Some good news in a gloomy world February 10, 2011 BRITAIN is losing market share in global investment banking, retail banking and private equity – and has been hammered especially badly in hedge funds and energy trading, where firms and people have upped sticks to Switzerland. But it is not all grim for the City. Two areas that are still doing well are foreign exchange [...]
London shops boom but UK sales stutter July 18, 2010 LONDON shops enjoyed June sales 14.4 per cent higher than a year ago, according to research out today. The shopping boom far outstrips the rest of the UK, where like-for-like growth was just 1.2 per cent, and represents the strongest sales growth in the capital since October 2006. Research by KPMG and the British Retail [...]
FTSE rises after upbeat Wolseley results outweigh bank dips and debt worries March 29, 2011 THE FTSE 100 rose moderately in light trade yesterday with support from miners and upbeat results from Wolseley outpacing falls in banks on European debt worries. The FTSE 100 climbed 27.68 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 5,932.17. The index regained more than 3 per cent the previous week following losses sparked by the earthquake [...]
London misses rates ballot December 14, 2010 RETAILERS across the UK will be balloted on whether they want to pay extra on their business rates to help bankroll local projects – but London has missed out because a rate has already been imposed. The government – under pressure from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) – has made it a legal requirement for rate-setting local [...]
Bullish brokers boost banks as energy and mining stocks sag March 28, 2011 BULLISH broker comment helped push the banking sector higher yesterday, as Britain’s top share index neared key technical resistance levels after its recent rally, with commodity stocks weighing on the upside. The FTSE 100 closed 3.73 points, or 0.1 per cent, higher at 5,904.49, near its 50-day moving average of 5,933.83. The index has traded [...]
Bullish brokers boost banks as energy and mining stocks sag March 28, 2011 BULLISH broker comment helped push the banking sector higher yesterday, as Britain’s top share index neared key technical resistance levels after its recent rally, with commodity stocks weighing on the upside. The FTSE 100 closed 3.73 points, or 0.1 per cent, higher at 5,904.49, near its 50-day moving average of 5,933.83. The index has traded [...]
What the other papers say this morning February 28, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES ITALIAN BANKS GO FOR GOLD IN MOVE TO TRANSFORM CORE CAPITAL RATIOS Italian banks think they may have struck gold as they seek to add lustre to balance sheets ahead of the summer stress tests. The lenders, which are shareholders in the central bank, are lobbying for their stakes to be marked to [...]
FTSE falls below 6,000 level as Middle East woes weigh February 22, 2011 BRITAIN’S top share index closed lower yesterday as troubles in the Middle East clouded sentiment, but bumper consumer confidence figures from the US spurred a late rally and boosted commodity stocks. The FTSE 100 closed down 18.04 points or 0.3 per cent lower at 5,996.76, having finished at a two-week closing low on Monday. “The [...]
Retailers boost recovery hopes February 7, 2011 Spending on the UK’s high streets bounced back in January after December’s sales were hit by heavy snow, it will be revealed today. The news comes after the FTSE jumped 53.65 points yesterday – a rise of 0.89 per cent – breaking through the confidence-boosting 6,000 mark to close at 6,051.03. Retail sales were up [...]
CANADA’S STRONG ECONOMY OPENS ITSELF UP TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT February 15, 2011 HEAD OF PRODUCT, BARCLAYS STOCKBROKERS Last week, the London Stock Exchange struck a deal with TMX Group, the operator of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The deal looks likely to reduce costs for users, offer greater levels of liquidity and provide broader access to mining and natural resources stocks. For investors, this is particularly attractive at [...]