Week ahead: Economic data and miners set to drive FTSE April 18, 2016 Investors will be wading through economic data this week, with the March unemployment report out on Wednesday and the latest retail sales and public finance figures due Thursday. On Friday the FTSE 100 index was down 21.35 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 6,343.75 points by the close, broadly in line with the European market. [...]
At the close: FTSE pushed higher by banks and miners, as Tesco and Premier Foods fall April 13, 2016 Banks and miners moved the FTSE 100 higher today as data from China reassured investors over growth in the world’s second largest economy, adding more than 100 points to the index’s rise. The FTSE 100 ended the day at its highest for four months at 6,362.89 points, up 120.50 points, or 1.9 per cent. Tesco shed [...]
The new Porsche Macan road test: it’s all things to all men April 13, 2016 Subtlety is not my Porsche Macan Turbo’s strong suit. In fact, it feels rather out of place. I’ve driven it to the Goodwood Members Meeting, a rather exclusive affair reserved for owners of historic cars, experienced racers, and the tiny handful of civilians who managed to get their hands on tickets. The throngs that come [...]
Stocks surge on strong Chinese trade figures, while Tesco’s return to profit proves every little doesn’t help April 13, 2016 Strong trade data from China was enough to offset disappointing results from Tesco this morning and push UK stocks to their highest level of the year. Gobal shares rallied on the latest sign that the process of rebalacing in the world’s second largest economy is on course. Exports from China jumped by 11.5 per cent in March in dollar terms [...]
FTSE 100 closes at a new 2016 high after commodities rally April 8, 2016 The FTSE 100 caught the Friday feeling today, closing at a high for the year after bouncing off some upbeat commodities stocks. The bluechip index clocked out for the week at 6,204, up 1.1 per cent and its highest close since jolly New Year's Eve traders-cum-revellers saw it hit 6,242 on the final day of last [...]
Antofagasta names replacement to outgoing chief executive April 8, 2016 London-listed copper miner Antofagasta has appointed an insider to replace outgoing chief executive Diego Hernández who is retiring with immediate effect. Iván Arriagada, who has been head of the FTSE 100-listed company's minerals division since last February, was widely tipped to be Hernández 's successor. Read more: Antofagasta's revenue falls on copper price rout He'd previously worked for a string of commodity titans, including BHP [...]
Randgold resources share price rises as it holds onto progressive dividend March 31, 2016 Shares in Randgold Resources edged up today as the West African gold producer held onto its progressive dividend despite lower gold prices. The company's shares rose as much as two per cent to 6,405p per share this morning, before settling down slightly to end the day at 6,370p. Read more: Experts say gold could hit [...]
Earning a crust: With Centrica, Rolls Royce, BHP Billiton and others cutting their dividend, where should investors look for income? March 31, 2016 As central banks have pushed down interest rates, income has become ever harder to find. While returns on cash savings have remained low, dividend-yielding stocks have looked like a source of stability. But now, trouble in the global economy is forcing reliable dividend payers such as Centrica and Rolls Royce to slash their payouts. Companies [...]
Mining glory takes FTSE 100 past 6,200 to post highest close of 2016 March 30, 2016 Traders got out their spades and went digging for value today, striking gold in the topsy-turvy commodities sector and helping the FTSE to put on an impressive 1.59 per cent to close at 6,203 – its highest level of the year. Markets started cheerily this morning, surging by 63 points at the open, and the feel-good [...]
Fed chair Janet Yellen interest rate comments send mining shares soaring March 30, 2016 US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen's dovish coos over future interest rates rises helped send London-listed miners higher today. Yesterday Yellen said that the Fed will "proceed cautiously" when deciding their policy actions in the coming months. Metal prices are slightly down today, however Yellen's comments weakened the greenback making dollar-priced commodities cheaper for holders of foreign currencies. The [...]