March 31, 2011
European equities markets were lower Thursday on new data from the European Union’s statistics office showing that Eurozone inflation was up to 2.6 percent in March, from 2.4 percent last month, while separate data revealed that Portugal’s budget deficit was at 8.6 percent of the nation's gross domestic product last year. Additionally, Moody’s Investors Service said it could issue more credit rating cuts in the region, amplifying concerns about Europe’s debt ...
HSBC Holdings leads banks lower in London on Ireland bank news
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were lower Thursday on new data from the European Union’s statistics office showing that Eurozone inflation was up to 2.6 percent in March, from 2.4 percent last month, while separate data revealed that Portugal’s budget deficit was at 8.6 percent of the nation's gross domestic product last year. Additionally, Moody’s Investors Service said it could issue more credit rating cuts in the region, amplifying concerns about Europe’s debt ...
March 30, 2011
European equities markets were mostly higher, although some saw declines on continuing concerns about debt in the region. The FTSE 100 added 0.19 percent to 5,943.34 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.31 percent to 11,672.6. Retailers led declines on both the 100 and the 250 after consumer electronics retailer Dixons Retail (LSE: DXNS) said it won’t reach analyst estimates on weaker sales as consumer confidence declines. The four biggest losers ...
Dixons leads declines among London retailers
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mostly higher, although some saw declines on continuing concerns about debt in the region. The FTSE 100 added 0.19 percent to 5,943.34 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.31 percent to 11,672.6. Retailers led declines on both the 100 and the 250 after consumer electronics retailer Dixons Retail (LSE: DXNS) said it won’t reach analyst estimates on weaker sales as consumer confidence declines. The four biggest losers ...
March 29, 2011
European equities markets were mixed Tuesday after Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services downgraded Portugal’s debt from BBB to BBB minus and dropped Greece’s rating from BB plus to BB minus, resulting in a decline in banks across Europe. The FTSE 100 was up 0.47 percent to 5,932.17 in London, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.01 percent to 11,636.4. The best performance on the 100 came from hotels operator InterContinental Hotels Group (LSE: ...
InterContinental Hotels Group leads FTSE 100 higher
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mixed Tuesday after Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services downgraded Portugal’s debt from BBB to BBB minus and dropped Greece’s rating from BB plus to BB minus, resulting in a decline in banks across Europe. The FTSE 100 was up 0.47 percent to 5,932.17 in London, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.01 percent to 11,636.4. The best performance on the 100 came from hotels operator InterContinental Hotels Group (LSE: ...
March 28, 2011
European equities markets were mostly higher Monday, helped by new data from the United States, where the Commerce Department said that consumer spending rose 0.7 percent last month, more than expected, while the National Association of Realtors said that pending sales of existing homes added 2.1 percent. Also helping sentiment was the news that several officials of the US Federal Reserve have called for the possible end of the Fed’s stimulus ...
CPP Group leads insurance sector higher in London
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mostly higher Monday, helped by new data from the United States, where the Commerce Department said that consumer spending rose 0.7 percent last month, more than expected, while the National Association of Realtors said that pending sales of existing homes added 2.1 percent. Also helping sentiment was the news that several officials of the US Federal Reserve have called for the possible end of the Fed’s stimulus ...
March 25, 2011
Most European equities markets were higher Friday after the US Commerce Department revised last year’s fourth quarter growth up, saying that the US economy grew by 3.1 percent in the quarter rather than its early estimate of 2.8 percent growth. The FTSE 100 added 0.34 percent to 5,900.76 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.2 percent to 11,629.3. Software groups headed both gains and losses on the 100 as Invensys ...
Invensys adds 3.5 percent to lead gains on FTSE 100
by Elaine FreiMost European equities markets were higher Friday after the US Commerce Department revised last year’s fourth quarter growth up, saying that the US economy grew by 3.1 percent in the quarter rather than its early estimate of 2.8 percent growth. The FTSE 100 added 0.34 percent to 5,900.76 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.2 percent to 11,629.3. Software groups headed both gains and losses on the 100 as Invensys ...
March 24, 2011
European equities markets were higher Thursday, with gains coming as Portugal’s Prime Minister tendered his resignation after the parliament there rejected his budget plan, bringing the nation closer to a bailout by the European Union, although Portuguese officials continued to deny that they are getting ready to ask for the help that Greece and Ireland have already gotten. Additionally, Fitch Ratings cut Portugal’s credit rating to A minus, with some analysts ...
Kinfisher leads retailers higher as Deutsche Bank recommends sector
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were higher Thursday, with gains coming as Portugal’s Prime Minister tendered his resignation after the parliament there rejected his budget plan, bringing the nation closer to a bailout by the European Union, although Portuguese officials continued to deny that they are getting ready to ask for the help that Greece and Ireland have already gotten. Additionally, Fitch Ratings cut Portugal’s credit rating to A minus, with some analysts ...
March 23, 2011
European equities markets were higher Wednesday, although gains were modest for the most part. The FTSE 100 added 0.58 percent to 5,795.88 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.05 percent to 11,447.3. Miners led gains on both the 100 and the 250, with iron-ore miner Ferrexpo (LSE: FXPO) adding most in the sector as it was up 4.65 percent on the 250, while Kazakhmys (LSE: KAZ) was up 4.45 percent ...
Ferrexpo leads gains among miners
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were higher Wednesday, although gains were modest for the most part. The FTSE 100 added 0.58 percent to 5,795.88 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.05 percent to 11,447.3. Miners led gains on both the 100 and the 250, with iron-ore miner Ferrexpo (LSE: FXPO) adding most in the sector as it was up 4.65 percent on the 250, while Kazakhmys (LSE: KAZ) was up 4.45 percent ...
March 22, 2011
European equities markets were mostly lower Tuesday on concerns that the European Union will have difficulties solving debt troubles in the region, while rising oil prices on continuing worries about unrest in North Africa and the Middle East also pushed markets lower. The FTSE 100 was down 0.4 percent to 5,762.71 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.61 percent to 11,441.6 as the Office of National Statistics reported that consumer ...
Exillon Energy leads London energy sector higher
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mostly lower Tuesday on concerns that the European Union will have difficulties solving debt troubles in the region, while rising oil prices on continuing worries about unrest in North Africa and the Middle East also pushed markets lower. The FTSE 100 was down 0.4 percent to 5,762.71 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.61 percent to 11,441.6 as the Office of National Statistics reported that consumer ...
March 21, 2011
European equities markets saw gains Monday on better news concerning earthquake-damaged nuclear power plants in Japan and after US authorities said that its allies have full control over Libyan airspace. Officials said that no Libyan military jets have flown over that North African nation for two days, since the United States, France and the UK started flying missions over Libya after the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution last week ...
Vodafone, BT Group see gains on sale of T-Mobile USA to AT&T
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets saw gains Monday on better news concerning earthquake-damaged nuclear power plants in Japan and after US authorities said that its allies have full control over Libyan airspace. Officials said that no Libyan military jets have flown over that North African nation for two days, since the United States, France and the UK started flying missions over Libya after the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution last week ...
March 18, 2011
European equities markets were higher Friday after the G-7 group of nations agreed to intervene to weaken the Japanese yen and on the announcement of a cease-fire in Libya. Libya’s foreign minister announced the cease-fire shortly after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution approving any action necessary short of foreign troops on the ground in the North African nation to protect the safety of civilians there, with approved actions ...
National Grid leads utilities, FTSE 100 higher in London
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were higher Friday after the G-7 group of nations agreed to intervene to weaken the Japanese yen and on the announcement of a cease-fire in Libya. Libya’s foreign minister announced the cease-fire shortly after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution approving any action necessary short of foreign troops on the ground in the North African nation to protect the safety of civilians there, with approved actions ...
March 17, 2011
European equities markets were higher Thursday, with gains coming on hopes that an emergency meeting of finance ministers from the G-7 nations will help soothe nervous investors worried about the economic effects of last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the ongoing nuclear crisis triggered by the disaster. The FTSE 100 added 1.75 percent to 5,696.11 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 1.84 percnet to 11,236.4. Chipmaker ARM Holdings ...
ARM Holdings adds 5.85 percent in London
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were higher Thursday, with gains coming on hopes that an emergency meeting of finance ministers from the G-7 nations will help soothe nervous investors worried about the economic effects of last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the ongoing nuclear crisis triggered by the disaster. The FTSE 100 added 1.75 percent to 5,696.11 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 1.84 percnet to 11,236.4. Chipmaker ARM Holdings ...
March 16, 2011
European equities markets were lower again Wednesday, with declines coming on concerns that conditions in Japan will worsen on reports that the containment vessel at a unit of the Fukushima nuclear power plant may have been breached, which could result in the release of more radiation into the atmosphere. Also hurting markets was a report from the US Commerce Department that US housing starts were down by 22.5 percent in February, ...
Standard Life leads insurers, FTSE 100 lower
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were lower again Wednesday, with declines coming on concerns that conditions in Japan will worsen on reports that the containment vessel at a unit of the Fukushima nuclear power plant may have been breached, which could result in the release of more radiation into the atmosphere. Also hurting markets was a report from the US Commerce Department that US housing starts were down by 22.5 percent in February, ...
March 15, 2011
European equities markets were lower Tuesday on concerns about nuclear contamination after Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned that the danger of larger radiation leaks at the Fukushima nuclear power plant is growing, asking those within 30 km (19 miles) of the plant, damaged in Friday’s earthquake, to remain inside their homes. There have been three explosions and a fire at the nuclear power facility since a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami ...
National Grid leads London utilities lower
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were lower Tuesday on concerns about nuclear contamination after Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned that the danger of larger radiation leaks at the Fukushima nuclear power plant is growing, asking those within 30 km (19 miles) of the plant, damaged in Friday’s earthquake, to remain inside their homes. There have been three explosions and a fire at the nuclear power facility since a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami ...