At the close: FTSE 100 index closes down on Old Mutual, miners and oil companies December 11, 2015 The FTSE 100 index closed sharply lower, ending the week below the 6,000 mark and rounding off a poor week. The UK's top blue-chip index closed 2.22 per cent lower at 5,952 points, the lowest late September, led lower by miners, oil companies and Old Mutual. Old Mutual led the index lower, closing 10.62 per cent down at 155.7p per [...]
US retail sales increase expectations for an interest rate rise from the US Federal Reserve December 11, 2015 US retail sales rose strongly in November as the Christmas shopping season got under way, heightening expectations that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates for the first time in nearly 10 years next year. The Commerce Department said on Friday retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services rose 0.6 per [...]
Volkswagen sales fall 2.4 per cent in November as emissions scandal hurts brand December 11, 2015 Volkswagen is starting to feel the effects of the emission scandal on its bottom line: sales in November slipped 2.4 per cent on the back of ongoing fears over the car giant's manipulation of data. The German manufacturer put much of the decline down to especially tough markets in Brazil and Russia, where sales slumped [...]
Iron ore on course for longest losing streak since financial crisis December 11, 2015 Iron ore prices are on course to fall for the ninth week in a row, meaning the steel-making material will clock its longest losing streak in seven years. Iron ore has shed 3.8 per cent this week, haven fallen to just $38.52 a tonne today. This marks a record low in daily prices compiled by Metal Bulletin, which [...]
DuPont and Dow Chemical agree to $130bn merger December 11, 2015 DuPont and Dow Chemical are merging, the two companies have confirmed. In a statement, the American chemical firms said their boards of directors had “unanimously approved” the deal, which is worth $130bn (£86bn) and will result in the creation of DowDuPont. It is an all-stock merger of equals, which means shareholders in each company will own approximately 50 per [...]
Ford invests billions in electric vehicles as it adds 13 new electric vehicles to its line December 11, 2015 Ford has just announced a major investment into electric cars, aiming to have 13 new models hit the roads by 2020. The American automaker announced a $4.5bn (£3bn) investment in electric vehicles, the largest-ever investment in the eco-friendly solution in a five-year period. That means that by 2020, the company will be adding 13 new electric-powered [...]
IMF managing director Christine Lagarde says house prices, deficit, EU referendum could hurt UK growth December 11, 2015 Rapidly rising house prices and a "strikingly large" current account deficit could inhibit Britain's economic growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned this morning. In its annual report on Britain's economy, the IMF said that while UK growth has been strong in recent years, domestic risks threaten the "broadly positive outlook". "Domestic and external [...]
International Personal Finance’s share price in freefall after warning on Slovakian legislation December 11, 2015 International Personal Finance's (IPF) share price tanked this morning, leading the FTSE 250 lower, after warning that it could be hurt by new legislation in Slovakia. Shares slid 22.36 per cent to 250.5p in mid-morning trading, while the index was down 0.79 per cent to 16,945 points. Read more: FTSE 100 opens down on Sports Direct and Old Mutual [...]
FTSE 100 index opens down as Sports Direct and Old Mutual share price woes continue December 11, 2015 The FTSE 100 index opened down this morning as Sports Direct and Old Mutual extended losses, the day after both companies shed over 10 per cent of their share prices. The UK's top blue-chip index was down 0.18 per cent at 6,076 points. Sports Direct's share price was down 2.5 per cent as the market opened, falling to 577.75p per share, [...]
Legal & General to end quarterly reporting December 11, 2015 Asset manager Legal & General announced it will end quarterly reporting next year, to focus on the long-term interests of the company. "The board feels the decision will enhance its communications with investors and other stakeholders, as it will allow the company to better articulate Legal & General's business strategies and the long-term dynamics of its [...]