hands on their proposed $116bn (£67.8bn) iron ore tie-up over the weekend, putting paid to reports that competition bodies would interfere with the deal. The agreement, which is expected to produce synergies of $10bn, has been a bone of much contention for Chinese customers, who say it [...]
A gripping drive December 1, 2009 THE LAST time I drove a Civic Type R, I found the ride quite brutal. So I have to admit to being slightly wary of having this one to test on UK roads, but it had to be done, because just 20 of them are destined for the whole of Europe. First things first, this [...]
THE LONDON REPORT November 30, 2009 BRITAIN’S leading share index shed 1.1 per cent yesterday, ending at session lows, dragged back by weakness in oil majors and banks on lingering anxiety over the impact of Dubai’s debt problems. By the close, the FTSE 100 was down 55.05 points at 5,190.68, its lowest closing level for three weeks. The blue chip index [...]
BHPchairman says talks with Rio are still on track November 26, 2009 DON ARGUS, chairman at mining giant BHP Billiton, said yesterday the company’s proposed iron ore tie-up with Rio Tinto was progressing and dismissed suggestions talks could fall apart. At the group’s annual meeting in Australia he said he was optimistic because “while we believe the global recovery will be sluggish, we also continue to believe [...]
Concern over Dubai’s debts takes toll on Britain’s shares November 26, 2009 Britain’s top shares ended at a three-week closing low yesterday, pressured by hefty falls in the banking sector as concerns over Dubai’s ability to pay its debts took a toll on confidence. The FTSE 100 ended down 3.2 per cent, or 170.68 points, at 5,194.13, its lowest close since November 6, and losses on the [...]
European shares in 3.3 per cent slump November 26, 2009 European shares slipped 3.3 per cent yesterday to record their biggest one-day percentage drop in seven months as concerns about debt problems in Dubai weighed on the market, with banks the major fallers. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares closed down 33.81 points at 988.14 – its lowest close in three weeks. “The [...]
THE LONDON REPORT November 25, 2009 A flurry of US economic data and a rebound in metals prices helped push Britain’s top share index to a higher close yesterday, with Compass Group topping the blue-chip gainers list after results. The FTSE 100 ended up 40.85 points, or 0.8 per cent at 5,364.81, following a 0.6 per cent decline on Tuesday. Miners [...]
Best of British November 24, 2009 I’M CURRENTLY feeling like a WAG. To clarify, this is purely down to my current motor, and not because I’ve hooked up with a Chelsea striker. You see I’m driving around in a Bentley (times are hard). I haven’t been in one for a long time and I’ve always associated them with elder statesmen, people [...]