China manufacturing sector shows first growth since December June 23, 2014 The Chinese manufacturing sector grew in June for the first time in six months, according to a report from HSBC/Markit. The growth drove up the price of commodities, with iron ore and copper futures among the risers. A rise in commodity prices is boosting the Australian mining sector, with shares in Rio Tinto, Fortesque Metals [...]
London Report: Rolls rally lifts market closer to record high June 19, 2014 Arally by aircraft engine-maker Rolls-Royce and the US Federal Reserve’s reassurance over monetary policy yesterday pushed the FTSE 100 up to trade just below a record high. The London market ended the day 0.4 per cent higher at 6,808.11 points, not far from a record 6,950.60 set in 1999. Rolls-Royce surged 8.1 per cent to [...]
Why one bank is switching its allegiance from BHP Billiton to Rio Tinto June 5, 2014 As both are FTSE 100 listed Anglo-Australian miners, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto often get compared rather than contrasted. But RBC Capital Markets today downgraded BHP – despite the stock outperforming Rio by around 10 per cent this year – and switched to a preference of Rio over BHP. “Since December 2013 we have preferred [...]
London Report: Chinese factory figures see FTSE shares edge up June 2, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index inched higher yesterday as upbeat Chinese factory data lifted mining stocks and as homebuilders shrugged off worse-than-expected mortgage approval figures in the UK. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed up 0.3 per cent, or 19.59 points, at 6,864.10 points. Mining stocks across Europe, including London-listed Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, rose [...]
BHP mulls sale of its Australian nickel business May 14, 2014 BHP BILLITON yesterday said it was considering selling off its nickel business in western Australia, as the miner pushes ahead with plans to streamline its portfolio. “The review is considering all options for the long-term future of Nickel West, including the potential sale of all or parts of the business,” said the firm. The asset [...]
What you need to know before the open May 14, 2014 Markets are expected to pause somewhat today, keeping their powder dry ahead of the Bank of England’s inflation report. US markets hit a record high again yesterday, buoyed by hopes that the ECB will act next month to ease monetary policy. Final inflation numbers from Germany and France could give analysts some clues as to [...]
Mining stocks lift the FTSE after JP Morgan upgrades the sector May 12, 2014 MINERS were given a boost yesterday, after JP Morgan upgraded its recommendation on the sector to overweight. The likes of Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Anglo American topped the FTSE 100, after the bank said that there are “signs of a rebound in activity” in China, the world’s largest consumer of commodities, while the sector [...]
London Report: Mining shares lift FTSE close to a 14-year high May 12, 2014 A RISE in heavyweight mining stocks lifted Britain’s top equity index yesterday close to its highest level since early 2000. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed 0.6 per cent or 37.18 points higher at 6,851.75 points – within touching distance of a peak of 6,867.42 reached in January, which was close to its highest levels [...]
JP Morgan gives miners much-needed upgrade May 12, 2014 Miners, usually the underdogs of the stock market these days, got a boost this morning from a JP Morgan note that upgraded its recommendation on the mining sector to overweight. The likes of Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Anglo American topped the FTSE 100, after the bank said that there are “signs of a rebound [...]
It’s loud and fast, but wide of the mark April 28, 2014 Peter Burgess failed to fall in love with the original F-Type – can the coupé version convince him otherwise? WE’VE HAD our issues, Jaguar and I, over the F-Type. Like the Emperor’s new clothes, all the press seemed bowled over, except for me. Sure, it’s mighty fast and incredibly sexy. But does it really need [...]