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Tuesday 09th of February 2010

Latest Investment News

The latest news on equities, commodities, and bonds:

February 8, 2010

Legal & General leads declines among insurers

by Elaine Frei
Legal & General leads declines among insurers
Most European equities markets were higher Monday after last week’s declines on concerns about the economies of several nations in the region. The FTSE 100 added 0.62 percent to 5,092.33 in London, but the FTSE 250 was down 0.28 percent to 9,010.37. Insurers were mixed, with Legal & General Group (LSE: LGEN) leading declines in the sector and on the 100 with ...



Sterling falls against dollar over euro zone debt fears

by Kay Murchie
’Sterling
The pound dived to a low not seen since May 2009 today over debt fears in the euro zone. It was the fourth consecutive day of losses and the pound fell to $1.5535 in early London trade - an 8½ month low. The losses came as investors worry about how euro zone economies (including Greece and Portugal) will tackle ...



Church snubs mining company over ethical concerns

by David Masters
Church snubs mining company over ethical concerns
The finance arm of the Church of England has said it will withdraw its £2.5 million investment from Vedanta, an India-based mining project, over concerns about human rights abuses by the company. In a statement released Friday, the church said Vedanta has not done enough to improve its respect for human rights. Campaigners who believe the church should invest ethically have long ...



Shareholders see dividends plummet

by Kay Murchie
Shareholders see dividends plummet
According to a report by Capita Registrars Research, UK companies paid out £57 billion to investors last year - 15% less than in the previous year - resulting in a loss of £10 billion. Furthermore, the research found that investors are unlikely to fare any better this year because of a weak economic recovery. The report found that those with shares in the banking ...



February 5, 2010

ICAP leads London lower, drops almost 20 percent

by Elaine Frei
ICAP leads London lower, drops almost 20 percent
European equities markets were lower again Friday as banks and miners continued to decline and investors worried about the health of the economic recovery. The FTSE 100 was down 1.53 percent to 5,060.92 in London, while the FTSE 250 fell 2.04 percent to 9,035.91. Inter-dealer money brokers, banks which handle transactions between other banks, had a rough day of it, leading ...



Ethical investments outperform standard market

by David Masters
Ethical investments outperform standard market
Socially responsible investments marginally outperformed the standard market over the past decade, new research has revealed. Jantzi, a Toronto-based environmental and social responsibility research firm, said its Jantzi Social Index (JSI), made up of green and ethical companies, produced an average annual return of 5.68% between 2000 and 2009. This is compared to an average 5.61% annualised gain for the S&P/TSX (Standard & Poor's/Toronto ...



European debt fears send Asian stocks down

by Kay Murchie
European debt fears send Asian stocks down
Debt concerns in Europe have resulted in heavy falls across Asian stock markets today with Japan's Nikkei index fell nearly 3% and stock markets in Hong Kong, Korea and China experiencing heavy declines. The Nikkei fell almost 300 points to 10,057.1 - its lowest level in two months. Hong Kong‘s Hang Seng Index lost 592.31 points to 19,749.33 in morning ...



February 4, 2010

Yell Group gains nearly 18 percent amid declines in London

by Elaine Frei
Yell Group gains nearly 18 percent amid declines in London
European equities markets were significantly lower Thursday on concerns that the budget deficits of Greece, Spain and Portugal could be out of control, while a rise in first-time unemployment claims in the US also hurt the days results. The pan-European FTSE Eurofirst 300 fell below 1,000 as it dropped 2.75 percent on the session to close at 992.93. The ...



February 3, 2010

Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey leads London markets

by Elaine Frei
Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey leads London markets
Equities markets in Europe saw declines Wednesday. The FTSE 100 was 0.57 percent lower in London, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.66 percent to 9,417.81. Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey (LSE: TW) turned in the best performance of the day in London as it added 3.9 percent on the 250, followed by fellow homebuilder Redrow (LSE: RDW), which added 3.43 percent. Over on the 100, insurers ...



February 2, 2010

Eurasian Natural Resources leads 100 on higher metals prices

by Elaine Frei
Eurasian Natural Resources leads 100 on higher metals prices
European equities markets were higher Tuesday. In London, the FTSE 100 was up 0.68 percent to 5,283.31 while the FTSE 250 gained 1.81 percent to 9,480.77. Miner Eurasian Natural Resources (LSE: ENRC) led gains on the 100 as it added 4.6 percent on the session as all miners were higher, including best-in-sector iron-ore miner Ferrexpo (LSE: FXPO), which gained 7.16 ...



February 1, 2010

Northumbrian Water leads London on possible bid

by Elaine Frei
Northumbrian Water leads London on possible bid
European equities markets were higher Monday as banks and miners saw gains. The FTSE 100 added 1.14 percent to 5,247.41 in London, while the FTSE 250 gained 0.81 percent to 8,312.11. Northumbrian Water Group (LSE: NWG) had the best day in London, adding 11.76 percent and leading the 250 on a media report that the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in Canada could ...



January 29, 2010

Gem Diamonds leads gains in London

by Elaine Frei
Gem Diamonds leads gains in London
Equities markets in Europe were higher Friday, ending the week on a positive note. The FTSE 100 added 0.83 percent to 5,188.52 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.26 percent to 9,237.3. Gem Diamonds (LSE: GEMD) led the 250, a mixed mining sector, and all gainers in London as it added 5.86 percent, while over on the 100, Xstrata (LSE: XTA) ...



January 28, 2010

Most miners down, but Ferrexpo manages gain

by Elaine Frei
Most miners down, but Ferrexpo manages gain
Equities markets in Europe were lower Thursday. The FTSE 100 fell 1.37 percent to 5,145.74 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.34 percent to 9,213.78. Miners were the biggest decliners, with only two gains in the sector, led by iron-ore miner Ferrexpo (LSE: FXPO), which added 2.52 percent, while Xstrata (LSE: XTA) turned in the worst performance in the sector as ...



January 27, 2010

Britvic leads London markets

by Elaine Frei
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European equities markets were lower Wednesday in anticipation of a new decision on US interest rates and ahead of US President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, which will be delivered before a joint session of Congress Wednesday evening in Washingdon, D.C. The FTSE 100 was 1.13 percent lower to 5,217.47 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.51 percent to 9,245.25. Soft drinks maker Britvic (LSE: ...



Savvy investors snub financial advisers

by David Masters
Savvy investors snub financial advisers
Two thirds of investors don't bother seeking financial advice before making an investment, according to a new study. In a poll by the Fair Investment Company (FIC), 64% of respondents said they would not seek advice before making a decision about where to invest their money. Just 34% said they would get advice before making an investment. George Ladds, FIC's head of investment and ...



January 26, 2010

Ferrexpo leads miners lower

by Elaine Frei
Ferrexpo leads miners lower
European equities markets saw gains Tuesday despite remaining concerns over monetary policy in China. The FTSE 100 added 0.31 percent to 5,276.85 in London, and while the FTSE 250 was slightly lower, in only dropped 0.2 point to 9,292.92. Miners were hurt by the continuing concerns over the tightening of monetary policy in China on the possibility that the new policies, which include increased reserve ...



NS&I to encourage savers with new account

by Kay Murchie
”NS&I
Government-backed National Savings & Investments (NS&I), which runs Premium Bonds and a variety of savings products, is to launch a new savings account in March with an “attractive” interest rate. The news will be welcomed by savers who have been suffering amid the historically low interest rate environment. The financial crisis led to many British savers withdrawing their funds from banks and ...



January 25, 2010

Legal & General leads gains in mixed insurance sector

by Elaine Frei
Legal & General leads gains in mixed insurances sector
European equities markets were lower to start the week on Monday. The FTSE 100 was 0.8 percent lower to 5,260.31 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.34 percent to 9,293.12. Insurers were mixed as Legal & General Group (LSE: LGEN) added 3.68 percent to lead the sector and the 100, followed by a gain of 2.07 percent for RSA ...



January 22, 2010

Barclays leads London banks lower

by Elaine Frei
Barclays leads London banks lower
European equities markets were lower Friday as banks declined on a proposal made Thursday by US President Barack Obama which would, if enacted, could limit what kind and how much of a risk banks could take with their money. The FTSE 100 was down 0.6 percent to 5,302.99 in London, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.99 percent to 9,325.22. Most London banks were lower ...



January 21, 2010

RBS, Fresnillo lead declines as banks, miners drop

by Elaine Frei
European equities markets were lower Thursday on declines for banks and miners. The FTSE 100 was 1.58 percent lower to 5,335.1 in London, while the FTSE 250 dropped 0.57 percent to 9,418.07, with the mining and banking sectors providing the nine worst performers on the session. Royal Bank of Scotland (LSE: RBS) dropped 7.05 percent as it had the worst day on the 100 and in London, with ...




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