April 15, 2011
European equities markets were mixed Friday as US consumer confidence was up in a new survey, but gains were limited on new economic data from China showed that inflation grew more than expected last month and Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on Ireland’s bonds from Baa1 to Baa3 with a negative outlook. The FTSE 100 was up 0.54 percent to 5,996.01 in London, while the FTSE 250 added 0.66 percent ...
Dixons Retail leads London retail sector higher
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mixed Friday as US consumer confidence was up in a new survey, but gains were limited on new economic data from China showed that inflation grew more than expected last month and Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on Ireland’s bonds from Baa1 to Baa3 with a negative outlook. The FTSE 100 was up 0.54 percent to 5,996.01 in London, while the FTSE 250 added 0.66 percent ...
April 14, 2011
European equities markets were lower Thursday on concerns that Greece and Portugal could have to reschedule debt payments, and on discouraging data from the US as first-time jobless claims and producer prices both increased in the latest figures. The FTSE 100 was 0.5 percent lower to 1,129.59 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.11 percent to 11,603.2. Producers of consumer goods had a rough session as household, consumer healthcare and personal ...
Reckitt Benckiser drops 7.5 percent in London trade
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were lower Thursday on concerns that Greece and Portugal could have to reschedule debt payments, and on discouraging data from the US as first-time jobless claims and producer prices both increased in the latest figures. The FTSE 100 was 0.5 percent lower to 1,129.59 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.11 percent to 11,603.2. Producers of consumer goods had a rough session as household, consumer healthcare and personal ...
April 13, 2011
European equities markets saw gains Wednesday on new data showing that factory output in the Eurozone was up by 0.4 percent in February, the fifth consecutive month of gains. The FTSE 100 added 0.77 percent to 6,010.44 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.64 percent to 11,615.8, with banks seeing gains after US bank JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) reported that profits were up by 67 percent in the first ...
Barclays Bank leads London banks higher after JPMorgan 1Q profits
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets saw gains Wednesday on new data showing that factory output in the Eurozone was up by 0.4 percent in February, the fifth consecutive month of gains. The FTSE 100 added 0.77 percent to 6,010.44 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.64 percent to 11,615.8, with banks seeing gains after US bank JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) reported that profits were up by 67 percent in the first ...
April 12, 2011
Equities markets were lower in Europe Tuesday on more concerns about the nuclear crisis in Japan after Tokyo Electric Power (TYO: 9501) said that its Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant could release more radiation than Chernobyl and Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency upped its severity rating on the situation at the power facility. Markets were also hurt by the news that the US corporate results season had gotten off to ...
Ferrexpo leads miners, FTSE 250 lower
by Elaine FreiEquities markets were lower in Europe Tuesday on more concerns about the nuclear crisis in Japan after Tokyo Electric Power (TYO: 9501) said that its Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant could release more radiation than Chernobyl and Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency upped its severity rating on the situation at the power facility. Markets were also hurt by the news that the US corporate results season had gotten off to ...
April 11, 2011
European equities markets were lower Monday ahead of the start of US quarterly corporate results, scheduled to begin later in the day. The FTSE 100 was down 0.04 percent to 6,053.44 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.31 percent to 11,689.7. Four of the top five decliners on the 250 came from the house building sector, as Barratt Developments (LSE: BDEV) dropped 4.35 percent, Persimmon (LSE: PSN) fell 4.13 percent, Bellway ...
Homebuilders decline in London trade
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were lower Monday ahead of the start of US quarterly corporate results, scheduled to begin later in the day. The FTSE 100 was down 0.04 percent to 6,053.44 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.31 percent to 11,689.7. Four of the top five decliners on the 250 came from the house building sector, as Barratt Developments (LSE: BDEV) dropped 4.35 percent, Persimmon (LSE: PSN) fell 4.13 percent, Bellway ...
April 8, 2011
London-listed miners led gains on the FTSE 100 in London as European equities markets saw gains Friday. The FTSE 100 added 0.81 percent to 6,055.75 in London, while the FTSE 250 gained 0.57 percent to 11,726.2 as the Office of National Statistics issued new data showing that producer prices in the UK added 0.9 percent in March, making it more likely that the Bank of England will raise interest rates soon. Miners ...
Kenmare Resources leads miners higher in London
by Elaine FreiLondon-listed miners led gains on the FTSE 100 in London as European equities markets saw gains Friday. The FTSE 100 added 0.81 percent to 6,055.75 in London, while the FTSE 250 gained 0.57 percent to 11,726.2 as the Office of National Statistics issued new data showing that producer prices in the UK added 0.9 percent in March, making it more likely that the Bank of England will raise interest rates soon. Miners ...
April 7, 2011
European equities markets were mostly lower after a magnitude 7.1 aftershock hit the region of Japan devastated by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami at around 11:30 p.m. local time there, and after the European Central Bank raised interest rates to 1.25 percent, from 1 percent. A tsunami warning was issued, but was cancelled about 90 minutes after the quake, while there were reports that the aftershock did not do any ...
Aggreko leads gains on FTSE 100; Europe, US markets drop on Japan aftershock
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mostly lower after a magnitude 7.1 aftershock hit the region of Japan devastated by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami at around 11:30 p.m. local time there, and after the European Central Bank raised interest rates to 1.25 percent, from 1 percent. A tsunami warning was issued, but was cancelled about 90 minutes after the quake, while there were reports that the aftershock did not do any ...
April 6, 2011
European equities markets were higher Wednesday on the news that factory orders added 2.4 percent in February over January, while German and Italian banks said they would boost capital. The FTSE 100 was up 0.57 percent to 6,041.13 in London, while the FTSE 250 was 0.37 percent higher to 11,781.4 as banks gained on more confidence in banks generally after the banks in Germany and Italy said they would raise more ...
Lloyds Banking Group leads London banks higher
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were higher Wednesday on the news that factory orders added 2.4 percent in February over January, while German and Italian banks said they would boost capital. The FTSE 100 was up 0.57 percent to 6,041.13 in London, while the FTSE 250 was 0.37 percent higher to 11,781.4 as banks gained on more confidence in banks generally after the banks in Germany and Italy said they would raise more ...
April 5, 2011
European equities markets were mostly lower Tuesday, but technology shares were higher on mergers and acquisitions news. The FTSE 100 was 0.16 percent lower to 6,007.06 in London, while the FTSE 250 was down 0.25 percent to 11,737.7. ARM Holdings added 2.62 percent on the news that US-based chipmaker Texas Intsruments (NYSE: TXN) said it will buy National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM) for $6.5 billion. Vedanta Resources (LSE: VED) led gains on the 100 ...
ARM Holdings sees gains on chip sector acquisitions news
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were mostly lower Tuesday, but technology shares were higher on mergers and acquisitions news. The FTSE 100 was 0.16 percent lower to 6,007.06 in London, while the FTSE 250 was down 0.25 percent to 11,737.7. ARM Holdings added 2.62 percent on the news that US-based chipmaker Texas Intsruments (NYSE: TXN) said it will buy National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM) for $6.5 billion. Vedanta Resources (LSE: VED) led gains on the 100 ...
April 4, 2011
Equities markets were mixed in Europe on Monday as bids news was in focus. The FTSE 100 added 0.12 percent to 6,016.98 in London, while the FTSE 250 gained 0.49 percent to 11,766.6. In the telecommunications sector, Vodafone (LSE: VOD) was up by as much as 2.2 percent before closing the session down 0.14 percent on the news that Vivendi SA (Euronext: VIV) said it will buy Vodafone’s stake in French mobile ...
Vodafone declines after gains on sale of stake in SFR
by Elaine FreiEquities markets were mixed in Europe on Monday as bids news was in focus. The FTSE 100 added 0.12 percent to 6,016.98 in London, while the FTSE 250 gained 0.49 percent to 11,766.6. In the telecommunications sector, Vodafone (LSE: VOD) was up by as much as 2.2 percent before closing the session down 0.14 percent on the news that Vivendi SA (Euronext: VIV) said it will buy Vodafone’s stake in French mobile ...
April 1, 2011
European equities markets were helped to gains after the US Labor Department reported that employers added 216,000 jobs in March, well over analyst estimates, sending US unemployment to 8.8 percent, down from 8.9 percent last month, with the only dark spot in the report coming from a decline of 14,000 government jobs during the month. The FTSE 100 was up 1.71 percent to 6,009.92 in London, while the FTSE 250 was ...
Bank of Ireland gains on plan to avoid nationalization
by Elaine FreiEuropean equities markets were helped to gains after the US Labor Department reported that employers added 216,000 jobs in March, well over analyst estimates, sending US unemployment to 8.8 percent, down from 8.9 percent last month, with the only dark spot in the report coming from a decline of 14,000 government jobs during the month. The FTSE 100 was up 1.71 percent to 6,009.92 in London, while the FTSE 250 was ...
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 ...