FTSE 100 closes down as Sports Direct struggles – London Report December 11, 2015 Gains for Glencore couldn’t keep the FTSE 100 up last night as both Sports Direct and Old Mutual fell hard. The index closed 0.63 per cent down at 6,088. Sports Direct slumped after Mike Ashley’s retailer posted poor first-half results and the company was criticised for staff conditions. Group revenue ticking up 0.1 per cent [...]
The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund had its worst year since 2011 last year, but managed to avoid negative returns March 9, 2016 The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund has returned 2.7 per cent on its investments in 2015 thanks to a rally in equities late in the year. The low oil price and slowing emerging markets dragged on returns however, meaning the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund recorded its weakest performance since 2011. The oil fund, managed by [...]
FTSE 100 hovers close to 6,000 after Bank of Japan unveils shock interest rate cut January 29, 2016 The FTSE briefly edged above 6,000 points again this morning as investors cheered a shock decision by the Japanese central bank to cut one of its main interest rates to negative. The bank cut its benchmark rate to -0.1 per cent, effectively meaning it will charge lenders interest for excessive reserves parked in its coffers. The news caused Japanese [...]
Another Anglo American asset sale: Troubled miner sells off Callide coal mine in Australia January 20, 2016 Troubled Anglo American has sold another Australian mine to weather the deepening commodities crisis which has struck it hard. Having shed over 84 per cent of its value in the past two years, the FTSE 100-listed miner is now selling its entire stake in the Callide thermal coal mine in Queensland, its second Australian asset [...]
FTSE 100 index opens ahead of US jobs data as miners’ share prices continue to rise February 5, 2016 The FTSE 100 index opened higher this morning ahead of the publication of US jobs data, which investors will be eyeing for signs of when the Federal Reserve will next raise interest rates. The UK's blue-chip index was 0.52 per cent up at 5,931 points in mid-morning trading, as miners recouped losses made when the market [...]
Glencore in debt for equity swap with Russneft March 11, 2015 Mining firm Glencore is finalising a purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Russian oil refinery firm Russneft. The companies are preparing a deal to convert $900m (£604m) of debt into equity, which will see Glencore take on a 49 per cent holding in the producing side of the Russian firm. Glencore, which is [...]
FTSE 100 index closes flat on last day of the month as supermarkets come into focus February 29, 2016 The FTSE 100 index closed slightly higher on the quiet last day of the month after the G20 disappointed over the weekend. The UK's blue-chip index closed 0.02 per cent higher at 6,097 points. "It was almost as if investors forgot about the leap day and no investments were planned on a quiet last day of the month," said [...]
Mining sector burning through cash reserves after commodity price crash February 8, 2016 The value of cash held by London Stock Exchange-listed mining companies fell by £1.1bn in the last year, according to research released today by Banc De Binary. The findings show a fall in cash reserves across all LSE-listed mining companies from £24.3bn to £23.2bn over the last 12 months. A drop of £780m was recorded in [...]
US WTI crude oil below $27 as MSCI’s benchmark global stock index enters bear market territory January 20, 2016 US crude oil dipped below $27 per barrel today, while the MSCI's benchmark global stock index fell into a bear market. West Texas Intermediate crude, the US benchmark, slumped 5.73 per cent to $26.83 per barrel. And Brent, the global benchmark, shed 4.35 per cent to $27.51. Concern over lower for even longer oil prices have dominated Davos, an annual meeting [...]
FTSE 100 index opens higher as miners extend gains December 23, 2015 A dead cat bounce by miners yesterday has been extended, leading the FTSE to a strong opening on a shortened week of trading. The UK's blue-chip index opened 1.03 per cent higher at 6,145 points, led by Anglo American and Glencore. Anglo American opened 3.59 per cent higher at 307.83p per share, while Glencore rose 4.25 per [...]