Markets live: FTSE 100 goes green as US stocks shrug off China tensions May 21, 2020 The FTSE 100 turned from red to green as US markets opened higher today, despite the looming threat of escalating US-China tensions. Britain’s main stock index had fallen 0.78 per cent by 10.30am to 6,017 points. By 2.50pm it had risen 0.2 per cent to 6,078 points, however, as US markets shrugged off more jobless [...]
UK companies tapped capital markets for £30bn at height of coronavirus crisis May 21, 2020 UK companies raised around £30bn in the corporate bond and equity markets at the height of the coronavirus crisis, a report released today showed. From the middle of March to early April, 150 UK companies raised around £30bn on the capital markets in response to the coronavirus crisis, the report said. More than 90 per [...]
AJ Bell’s revenue jumps 22 per cent as investors take advantage of market volatility May 21, 2020 AJ Bell has reported a 22 per cent increase in revenue after it saw record numbers of new customers flock to the investment platform amid the market volatility. The figures Revenue increased 22 per cent to £60.9m, with profit before tax up 28 per cent to £22.7m in the six months to 31 March. Total [...]
Markets live: FTSE 100 rises as recovery hopes boost global stocks May 20, 2020 The UK’s FTSE 100 has closed higher after a choppy day of trading as hopes of a recovery from the coronavirus downturn offset dire economic data and doubts about a new vaccine. The blue-chip index rose 1.08 per cent to 6,067 points, aided by a surge in data firm Experian, which posted strong results. European [...]
A third of North Sea oil could remain untouched due to price collapse May 20, 2020 More than a third of the remaining oil in the North Sea basin may never be extracted if prices do not improve, a new study has warned. Economists at Aberdeen University have modelled the impact of $25, $35 and $45 per barrel prices on the industry, At the lowest figure, the research finds, up to [...]
UK sells bond with negative yield for first time ever May 20, 2020 The UK has sold a bond with a negative yield for the first time ever, meaning investors want to hold government debt so much that they will pay to do so. The three-year bond sold at an average yield of minus 0.003 per cent. The bond has a “coupon” of 0.75 per cent, but because [...]
FTSE 100 and US stocks slip as investor excitement cools May 19, 2020 US stocks have followed the FTSE 100 lower as investor sentiment cools following a dramatic rally yesterday on hopes that a coronavirus vaccine may soon emerge. Wall Street’s Dow Jones index was down 0.6 per cent shortly after the bell. The S&P 500 was 0.3 per cent lower but the Nasdaq was up 0.2 per [...]
Oil prices soar as world begins to emerge from lockdown May 18, 2020 Oil prices continued their upwards trajectory this afternoon, dispelling fears of a repeat of last month’s price implosion as the countries around the world continued to move out of lockdown restrictions. Worldwide standard Brent crude broke through the $35 mark, rising nine per cent to stand at its highest levels since March. West Texas Intermediate, [...]
FTSE 100 breaks 6,000 barrier as vaccine hopes and Fed pledge boost markets May 18, 2020 The FTSE 100 broke through the 6,000-point milestone in a positive start to the week’s trading today, buoyed by hopes of a vaccine and more Federal Reserve stimulus. Easing lockdowns and lower infection rates in Europe infection hotspots Italy, the UK and Spain also boosted London’s blue-chip index. The FTSE 100 closed 4.5 per cent [...]
Gupta snaps up industry veteran to lead steelmaking division May 18, 2020 Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel Group has announced the appointment of industry heavyweight Paramjit Kahlon to run its primary steel and integrated mining division. Kahlon, who spent over a decade at steel giant Arcelor Mittal, will oversee the company’s operations in the Czech Republic, Romania and Australia. In the short term, his focus will be on [...]