Countdown to Christmas, Syria vote and Star Wars economics: Here’s what got us talking this week December 4, 2015 A ray of sunshine after the gloomiest November in 86 years: this was the week in which the Bank of England declared the end of the financial crisis. Even banks aren’t stressed any more… What got us talking this week 1. Festive fun Only 20 more sleeps until the big day, and don’t we know [...]
Shell wins final Australian approval for its takeover of BG December 3, 2015 Oil major Shell has received the final nod from an Australian regulator for its proposed $70bn (£47bn) acquisition of BG group, meaning China is now the last regulatory hurdle it has left to clear. Approval from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board means Shell has satisfied four out of five pre-conditions necessary for the deal to go ahead. The company added it [...]
Morrisons drops out as pharma boosts FTSE 100 – London Report December 3, 2015 The FTSE 100 index closed up last night, buoyed by pharmaceuticals that were given a boost from a Morgan Stanley note supporting AstraZeneca. The UK’s top blue-chip index closed up 0.4 per cent, at 6,420.93 points. Shire led the pack higher, closing 2.35 per cent up at 4,745p per share, while GlaxoSmithKline ended the session [...]
Morrisons is kicked out of the FTSE 100 after nearly 15 years at the top, along with Meggitt and G4S December 2, 2015 Supermarket chain Morrisons has been kicked out of the elite ranks of the FTSE 100 after nearly 15 years, joining other fallers including Meggitt and G4S. The London Stock Exchange’s quarterly review of the index confirmed that the grocer has fallen to 109th place in the ranking of the UK’s largest companies. Morrisons’ shares closed down 0.2 [...]
At the close: FTSE 100 index rises on pharmaceuticals December 2, 2015 The FTSE 100 index closed up last night, buoyed by pharmaceuticals that were given a boost from a Morgan Stanley note supporting AstraZeneca. The UK’s top blue-chip index closed up 0.4 per cent, at 6,420.93 points. Shire led the pack higher, closing 2.35 per cent up at 4,745p per share, while GlaxoSmithKline ended the session [...]
Winners and losers of this year’s FTSE quarterly reshuffles: Morrison, Worldpay and Hikma Pharmaceuticals December 2, 2015 The FTSE index's last quarterly reshuffle of this year has rolled round, and it could conclude with a bang, as reports suggest embattled high street supermarket Morrison will be given the shove. The other companies being moved to the FTSE 250 index are reportedly security firm G4S and engineering group Meggitt. Worldpay, the payments firm [...]
Morrisons supermarket reportedly set to exit the FTSE 100 index December 1, 2015 Struggling supermarket Morrisons will reportedly be booted out of the FTSE 100 index tomorrow as part of its quarterly shake up. The Bradford based company has been nudging the bottom of the table for the last 12 months and just managed to dodge relegation in the last reshuffle. Latest update: Morrisons is kicked out of the FTSE [...]
Pound dips as UK manufacturing stalls in November, missing expectations December 1, 2015 The pound dipped to as low as €1.4236 this morning, after figures showed the UK's manufacturing sector stalled in November. The CIPS/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 52.7 in November, from 55.2 the month below. Although it was above the 50 mark which denotes expansion, the figure was still well below consensus of 53.6. However, [...]
Stocking up on Christmas booze? Marks & Spencer is the best supermarket for wine – while Morrisons comes second December 1, 2015 Marks & Spencer has retained its crown as the best supermarket wine retailer for the second year running – but if you're stocking up on Christmas booze, you could do a lot worse than head to Morrisons, which came second in the medal table at this year's International Wine Challenge (IWC). M&S came first in [...]
FTSE 100 demotions and promotions: G4S and Meggitt face fall and Worldpay, Provident Financial and DCC eye upwards move in December quarterly review November 30, 2015 Outsourcing giant G4S faces relegation from the FTSE 100 along with engineering firm Meggitt. The pair face the chop from the prestigious index of the leading companies listed in the UK when it comes up for renewal this week. On the other foot, it's newly listed Worldpay which could take their place with a promotion, as could [...]