Top analysts predict a poor 2010 for the UK November 30, 2009 AS THE end of the year approaches, strategists at the big investment banks start publishing their forecasts for 2010. Morgan Stanley analysts were the first off the mark, yesterday releasing a rather bleak set of predictions. Despite a brighter global outlook, the bank’s UK strategist Graham Secker thinks the domestic economy will experience a “Grim” [...]
BP’s fall takes fuel out of oil stocks but FTSE rises higher February 2, 2010 Britain’s top shares closed higher for the third straight session yesterday as miners and banks extended the previous day’s gains but BP dragged energy stocks lower with fourth-quarter results that missed expectations. The FTSE 100 was up 35.90 points, or 0.7 per cent at 5,283.31, after closing 1.1 per cent higher on Monday. Miners added [...]
StanChart is boosted by Asian growth October 29, 2009 STANDARD Chartered reported “good progress” in its third quarter trading update yesterday, but called for caution in the banking sector. The UK-based, Asian-focused bank said it had performed particularly strongly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its stock closed up 3.7 per cent at 1,537p after the bank’s announcement, giving it a market value [...]
Top bankers warn on the cost of new FSA powers November 17, 2009 Two top London bankers yesterday stepped up warnings that tightening regulatory rules on capital and bonuses too soon could stall economic recovery. HSBC chairman Stephen Green said that planned increases in capital ratios could “easily withdraw credit from the economy and cause a new credit crunch”. He added that “going over the top with risk-averse [...]
Drugmakers give FTSE a lift as investors bet on healthcare January 19, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index ended up 0.3 per cent yesterday, led by pharmaceuticals on hopes that US President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms could be hampered, while banks fell after results from US bank Citigroup. The FTSE 100 index rose 18.75 points to 5,513.14, extending Monday’s gains when the market rose 0.7 per cent. Pharmaceuticals echoed [...]
Banks and miners lift FTSE but retail shares take a dive January 14, 2010 STRENGTH in miners helped Britain’s top share index to a 0.5 per cent rise by yesterday’s close after soaring output figures from Rio Tinto boosted the sector, but retailers fell on weak trading updates. The FTSE 100 ended 24.72 points higher at 5,498.20 after falling for two days, pressured by China’s decision to tighten banks’ [...]
Sell-off in bank and mining shares rocks the FTSE 100 January 13, 2010 BRITAIN’S leading share index shed 0.5 per cent yesterday as weakness in commodity and banking issues countered gains in selected defensive stocks, reflecting fading risk appetite among some investors. At the close, the FTSE 100 was 25.23 points lower at 5,473.48, having lost 0.7 per cent on Tuesday following China’s decision to tighten banks’ reserve [...]
Disappointing results from Alcoa rock mining stocks January 12, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index closed 0.7 per cent lower yesterday as commodities and banks led the retreat over concerns that China’s move to tighten banks’ reserve requirements may slow global economic recovery. The FTSE 100 index closed down 39.36 points at 5,498.71, dropping back after hitting a 16-month intraday peak at 5,600.48 on Monday. China’s [...]
Dubai World to sell off overseas assets December 7, 2009 THE Dubai government has confirmed it will not sell any assets to help state-controlled Dubai World meet its debt repayments, while the company’s prize assets will be ring-fenced. The beleaguered conglomerate last week asked creditors for a six-month grace period while it restructured its $26bn (£15.5bn) debt pile. The payment standstill was announced on 25 [...]
Forget Dubai’s woes: Iran is the real risk November 29, 2009 BANKS have written down $3 trillion or so over the past couple of years. We should therefore keep the crisis that is engulfing Dubai in some sort of perspective. The total debts of the Dubai government are around $80bn and nobody is suggesting that more than a small proportion will need to be written off. [...]