Skip navigation
Interactive Investor home page [Logo]

Markets


  • Gartmore confirms flotation plans
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.11.09
    Fund management group Gartmore has confirmed plans to float on the London Stock Exchange at the end of the year in what will be the biggest initial public offering this year.
  • Nationwide hit by savers exodus
    Rebecca Atkinson
    20.11.09
    Building society Nationwide has seen an exodus of savers over much of 2009, as low interest rates take their toll on customer numbers.
  • Pub industry set for tough 2010
    Fiona Bond
    20.11.09
    Things could turn sour for the UK's pub industry after it warned that it would come up against a tough trading environment next year, analysts said today.
  • The perks of investing
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.11.09
    Everyone likes a freebie, and don't listed companies know it. Rhian Nicholson runs through some of the perks listed firms offer to their shareholders.
  • The week ahead...
    Fiona Bond
    20.11.09
    Updates from utilities firms are on tap this week, while house price figures from Nationwide in the UK and GDP estimates from the US provide some of the economic data.
  • Bitter Britain
    Ken Fisher
    19.11.09
    With its GDP falling for a historic sixth quarter in a row, Ken Fisher looks at the future of Britain as a global economic heavyweight.
  • Dana Petroleum ramps up production
    Fiona Bond
    19.11.09
    Oil explorer Dana Petroleum has ramped up output to 42,000 barrels of oil per day in the last three weeks, putting it firmly on track to hit its yearly production targets.
  • Mixed bag for Premier Oil
    Fiona Bond
    19.11.09
    It was a game of two halves for upstream oil and gas company Premier Oil which failed to hit its yearly production target, but said it was on track to meet its medium-term output levels.
  • Record customer numbers for Morrisons
    Fiona Bond
    19.11.09
    Perseverance paid off for supermarket chain Morrisons after it welcomed a record number of customers into its store in the three months to November.
  • Retail recovery hopes grow
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.11.09
    Shoppers were starting to loosen their purse strings in October with retail sales growing at their fastest rate for 17 months, official figures showed today.
  • Topaz comes on-stream to boost Faroe
    Fiona Bond
    19.11.09
    Oil and gas player Faroe Petroleum is looking to up its production rates after announcing on Thursday that the Topaz Gas Field has come on-stream.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.11.09
    Morrison and Halfords are among the big names updating the market today. Check out what else is in store.
  • Altona buoyed by joint venture
    Fiona Bond
    18.11.09
    Shares in Altona Energy soared on Wednesday on the back of news its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Arckaringa Energy struck an agreement with CNOOC New Energy Investment.
  • ITV's chairman search finally ends
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.11.09
    The search for ITV's new chairman is finally over, with the struggling broadcaster naming Archie Norman as Michael Grade's successor.
  • Lloyds' restructure given European go-ahead
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.11.09
    Lloyds Banking Group can press ahead with plans for the UK's largest ever rights issue after its radical restructuring plans were formally given the go-ahead by the European Commission.
  • New chief executive boosts M&S
    Fiona Bond
    18.11.09
    High street mecca Marks & Spencer gave its investors a reason to celebrate on Wednesday, after unveiling Marc Bolland as its new chief executive.
  • Quantitative easing splits MPC
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.11.09
    The multi-billion pound question on the future of quantitative easing heavily split opinion on the Monetary Policy Committee in its November meeting, according to minutes released today.
  • Queen's Speech sets out banking regulations
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.11.09
    Financial stability was at the centre of the Queen's Speech today as the government set out a batch of regulations aiming to keep banks in check and avoid a repeat of the worst financial crisis in decades.
  • Real estate giants optimistic on outlook
    Fiona Bond
    18.11.09
    Commercial property maestros Land Securities and British Land are predicting a brighter future for the sector, although the road to recovery remains rocky.
  • Rising diamond prices to help Petra shine
    Edmond Jackson
    18.11.09
    Edmond Jackson says the strengthening in rough diamond supports the top-down and bottom-up views he expressed in Petra Diamonds back in October. There could be more growth ahead.
  • What's in store today...
    Fiona Bond
    18.11.09
    Land Securities, Halfords and Mothercare are all in the spotlight today amongst others. See what else is in store.
  • Barratt adds to housebuilders' optimism
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.11.09
    Barratt Developments today reinforced the cautiously optimistic mood in the housebuilding sector with higher reservations and a stronger order book.
  • Heritage to complete merger by year-end
    Fiona Bond
    17.11.09
    International oil and gas group Heritage Oil today fuelled hopes that it will close a multi-billion dollar merger with Turkey's Genel Energy by the end of the year.
  • Inflation rises for first time in eight months
    Rebecca Atkinson
    17.11.09
    The interest rate is likely to remain on hold throughout 2010 despite the fact that inflation increased in October for the first time in eight months - with further rises expected in the coming months.
  • Outlook for tobacco
    Jim Levi
    17.11.09
    Stronger trading conditions have significantly improved the outlook for one tobacco giant and left a raft of other companies poised for a prosperous 2010, reports Jim Levi.
  • Platinum prices could be set to soar
    Fiona Bond
    17.11.09
    Platinum prices could hit $1,550 an ounce over the next six months if supply fails to keep pace with demand, a report from Johnson Matthey has suggested.
  • Regal Petroleum hit by £600,000 fine
    Fiona Bond
    17.11.09
    AIM-listed Regal Petroleum was dealt a blow today after being fined a record £600,000 by the AIM Disciplinary Committee for breaching rules.
  • Stockbroker fined for insider trading
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.11.09
    A former Pacific Continental Securities stockbroker has been fined £24,000 for using inside information about an AIM-traded company to encourage his clients to buy its shares.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.11.09
    Budget airline easyJet flies into view on the corporate calendar today, joined by British Land and Burberry, among others. See what else is in store.
  • Christmas to halt house price recovery
    Rebecca Atkinson
    16.11.09
    Recent house price gains are expected to unravel over the next three months as people focus on Christmas rather than the home-buying process.
  • Commodities endure volatile week
    Fiona Bond
    16.11.09
    It's been a bumpy ride for the commodities sector over the past week, as the US dollar swung back and forth and buying interest was interspersed with profit-taking.
  • Falling platinum prices hit Lonmin
    Fiona Bond
    16.11.09
    Plunging platinum prices and South African mining inflation have taken a hefty chunk out of full-year profits at mining powerhouse Lonmin.
  • Fundraising sends Solo Oil's shares south
    Fiona Bond
    16.11.09
    Shares in Solo Oil plunged today after the company announced a placing to raise £6.4 million to buy a 12.5% stake in Tanzanian oil well Likonde-1.
  • Gas discovery boosts Victoria Oil & Gas
    Fiona Bond
    16.11.09
    AIM-listed Victoria Oil and Gas piqued investor interest on Monday after discovering gas-bearing sandstone at its Logbaba project in Cameroon.
  • Persimmon stokes housing market hopes
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.11.09
    Housebuilder Persimmon today stoked hopes of a recovery in the housing market with an improvement in third-quarter trading activity.
  • BA and Iberia agree to merger
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.11.09
    Struggling airlines British Airways and Iberia have agreed the preliminary terms of their merger to create the world's third biggest carrier.
  • Eurozone emerges from recession
    Fiona Bond
    13.11.09
    The eurozone economy has emerged from recession, official figures showed today, leaving the UK as the only developed country to still be in decline.
  • Firestone on sparkling form
    Fiona Bond
    13.11.09
    Firestone Diamonds was back on sparkling form today after revealing that its BK11 mine could come on line as early as next year.
  • The week ahead...
    Fiona Bond
    13.11.09
    Online retailer ASOS and high-end fashion label Burberry lead the way with announcements of their interim results. See what else is in store this week...
  • Copper prices buoyed by Asian data
    Fiona Bond
    12.11.09
    Copper prices were hotting up once again after positive Asian economic data spurred investor appetite for the base metal.
  • Cost cutting helps BT increase forecasts
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.11.09
    Telecoms giant BT Group today upped its full-year revenue and dividend forecasts amid plans to ramp up its cost-cutting drive by a further £500 million.
  • Dana to abandon Jetta well
    Fiona Bond
    12.11.09
    Oil exploration group Dana Petroleum will push ahead with plans to plug and abandon its Jetta wildcat well despite discovering oil in its sidetrack.
  • Rising oil prices could hit demand
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.11.09
    The rising price of oil could take a bite out of global demand with economies of developed countries remaining "fragile", the International Energy Agency has warned.
  • Shareholders give Nighthawk tough ride at AGM
    Fiona Bond
    12.11.09
    Shareholders piled into Nighthawk Energy's AGM on Thursday, as investors took the opportunity to grill the firm's management. Fiona Bond reports from inside the meeting.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    12.11.09
    British Gas owner Centrica and telecoms giant BT Group are the two big-name firms reporting today.
  • Forecast-beating half-year at Sainsbury's
    Chris Thomas
    11.11.09
    Shoppers continue to pile through the check-outs at Sainsbury's, helping the supermarket giant unveil expectation-beating profits for the six months to October.
  • National Express launches £360m cash call
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.11.09
    National Express today announced plans to tap shareholders for £360 million to pay off some of its £1 billion debts and give it extra breathing space on its loan repayments.
  • Stake increase boosts African Diamonds
    Fiona Bond
    11.11.09
    Exploration firm African Diamonds was riding high after being given the chance to increase its stake in the "world class" AK6 Botswana diamond project.
  • Tullow Oil on course for output target
    Fiona Bond
    11.11.09
    Oil powerhouse Tullow Oil is set to hit its yearly production target of 58,000 barrels of oil per day after a flurry of oil discoveries across its West African portfolio.  
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.11.09
    Supermarket giant Sainsbury's is the big-name firm reporting today, but see what else the corporate calendar has in store...
  • Barclays set to restart dividend payments
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.09
    Banking giant Barclays is planning to restart dividend payments next month despite rising bad debts knocking profits in the first nine months of the year.
  • HSBC eyes RBS and Lloyds assets
    Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
    10.11.09
    Banking giant HSBC today voiced its interest in acquiring parts of rivals Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds as it revealed expectation-beating results in the third quarter.
  • Test results boost Randgold Resources
    Fiona Bond
    10.11.09
    Gold miner Randgold Resources is charging ahead with plans to bring its Gounkoto project on line after tests revealed "robust economics" that exceeded its expectations.
  • Vodafone to ramp up cost cutting
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.09
    Mobile phone giant Vodafone is stepping up its cost-cutting drive after its interim results came in line with expectations.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.09
    Banking giants Barclays and HSBC are likely to be hogging the headlines today. See what else the corporate calendar has in store for investors today...
  • Yell cries out for cash
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.09
    Yellow Pages publisher Yell Group is planning on tapping investors for £660 million to boost its balance sheet and help cut its £3.8 billion debt pile.
  • Cadbury urges Kraft deal "no" vote
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.11.09
    US processed food giant Kraft has launched its hostile bid for UK confectionary giant Cadbury, with the UK firm dismissing the bid as "derisory".
  • Fundraising joy boosts Nostra Terra
    Fiona Bond
    09.11.09
    Nostra Terra Oil & Gas found favour with investors today after announcing its joint venture partner Hewitt Petroleum has completed the fundraising for the pair's Hoffman property.
  • JKX facing greatest opportunities
    Fiona Bond
    09.11.09
    Exploration firm JKX Oil & Gas today said it is currently facing the "largest number of opportunities" in its exploration and development portfolios in the company's history.
  • Alworths rises from Woolworths' ashes
    Fiona Bond
    07.11.09
    Fiona Bond checks out the new chain of stores that are the spitting image of the much loved Woolworths - but have a different name of course.  
  • The week ahead...
    Fiona Bond
    07.11.09
    Banks are to continue their dominance of the headlines next week with the odd energy company and supermarket thrown in for good measure.
  • BA plunges to record loss
    Fiona Bond
    06.11.09
    Struggling airline British Airways' slumped to a record loss in the first half of the financial year as the recession continues to wreak havoc on the aviation industry.
  • Bad debts haunt RBS
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.11.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland today revealed heavy third quarter losses with bad debts continuing to plague the part-nationalised bank.
  • London Mining makes AIM debut
    Fiona Bond
    06.11.09
    Perseverance paid off for London Mining on Friday when it made its highly-awaited entrance to AIM, after embarking on an ambitious growth programme.
  • UKFI back in the hot seat
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.11.09
    The Treasury Select Committee gave the top dogs at UKFI another grilling after their last showdown in March.
  • What's in store...
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.11.09
    A dramatic week for the markets is unlikely to finish on a quiet note with Royal Bank of Scotland and British Airways both reporting today.
  • BoE boosts quantitative easing by £25bn
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.11.09
    The Bank of England has pumped another £25 billion into its quantitative easing programme and frozen rates at 0.5% in a bid to support the fledgling economic recovery.
  • ITV predicts ad pick-up
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.11.09
    Broadcaster ITV cheered investors with forecasts for a surprise rise in advertising revenue next month.
  • UBS hit with £8m unauthorised trading fine
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.11.09
    Swiss banking giant UBS has been slapped with an £8 million fine for failing to stop four employees carrying out unauthorised trades involving customer cash.
  • Vedanta sees signs of global recovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.11.09
    Mining giant Vedanta Resources was today forecasting better times ahead after efforts to ramp up production failed to offset the effect of weak metal prices earlier in the year.
  • What's in store...
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.11.09
    The Bank of England comes back into the spotlight on Thursday with all attention focussed on its next step on the quantitative easing front.
  • Gold on glittering form
    Fiona Bond
    04.11.09
    With gold hitting a series of record highs, Fiona Bond takes a look at the prospects for the precious metal.
  • High Street points to pick-up
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.11.09
    High street stalwarts Marks & Spencer and Next today pointed to further signs of a retail revival following stronger trading in recent months.
  • Main market plans boost Afren
    Fiona Bond
    04.11.09
    Oil and gas company Afren was storming ahead on Wednesday, after announcing plans to switch London's AIM market for the bright lights of the main market.
  • Mwana gears up for gold
    Fiona Bond
    04.11.09
    Mwana Africa's share price was given a healthy boost on Wednesday, after it received a $10 million injection for the Freda Rebecca gold mine in Zimbabwe.
  • Northern Rock still on rocky ground
    Rebecca Atkinson
    04.11.09
    Northern Rock says its financial performance is improving thanks to
    'encouraging' economic trends, but has warned that the number of mortgage borrowers falling behind with repayments is rising.
  • Banks to reveal state of play
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.11.09
    It's judgement day for Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds as the banks reveal the outcome of months of negotiations with the Treasury.
  • Barclays revamps its business
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.11.09
    It's all change at the top at Barclays as the banking giant looks to overhaul its structure and the responsibilities of its senior management team.
  • House prices rise further
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.11.09
    House prices continued on their uphill path for the fourth consecutive month in October, according to the latest survey from Halifax.
  • Nighthawk gets the gas flowing
    Fiona Bond
    03.11.09
    Oil and gas company Nighthawk Energy has announced its Xenia gas pipeline in the US is now fully operational and flowing at more than 650,000 cubic feet of gas per day.
  • What's in store...
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.11.09
    Today retailers come to the fore with interim results from Marks & Spencer and a trading update from Next.
  • Bailed out banks to be broken up
    Rebecca Atkinson
    02.11.09
    Three new high street banks could be created over the next four years following government plans to divide up the bailed out banks.
  • Dana's Tornado Prospect yields more oil
    Fiona Bond
    02.11.09
    Dana Petroleum is celebrating the discovery of oil and gas in its sidetrack drilled on the Tornado Prospect just off the coast of Shetland in the UK.
  • Dragon Oil bid fires up investors
    Fiona Bond
    02.11.09
    Oil and gas player Dragon Oil saw its shares soar on Monday morning, after announcing that majority shareholder Emirates National Oil Company has made a formal offer to acquire it.
  • RBS warns of significant asset sell-off
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.11.09
    Part-nationalised group Royal Bank of Scotland today warned it will have to sell off more of its assets than initially planned in return for receiving state aid.
  • Weekly commodities round-up
    Fiona Bond
    02.11.09
    Fiona Bond reviews a choppy week in the commodities sector as third quarter profits from the oil giants knocked investor confidence and precious metals prices slid.
  • Yell creditors back refinancing
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.11.09
    Shares in Yellow pages publisher Yell Group soared by 13% on Monday after the troubled group announced the requisite 95% of lenders had agreed its refinancing plans for its £3.8 billion debt mountain.
  • BP hit with record $87m fine
    Fiona Bond
    30.10.09
    Oil major BP has been hit with a record fine of over $87 million for failing to rectify safety hazards at its Texas City refinery in the US.
  • Barclays facing £130m losses
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.10.09
    Barclays is facing a potential loss of as much as £130 million following an alleged fraud at German fund of hedge funds K1 Group.
  • Media firms enjoy third-quarter boom
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.10.09
    Listed media companies saw a dramatic turnaround in fortunes during the third quarter of 2009 with the value of stocks rising by 33.5%, according to accountants Grant Thornton.
  • National Express drama takes a new twist
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.10.09
    The National Express drama stepped up a gear today after its largest shareholder voiced "serious concerns" about the lack of strategy at the firm.
  • The week ahead...
    Fiona Bond
    30.10.09
    It's a busy week in store on the corporate calendar, with results from Marks & Spencer, Next, British Airways and plenty more for investors to get their teeth into.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    30.10.09
    Pharmaceutical firm Shire and advertising giant WPP are the big-name highlights in an otherwise quiet day in the schedule.
  • Yell awaits final refinancing approval
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.10.09
    Struggling Yellow Pages owner Yell Group is waiting on two lenders to approve its refinancing plans for its £3.8 billion debt mountain.
  • BHP Billiton rides out AGM storm
    Fiona Bond
    29.10.09
    Leading figures at miner BHP Billiton faced a testing time at its AGM today. Fiona Bond reports from inside on the investors' outrage.
  • QinetiQ chief exec departs
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.10.09
    The chief executive of defense firm QinetiQ today became the latest senior figure to leave the group - hot on the heels of a stream of bad news for the firm.
  • Resilient Scott Wilson on the up
    Edmond Jackson
    29.10.09
    A resilient pre-close statement from property and business services firm Scott Wilson Group has led Edmond Jackson to target 150p or higher in the medium term for its shares - if the group's markets do not deteriorate.
  • US economy pulls out of recession
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.10.09
    The US economy came out of its longest and most severe recession since the 1930s in the third quarter, unofficial figures show.
  • Update: Lloyds soars on fundraising talks
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.10.09
    Shares in Lloyds Banking Group shot up after it confirmed it is in "advanced discussions" over alternatives to its participation in the Asset Protection Scheme.
  • What's in store today...
    Fiona Bond
    29.10.09
    Shell's third-quarter results come out today - hot on the heels of rival BP. As well as miner Kazakhmys, see what else is in store today...
  • Dana Petroleum unveils oil discovery
    Fiona Bond
    28.10.09
    Dana Petroleum today reported that it has discovered oil at its Jetta well in offshore Norway after spudding it earlier this month.
  • EU approves Northern Rock split
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.10.09
    The European Union gives the go-ahead for plans to split nationalised Northern Rock into a good bank and a bad bank.
  • Profits plunge at BG Group
    Fiona Bond
    28.10.09
    Tumbling commodity prices sent BG Group's third-quarter net profits plummeting by 44% despite higher production volumes and a firmer dollar.
  • Santander's UK profits go sky high
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.10.09
    Banco Santander's UK banking operations saw profits more than double for the year to date despite warning that the economy remains "fragile".
  • What's in store today...
    Fiona Bond
    28.10.09
    Following hot on the heels of BP's announcement it's oil company BG Group's turn in the spotlight today with its third-quarter results. See what else is in store.
  • BP profits fall, but beat forecasts
    Fiona Bond
    27.10.09
    Oil major BP was hit by sharply lower oil prices this year as third-quarter profits fell over half those just 12 months ago - but still managed to beat analysts' predictions.
  • Barratt warns over mail strike
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.10.09
    Housebuilder Barratt Developments is concerned that the ongoing postal strikes could hit its fundraising efforts.
  • Investors grow more hopeful of Yell debt deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.10.09
    Shares in Yell Group recovered much of their lost ground on Tuesday after investors became more optimistic that it will strike a deal to restructure its finances.
  • Lessons to learn at RAB Special Situations
    Edmond Jackson
    27.10.09
    Funds investors and stockpickers should find plenty of pertinent issues in today's announcement from RAB Special Situations Company on its investment policy, says Edmond Jackson.
  • New venture promise boosts mining minnows
    Fiona Bond
    27.10.09
    Smaller mining companies Ormonde Mining and Ariana Resources were storming ahead on Tuesday as optimism over their new ventures with their larger partners gathered pace.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.10.09
    Oil giant BP and household goods firm Reckitt Benckiser are the two major names releasing trading statements today. See what else is in store.
  • Aurelian Oil & Gas buoyed by gas deal
    Fiona Bond
    26.10.09
    Investor confidence in Aurelian Oil & Gas soared on Monday, after the company's 90%-owned subsidiary, Energia Zachod struck a gas supply deal with Kulczyk Investments.
  • B&B downplays split speculation
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.10.09
    Bradford & Bingley has played down suggestions it is to split into a good bank and a bad bank in the near future.
  • Barclays snaps up Standard Life Bank
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.10.09
    Barclays has snapped up Standard Life Bank in a £226 million cash deal as it looks to beef up its mortgage and savings operations.
  • FTSE 100 bosses carry on earning
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.10.09
    The bosses of FTSE 100 firms are still earning as much as in the pre-recession boom years, as companies raise their salaries to compensate for falling bonuses.
  • Fears over future of BA runway slots
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.10.09
    Shares in British Airways were on the slide today amid concerns it could have to give up some of its prized take-off and landing slots to get approval for its alliance with Iberia and American Airlines.
  • Is the correction around the corner?
    Edmond Jackson
    26.10.09
    Edmond Jackson reacts to today's news that investors feel more confident than at any time in the last three years by wondering if there is a moment of truth by way of a correction around the corner.
  • Weekly commodities round-up
    Fiona Bond
    26.10.09
    It was a week of baited breath in the commodities sector, as copper and zinc hit multiple months' highs and gold and oil teased the market with the promise of fresh peaks.
  • BSkyB AGM pushes the right buttons
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.10.09
    It was a high definition performance from BSkyB at its 21st AGM on Friday. Rhian Nicholson reports from inside the broadcaster's meeting.
  • BSkyB rides out the downturn
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.10.09
    Satellite broadcaster BSkyB has continued to ride high in the downturn, with stronger customer numbers boosting profits in the first quarter of the year.
  • Dry start knocks Hardy Oil & Gas
    Fiona Bond
    23.10.09
    Confidence explorer Hardy Oil & Gas took a severe hit this morning, following news that its drilling campaign had got off to a dry start.
  • Investors feel pain of property collapse
    Fiona Bond
    23.10.09
    The property game has led to financial pain for private investors as much as the industry professionals over the past year. Fiona Bond visits the London Property Investor Show to get the inside track.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.10.09
    The major oil players take centre stage with both BP and Royal Dutch Shell set for trading updates. See what else is in store this week...
  • UK GDP suffers surprise fall
    Rebecca Atkinson
    23.10.09
    The UK remains in a recession following a surprise 0.4% contraction in the economy between June and September.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    23.10.09
    The eagerly awaited third-quarter GDP figures are released today, while on the company front BSkyB unveils its first-quarter figures. See what else is in store...
  • Banks to draw up 'living wills' by year-end
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.09
    Several major UK banks will have drawn up 'living wills' by the end of the year as part of the City watchdog's plans to strengthen the banking sector.
  • Investors cheer Gulf Keystone's discovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.09
    Investors were today celebrating Gulf Keystone Petroleum's discovery of a "significant" low-gravity oil resource at its Shaikan-1 well in Iraq's Kurdish region.
  • Miners paint mixed picture
    Fiona Bond
    22.10.09
    Miners Lonmin and Anglo American today painted very different pictures of business in the third quarter, despite the recent boom in demand for commodities.
  • National Express issues profit warning
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.09
    Ailing travel group National Express has warned that its full-year profits are likely to miss expectations, as it looks to tap shareholders for extra cash before the end of the year.
  • OFT decision buoys pub groups
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.09
    Shares in pub companies recorded double-digit gains after the Office of Fair Trading cleared rules that force tenants to buy supplies from their landlords.
  • Oil price rises set firms up for 2010
    Fiona Bond
    22.10.09
    With the surge in oil prices showing no signs of stumbling, optimism levels for a strong 2010 are building at oil and gas companies Petrofac and Dragon Oil.
  • Retail sales flat in September
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.09
    Shoppers are still keeping their purse strings tight, as figures today show retail sales were flat for the second consecutive month in September.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.09
    Retail sales and an update from Debenhams bring the high street into focus today, with Anglo American and Petrofac among the other names reporting.
  • Bank could extend QE in November
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.10.09
    The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee could potentially expand its quantitative easing programme further in November, minutes from its October meeting suggest.
  • Cadbury's results put pressure on Kraft
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.10.09
    Chocolate maker Cadbury has piled the pressure on potential suitor Kraft after strong third-quarter trading led it to raise its revenue and margin forecasts.
  • City bonuses could hit £6bn in 2009
    Fiona Bond
    21.10.09
    City bonuses could hit £6bn in 2009 despite a stark warning from BoE governor Mervyn King that the cost of bailing out the banks will remain with the taxpayer for a generation.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    21.10.09
    Confectionery giant Cadbury releases its trading statement today, while Home Retail Group unveils its interims. See what else the day has in store...
  • Who has too much debt?
    Ken Fisher
    21.10.09
    There's no correlation between debt levels and stock market ruin, says Ken Fisher. If the UK became an economic powerhouse in the 1800s with four times the current US debt, there's no need to worry now he says.
  • Coal production boosts Xstrata
    Fiona Bond
    20.10.09
    Mining group Xstrata said its financial position remained positive following a strong third quarter, as a rise in coal production offset a drop in levels at its copper business.
  • Greggs cooks up expansion plans
    Fiona Bond
    20.10.09
    British high street bakery Greggs has served up plans for an additional 600 shops as it seeks to expand its presence across the UK.
  • Lloyds in further divestment move
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.10.09
    Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed plans to sell off part of its private client fund management business to Rathbone Brothers in a deal worth up to £35.4 million.
  • Qatari investors to cash in on Barclays
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.10.09
    Shares in Barclays were on the slide as its Qatari investors looked to pocket profits of more than £600 million from selling half of their stake in the banking giant.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    20.10.09
    Perennial headline-hogger Xstrata is joined by publisher Pearson in releasing a trading statement today. But that's not all, see what else is in store...
  • BP gets Iraqi oil field green light
    Fiona Bond
    19.10.09
    British oil major BP and Chinese oil producer CNPC have received the go-ahead from the Iraqi cabinet to develop Rumaila, Iraq's largest oil field.
  • Heritage-Genel merger hits further delay
    Fiona Bond
    19.10.09
    The proposed merger between oil and gas exploration companies Heritage Resources and Genel Energy has been left in limbo as the Kurdistan Prime Minister forms his new government.
  • M&A activity soars in property sector
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.10.09
    Mergers and acquisitions activity in the property sector shot up to the highest point for a year in the third quarter, according to accountants Grant Thornton.
  • Mortgage market set for shake-up
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.10.09
    Lenders will have to carry out tougher checks on borrowers' income including existing loans and spending habits before giving them a mortgage.
  • Petropavlovsk on track for gold output
    Fiona Bond
    19.10.09
    Russian gold producer Petropavlovsk remains on track to meet its full-year gold output target, after it ramped up production by 29% during the first nine months of the year.
  • Stagecoach eyes National Express takeover
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.10.09
    Bus and rail group Stagecoach is eyeing a takeover of rival National Express after its merger talks with the CVC Capital Partners-led consortium collapsed late last week.
  • BoA unveils $1bn third-quarter loss
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.10.09
    Bank of America has cut short the banking sector party with worse-than-expected net losses of $1 billion for the three months to September.
  • National Express deal hits the brakes
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.10.09
    Shares in National Express plummeted today, after the travel group's largest shareholder withdrew its offer for the business.
  • Oil drops from one-year high
    Fiona Bond
    16.10.09
    Crude oil dropped back from a one-year high today to break its longest winning streak since July.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.10.09
    It's a busy week on both the companies and economic front, with highlights including Cadbury and Anglo American. See what else is in store this week...
  • What's in store today...
    Fiona Bond
    16.10.09
    Clinton Cards and insurer Admiral are the highlights this side of the Pond in the corporate calendar, while Bank of America tops off the week's banking reports in the US.
  • Housebuilders facing major debt issues
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.10.09
    The UK housebuilding sector is facing a "wall of debt maturities" which could lead to serious problems with refinancing in the next three years, a report from credit agency Fitch has warned.
  • JJB directors set for £4.2m windfall
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.10.09
    Four directors of JJB Sports could be in line for massive share payouts worth up to £4.2 million if they succeed in transforming the struggling retailer's fortunes.
  • Mixed set of results for US banking giants
    Fiona Bond
    15.10.09
    It was a mixed bag of quarterly financial results from the top banks in the US today, as Goldman Sachs reported a strong recovery, but rival Citigroup saw profits tumble.
  • Profits up at WH Smith despite sales fall
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.10.09
    WH Smith was winning the fight against falling sales at its travel and high street stores, posting an 8% rise in full-year profit following a good performance from its travel arm.
  • Ricardo proves suitably thrifty
    Richard Beddard
    15.10.09
    Richard Beddard assesses the value of engineering consultancy Ricardo and, having survived his stringent research criteria, the firm becomes the latest member of his Thrifty 30 portfolio.
  • What's in store today...
    Fiona Bond
    15.10.09
    More US banking earnings and results from publisher Pearson and high street retailer WH Smith are among the highlights today. See what else is in store...
  • Xstrata abandons Anglo merger
    Fiona Bond
    15.10.09
    Mining giant Xstrata has abandoned plans to make a multi-billion pound offer for rival mining group Anglo-American after a fraught four-month courtship.
  • Bankers set for £5bn in bonuses
    Fiona Bond
    14.10.09
    City bankers came under fire today, as new figures showed they are set to receive a combined £5 billion bonus payout after a revival on the financial markets.
  • JPMorgan beats third-quarter expectations
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.10.09
    The banking sector is getting back to business with US behemoth JPMorgan Chase surpassing profit expectations for the third quarter of the year.
  • Miners report record output levels
    Fiona Bond
    14.10.09
    Record third-quarter production levels at mining giants Fresnillo and Rio Tinto drove the sector ever higher in trading on Wednesday.
  • Oil discovery lifts oil explorers
    Fiona Bond
    14.10.09
    Oil and gas explorers Faroe Petroleum and Dana Petroleum saw shares climb on Wednesday following an "important" oil discovery at the Tornado exploration project.
  • Parkinsons results boost pharma group
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.10.09
    Pharmaceuticals group Phytopharm today saw its shares soar 200% after reporting positive results from the early stages of its trials for Parkinsons drug Cogane.
  • RBS to sell off more than 300 branches
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.10.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland could sell off more than 300 of its branches in England and Wales to meet the demands of the European Commission.
  • Tornado discovery buoys Dana and Faroe
    Edmond Jackson
    14.10.09
    Oil producers Dana Petroleum and Faroe Petroleum were boosted today by news of a key discovery in the Tornado prospect. Edmond Jackson talks through what it means for investors.
  • Unemployment rises to 2.47m
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.10.09
    Unemployment increased by less than expected in the three months to August, but nevertheless stood at a fresh 14-year high.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    14.10.09
    Trading updates from Fresnillo, Diageo and Experian, as well as results from Burberry and Punch Taverns make it a busy day in store on the calendar today...
  • FSA to investigate Cattles' cash call
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.10.09
    The City watchdog is investigating allegations that the former directors of troubled sub-prime lender Cattles may have deliberately misled investors.
  • Gold prices continue to soar
    Fiona Bond
    13.10.09
    Gold's record breaking run showed little sign of abating on Tuesday, as the dollar continued to slip against major currencies.
  • Inflation hits five-year low
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.10.09
    The headline rate of inflation in the UK fell to its lowest rate in five years last month, according to official figures.
  • Steel industry set for revival
    Fiona Bond
    13.10.09
    Steel is in for a revival in fortunes, with two years of declines set to be largely reversed next year, according to the World Steel Association.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.10.09
    It's a busy day in the corporate calendar today, with Whitbread, BAE Systems and Diageo among a raft of firms updating the market.
  • B&B compensation fight 'will end by June'
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.10.09
    Almost one million former Bradford & Bingley shareholders will learn of the outcome of their fight for compensation by next June at the latest.
  • Cadogan unveils massive overhaul
    Fiona Bond
    12.10.09
    Oil and gas company Cadogan Petroleum has slashed its workforce and begun selling off equipment in a bid to overhaul the business and return cash to shareholders.
  • ITV search for new chairman goes on
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.10.09
    Troubled broadcaster ITV was forced to go back to the drawing board after its long search for new leadership was dealt a fresh blow on Monday.
  • JJB's rights issue back on track
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.10.09
    JJB Sports' £100 million rights issue is back on track after rumours over the personal finances of its executive chairman Sir David Jones led to the deal being postponed on Friday night.
  • RBS shareholders planning £9bn lawsuit
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.10.09
    Disgruntled Royal Bank of Scotland shareholders are planning a potential £9 billion lawsuit against ex-boss Sir Fred Goodwin and other directors of the part-nationalised bank.
  • UK profit warnings fall to six-year low
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.10.09
    UK profit warnings hit a six-year low in the third quarter of the year as the economic recovery takes shape, according to Ernst & Young.
  • Xstrata set to abandon Anglo deal?
    Fiona Bond
    12.10.09
    As the deadline approaches for Xstrata to make a formal bid for rival Anglo American, speculation is rife that the former is all set to walk away from the deal.
  • The week ahead...
    Fiona Bond
    10.10.09
    Defence giant BAE Systems and credit checker Experian are among the companies updating the markets in the coming week, while unemployment figures are sure to grab investors' attention.
  • Cheap oil soon to be a thing of the past
    Fiona Bond
    09.10.09
    The days of cheap oil are soon to be a thing of the past with global oil production at "significant risk" of peaking and then dropping off by 2020, a new report warns.
  • Indian firms outperform London markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.10.09
    Indian companies listed on the London Stock Exchange have been on stellar form this year - particularly on AIM, according to a recent data release.
  • JJB to launch £100m rights issue
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.10.09
    Struggling retailer JJB Sports is putting the final flourishes to a £100 million cash call to boost its finances and refocus its attention on the higher value end of the sports market.
  • UK becomes new global financial centre
    Fiona Bond
    09.10.09
    The UK has usurped the US as top global financial centre, buoyed by the relative strength of its banking and non-banking financial activities.
  • Carphone Warehouse beats forecasts
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.09
    Carphone Warehouse today said the demerger of its broadband and retail arms remains on track as it announced expectation-beating second-quarter results.
  • Ladbrokes to tap up shareholders
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.09
    Ladbrokes has become the latest London-listed firm to tap shareholders for cash in an attempt to reduce its debt pile.
  • Lloyds mulls record rights issue
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.09
    Lloyds Banking Group has been sounding out investors over a rights issue as it looks to withdraw from the government's Asset Protection Scheme.
  • Production update boosts Vedanta
    Fiona Bond
    08.10.09
    Shares in Vedanta Resources were on flying form today, following news that the company's iron ore production hit record highs of 3.3 million tonnes in the second quarter.
  • Sugar prices sweeten on demand fears
    Fiona Bond
    08.10.09
    Fears of a potential international shortage in the sugar market have sent prices shooting up to a near 28-year high in the past week.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.09
    Carphone Warehouse and Vedanta are among the highlights on the corporate calendar today.
  • Aviva to list in New York
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.09
    Insurance giant Aviva is to list on the New York Stock Exchange later this month.
  • Is the market ripe for new companies?
    John Mulligan
    07.10.09
    Listen to stock market veteran John Mulligan's latest podcast as he examines the fundamentals and asks: Is the market ripe for a renaissance for companies coming to the market?
  • Michael Page teaches a valuable lesson
    Edmond Jackson
    07.10.09
    Following Michael Page's third-quarter update, Edmond Jackson takes a look at the firm and says, having been overpriced for a while, it's a lesson in taking care with valuations on shares you hold.
  • Revamp to keep banks on their toes
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.09
    Banks will need to up their game to attract and retain customers when moves to clean up the current account market come into play, the Office of Fair Trading said today.
  • Revenue rockets at Nighthawk Energy
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.09
    Oil explorer Nighthawk Energy today buoyed investors with news it is "in a better financial position than at any time in its history" after notching a threefold increase in revenue.
  • Sainsbury's cautious on progress
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.09
    Sainsbury's today predicted a further slowdown in growth as falling inflation takes its toll on the group.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.09
    Supermarket giant Sainsbury's is the highlight as it updates the market on its second-quarter progress today, but see what else is in store.
  • House price rises "will reverse"
    Rebecca Atkinson
    06.10.09
    House prices gained a further 1.6% in September but some economists warn recent gains will soon be reversed.
  • Oil traders back dollar as gold price soars
    Fiona Bond
    06.10.09
    Reports which claimed the US dollar could be replaced as the international unit of currency for pricing oil were rubbished today - as gold hit a record price high.
  • RBS shareholders set for legal fight
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.10.09
    The Royal Bank of Scotland Shareholders Action Group is holding a public meeting this Saturday in London to discuss its progress in its legal action against the bank.
  • Tesco posts modest profit rise
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.10.09
    Supermarket titan Tesco reassured investors it is "well-placed for the global recovery" after unveiling a modest rise in sales and profit.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.10.09
    Food is in focus today as Tesco releases its interim results. Power solutions provider Chloride could also attract its fair share of attention if any bid news is forthcoming.
  • Banks to hold more liquid assets
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.10.09
    Financial institutions will have to hold significantly more in Government bonds and cash under tough new liquidity rules from the City regulator.
  • Mystery hangs over the tin market
    Fiona Bond
    05.10.09
    An anonymous investor has stoked the fury of tin investors by buying up vast amounts of the metal on the London Metals Exchange.
  • Nighthawk finds prey on the prairie
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.10.09
    Shares in Nighthawk Energy continued to notch up the gains after making strong progress on its Revere project in the US.
  • UK gets back to business
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.10.09
    The economic recovery is starting to gather pace, fuelling hopes that the UK could have returned to growth in the third quarter of the year.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.10.09
    Food will be at the forefront of investors' minds next week as Tesco and Sainsbury's update the markets.
  • EU concerns over BA tie-up plans
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.10.09
    Plans for a tie-up between British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia today hit a stumbling block after the European Commission warned that the deal could breach anti-competition rules.
  • House price recovery continues
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.10.09
    House prices are now at the same level as September last year, after the fifth consecutive month of increasing values.
  • Shareholders to 'give more to taxman'
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.10.09
    Shareholders could end up wasting millions more pounds by not taking advantage of the changes to the ISA limits coming in next week.
  • Xstrata told 'put up or shut up'
    Fiona Bond
    02.10.09
    Mining company Xstrata has given has been given until October 20 to make a formal bid for rival Anglo American or walk away for six months.
  • BAE Systems to face SFO investigation
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.10.09
    Defence giant BAE Systems will face a Serious Fraud Office investigation over allegations the firm resorted to bribery to secure a raft of overseas contracts.
  • Domino's on target to beat full-year view
    Fiona Bond
    01.10.09
    Third-quarter figures from Domino's Pizza again showed people are choosing take-away meals over eating out, with the firm also benefiting from rising online sales.
  • LSE in Turquoise talks
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.10.09
    The London Stock Exchange has entered into exclusive discussions with smaller rival platform Turquoise Trading.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.10.09
    Domino's Pizza is the big name reporting today, in what appears to be a quiet day in the corporate calendar.
  • Woolies set for Christmas return
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.10.09
    Collapsed high street chain Woolworths is set to rise from the ashes in all but name in time for Christmas.
  • A test of nerve
    Andrew Smithers
    30.09.09
    We know what went wrong in financial markets, but opinion is divided as to whether the response has been adequate. Andrew Smithers argues that only courageous political action will prevent a repeat.
  • Investors' appetite for metals set to rebound
    Fiona Bond
    30.09.09
    The worst is over for the mining industry and it's only a matter of time before investor appetite rebounds, according to players in the gold and minerals market.
  • Losses narrow at Gulf Keystone Petroleum
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.09.09
    Shares in oil and gas explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum continued on their forward march amid a sharp drop in first-half pre-tax losses.
  • M&S unveils improved figures
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.09.09
    Marks & Spencer fuelled hopes that the worst is over for the High Street, with sales of food and clothing picking up in the last three months.
  • Record quarter from FTSE 100
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.09.09
    The three-month period from July to September saw London's top share index notch up record gains as confidence returned to the markets.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    30.09.09
    Bastion of the High Street Marks & Spencer is joined by hedge fund manager Man Group in releasing a trading statement today. See what else is in store.
  • Barclays extends its empire
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.09.09
    Barclays is back on the acquisition trail as it cashes in on its rivals' efforts to sell-off their non-core assets.
  • UK second-quarter GDP revised up
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.09.09
    The UK economy contracted by less than previously estimated in the second quarter although the road to recovery remains rocky.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    29.09.09
    Newspaper publisher Daily Mail Group and Trust updates the market today, along with caterer Compass Group. See what else is in store...
  • BRIC to be a rock after the storm
    Iain Murray
    28.09.09
    The seeds of China's rise to power and the global financial system's near-destruction were sown long ago. Iain Murray explains where in the world you should invest in the aftermath.
  • Darling cautious on UK economic recovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.09.09
    Chancellor Alistair Darling warned it was "too early" to say if the UK had emerged from recession despite signs from forecasters that the recovery is underway.
  • FTSE 100 set for new faces?
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.09.09
    London markets could be in for a flood of new names with a number of well known leisure and retail companies seeking a listing in the coming months.
  • RBS to sell asset management division
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.09.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland is planning on selling putting its £50 billion asset management division up for sale in a bid to cut its dependency on the taxpayer.
  • Twenty-five years, not out
    Jim Levi
    28.09.09
    Just 26 companies from the FTSE 100's original starting line-up remain in the index after a quarter of a century. Jim Levi traces the changing face of the UK's leading index and looks at likely new additions.
  • British Airways unveils seat charges
    Tanya Powley
    25.09.09
    British Airways has unveiled plans to charge passengers a fee if they wish to choose their seats before they travel as part of its latest attempt to bolster its balance sheet.
  • HSBC boss heads for Hong Kong
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.09.09
    HSBC chief executive Michael Geoghegan is relocating from London to Hong Kong in February as part of the bank's strategy to focus on emerging markets.
  • ITV shares hit by Ball rejection
    Tanya Powley
    25.09.09
    ITV saw its shares fall almost 3% on Friday after announcing it had failed to agree a contract with Tony Ball for the chief executive post after months of negotiation.
  • Punch Taverns to sell over 300 pubs
    Tanya Powley
    25.09.09
    The UK's largest pub owner Punch Taverns has put more than 300 of its worst performing pubs up for sale, as the credit crisis places further pressure on the group.
  • The week ahead...
    Tanya Powley
    25.09.09
    Hedge fund manager Man Group and high street fixture Marks & Spencer are among the highlights in the corporate calendar in the coming week. See what else is in store.
  • LSE sees trading volumes tumble
    Tanya Powley
    24.09.09
    The London Stock Exchange saw a 43% drop in trading volumes in the five months to August, as shareprices plummeted during the financial crisis.
  • Losses widen at ailing JJB Sports
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.09.09
    Interim losses widened at troubled JJB Sports after a turbulent six months in which the retailer teetered on the brink of administration.
  • Minister calls for pay clarity
    Tanya Powley
    24.09.09
    City minister Lord Myners has called for the pay and identity of each financial services company's  highest earners to be identified in the latest attack on City pay.
  • Mitchells & Butlers toasts results
    Tanya Powley
    24.09.09
    Pub group Mitchells & Butlers said it expects to beat market forecasts for the current year after reporting an improved sales performance.
  • Northern Rock decision looms
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.09.09
    The Treasury and Northern Rock are close to agreeing the details of plans to split Northern Rock into a good and a bad bank.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.09.09
    Sportswear retailer JJB Sports and pub group Mitchells & Butlers are the big-name companies updating the markets today.
  • Banks should get back to basics, says FSA
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.09.09
    Banks could be lower return - but also lower risk - investments in the future, the chairman of the Financial Services Authority has said as he urged them to focus on their core functions.
  • Barclays' BGI sale gets EU go-ahead
    Tanya Powley
    23.09.09
    The European Union has given the go-ahead to the $13.5 billion takeover of Barclays' investment arm by US asset manager BlackRock.
  • BoE unanimous on latest decision
    Tanya Powley
    23.09.09
    Bank of England policymakers voted 9-0 to keep its asset purchase programme at £175bn and keep interest rates at 0.5%, minutes from September's MPC meeting.
  • Daily trading outlook - 23/09/09
    Asghar Hussain
    23.09.09
    Interactive Investor looks at the support and resistance levels on the FTSE 100, Dow Jones and gold today.
  • Jobs and horses
    Ken Fisher
    23.09.09
    Don't be misled by depressing jobs data, says Ken Fisher. Global employment will improve, he says, but after the recovery is well under way.
  • More housebuilders seek cash injections
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.09.09
    Barratt Developments and Redrow are the latest housebuilders to turn to shareholders for extra cash to help cut their debts and take advantage of land-buying opportunities at cheaper prices.
  • What's in store today...
    Tanya Powley
    23.09.09
    United Utilities takes the limelight on the company front, with the minutes from the Bank of England's latest rate decision the major economic announcement due today.
  • Construction firms fined for price-fixing
    Tanya Powley
    22.09.09
    Construction companies Balfour Beatty, Connaught and Kier are among 103 firms to be fined a total of £129.5m by the Office for Fair Trading for rigging bids for contracts.
  • JD Sports posts first-half profit
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.09
    JD Sports was on recession-beating form in the first half of the year, as the sportswear retailer posted a 14.5% rise in profit.
  • Lloyds in board reshuffle
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.09
    Lloyds Banking Group's board has seen an early reshuffle just two weeks in new chairman Sir Win Bischoff's tenure.
  • Miners leading the way in 2009
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.09
    Miners have outperformed their rivals in the UK since the start of the year, with the sector benefiting from the strong rally in commodities prices.
  • No timeline for bank stake sales
    Tanya Powley
    22.09.09
    The UK government has not set a timeline or revenue targets for the sale of its stakes in four of Britain's banks, allaying fears of a mass sell-off before markets fully stabilise.
  • Pound hits five-month low
    Tanya Powley
    22.09.09
    The value of the pound fell to a new five-month low against the euro on Tuesday, after the Bank of England warned sterling could fall further as a result of the credit crisis.
  • Trading in line at Imperial Tobacco
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.09
    Imperial Tobacco today cheered investors with a short, but upbeat, trading update despite defensive stocks falling out of favour in the burgeoning economic recovery.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.09
    Sports fashion retailer JD Sports is the big-name draw on the corporate calendar today, but see what else is in store...
  • Business failures fall in August
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.09.09
    Fewer businesses failed in August than at any other time this year, but numbers are still up on a like-for-like basis, according to figures from Experian.
  • House prices propped up by short supply
    Rebecca Atkinson
    21.09.09
    House prices are being supported by a shortage of property for sale, with Rightmove reporting the lowest stock levels for 18 months.
  • ITV rocked by bumper pay demands
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.09.09
    A number of major ITV shareholders have reportedly been left fuming after the frontrunner for the chief executive role rejected a £20m remuneration package for being too low.
  • Pension quality mark launched
    Rebecca Atkinson
    21.09.09
    BG Group and Marks & Spencer are among seven companies to be lauded for their work in improving people's confidence and understanding of workplace pensions.
  • RBS looks at fundraising options
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.09.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland is looking at alternative ways to raise funds to potentially scale back its involvement in the Government's Asset Protection Scheme.
  • British Land in Broadgate sell-off
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.09.09
    British Land has confirmed plans to sell off half its Broadgate Circle office complex to US private equity firm Blackstone to ease its debt burden.
  • Debt firms set for regulation?
    Tanya Powley
    18.09.09
    The government is launching a consultation into debt management companies which could see the sector become regulated.
  • Lloyds in talks over APS participation
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.09.09
    Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is in talks with the Government over changes to its potential participation in the Asset Protection Scheme.
  • Markets set for triple witching
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.09.09
    Trading on London markets could become more a little more volatile later today with the third triple witching of the year.
  • The week ahead...
    Tanya Powley
    18.09.09
    Defensive stocks and leisure companies will be the focus of attention in the week ahead along with Wednesday's release of the minutes from the Bank of England's September meeting.
  • Balfour Beatty seeks shareholder cash
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.09.09
    The construction and engineering group is planning to tap shareholders for £353 million to fund its purchase of US firm Parsons Brinckerhoff.
  • Change at the top in FTSE 100 reshuffle
    Tanya Powley
    17.09.09
    Rentokil Initial, Whitbread and property firm Segro are in line to join the FTSE 100 on Monday as part of its latest quarterly reshuffle.
  • Further discovery buoys Tullow's shares
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.09.09
    Shares in Tullow Oil were chalking up the gains on Thursday after it announced the discovery of a "significant" oil field in Uganda with the potential to be the largest in the basin.
  • High Street recovery stalls
    Tanya Powley
    17.09.09
    Hopes of an imminent revival of the long suffering High Street took a knock this week following a mixed bag of results from retailers and disappointing August retail sales figures.
  • Home improvements boost Kingfisher
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.09.09
    DIY retailer Kingfisher has seen its interim profits soar by a third as more cash-strapped homeowners looking to make improvements to their property rather than move.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    17.09.09
    B&Q owner Kingfisher and high street fashion retailer French Connection are the big-name companies reporting today. See what else is in store...
  • Barclays' risky assets get restructure
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.09.09
    Banking giant Barclays has announced plans to restructure $12.3 billion of credit market assets by selling them to newly established fund Protium Finance.
  • Lloyds may be forced to sell Halifax
    Tanya Powley
    16.09.09
    Lloyds Banking Group may be forced to sell Halifax as punishment for the state aid it has received, despite plans to sell its branch network Cheltenham & Gloucester.
  • TMT business failures could soar
    Tanya Powley
    16.09.09
    More than 2,000 technology, media and telecommunication businesses in the UK could go into liquidation in 2010, according to accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward.
  • Tullow boosted by Sierra Leone discovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.09.09
    Shares in Tullow Oil soared to the top of the risers' board after announcing that it has struck oil off the coast of Sierra Leone in a joint venture with US group Anadarko Petroleum.
  • Unemployment hits 2.47 million
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.09.09
    The number of people out of work has hit its highest level for 14 years at 2.47 million, official figures today showed.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    16.09.09
    Retailer Next takes the floor today with analysts expecting a resilient set of interim results.
  • Cost of living falls further
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.09.09
    Inflation fell to its lowest level for more than four-and-a-half years in August amid a dip in food prices and lower utility bills.
  • Debenhams anticipates higher profits
    Tanya Powley
    15.09.09
    Debenhams says it expects its full-year profit to be ahead of last year despite sales taking a knock from its store revamps.
  • Housing shortage boosts prices, RICS says
    Tanya Powley
    15.09.09
    A shortage of properties in London and the South-East of England helped house prices rise during August, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says.
  • Lehman Brothers: One year on...
    Tanya Powley
    15.09.09
    Exactly one year ago today Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, sending the world markets into chaos. But just what has happened to Lehman's former top dogs who were blamed for the collapse of the US bank?
  • Urgent action needed to avert another crisis
    Tanya Powley
    15.09.09
    Policymakers have failed to address problems at the root of the economic crisis - and these could lead to another meltdown unless urgent action is taken, a think-tank has warned.
  • Cadbury warns against Kraft deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.09.09
    Confectioner Cadbury is set to warn major shareholders that an "unappealing" £10 billion tie-up with US food giant Kraft would hinder its growth prospects.
  • House prices set for further falls
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.09.09
    House prices are in for further falls and will not get back to their 2007 peak for another five years, according to the Ernst & Young Item Club.
  • Tories eye up RBS and Lloyds investors
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.09.09
    Private investors could have a chance top up their shareholdings in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group if the Conservative Party came into power.
  • Tullow tops boardroom pay list
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.09.09
    Oil exploration group Tullow Oil has the best paid boardroom in the FTSE 100, with its 11 directors sharing more than £59 million last year.
  • Are luxury goods next for comeback?
    Tanya Powley
    11.09.09
    Luxury brand retailers have been hit hard by the economic turmoil but investment managers are predicting a bright outlook as many companies look east for future profits.
  • The week ahead...
    Tanya Powley
    11.09.09
    Retailers will be grabbing the headlines in the week ahead as a raft of reports and updates come from the sector. See what else is in store this week...
  • Wetherspoon to consider financing options
    Tanya Powley
    11.09.09
    Pub group JD Wetherspoon said it was considering all options for refinancing after it reported full-year underlying pre-tax profit ahead of market expectations on Friday.
  • BoE maintains interest rates and QE
    Chris Thomas
    10.09.09
    Interest rates were kept at 0.5% for the sixth consecutive month today, as the Bank of England also maintained its current level of quantitative easing.
  • House prices edge up in August
    Tanya Powley
    10.09.09
    House prices inched up 0.8% in August, reported mortgage lender Halifax today, notching the second successive monthly gain.
  • Profits soar at Morrisons
    Tanya Powley
    10.09.09
    Supermarket chain Morrison posted a 42% surge in pre-tax profits for the first half of the year after attracting a million new customers in the past two years.
  • Thrifty stocks for tricky times
    Interactive Investor News Team
    10.09.09
    Interactive Investor unveils its new model portfolio - "The Thrifty 30", with companies and markets editor Richard Beddard taking the helm.
  • Bid war could sweeten Cadbury
    Steve McDowell
    09.09.09
    Choco wars were on the brink of breaking out this morning following an escalation in the bidding for British confectioner Cadbury between global candy superpowers.
  • Cheer as IPO market shows green shoots
    John Mulligan
    09.09.09
    Drug development firm Bridge BioResearch is set to float on PLUS at the end of the month, fuelling hopes of increased IPO activity. John Mulligan investigates.
  • Barclays hit by £2.45m FSA fine
    Chris Thomas
    08.09.09
    Banking giant Barclays has been fined £2.45 million by the Financial Services Authority for its failure to provide accurate transaction reports for its traders.
  • Gold breaks $1,000 barrier
    Tanya Powley
    08.09.09
    Weakness in the US dollar helped gold soar through the psychologically key level of $1,000 an ounce on Tuesday.
  • Sales on high street fall back
    Chris Thomas
    08.09.09
    Sales on the high street fell back in August - breaking the recent run of increases, the latest British Retail Consortium retail sales monitor showed today.
  • T-Mobile-Orange merger "good for market"
    Tanya Powley
    08.09.09
    The merger of T-Mobile UK and Orange UK to create the UK's largest mobile-phone operator will result in a positive impact on the UK mobile-phone market, according to analysts.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    08.09.09
    It's a quiet-looking day on the company front, but housing and retail sales data is likely to drive the markets this Tuesday.
  • Banks could turn to taxpayers once more
    Tanya Powley
    07.09.09
    The taxpayer could be left to bail out more banks after ministers at the G20 insisted banks must raise more capital to shore up their balance sheets.
  • Barclays fights PPI ban
    Rebecca Atkinson
    07.09.09
    Barclays' legal challenge against the banning of controversial payment protection insurance will be heard this week.
  • Miners buoyed by Lonmin rumours
    Tanya Powley
    07.09.09
    Shares in the mining sector were given a shot in the arm today by speculation that Xstrata was looking to launch a takeover for rival Lonmin.
  • Oil edges up as gold slips
    Tanya Powley
    07.09.09
    Oil inched above $68 on Monday, but gold slipped back from the six-month high it hit last week.
  • Whitbread confident despite sales drop
    Tanya Powley
    07.09.09
    Hotel and pub group Whitbread reported a 2.6% slump in first-half like-for-like sales, but remained confident full-year results would be at the top-end of forecasts.
  • Yell acquisition gets investors yapping
    Tanya Powley
    07.09.09
    Directories group Yell has boosted investors' confidence following the recent acquisition of an US online directory services group.
  • Gold heads toward $1,000
    Tanya Powley
    04.09.09
    Increased uncertainty over the economic recovery and a weakened dollar has helped gold push towards the $1,000 barrier.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    04.09.09
    A quiet week on the corporate calendar is punctuated by retailer Associated British Foods and a stream of economic data.
  • Exploration shares to benefit from BP find
    Tanya Powley
    03.09.09
    Investors will be exploring the small and mid-sized oil exploration sector for themselves following BP's discovery in its fields in the Gulf of Mexico, analysts predict.
  • Full-year profit slides at Go-Ahead
    Tanya Powley
    03.09.09
    Profit at transport group Go-Ahead slumped by more than half in the full-year to the end of June, but said its results were slightly ahead of its expectations.
  • Japan funds to thrive under new regime
    Tanya Powley
    03.09.09
    Japan funds could receive an overdue inflow of investment cash following the country's first change of political outlook in half a century, experts say.
  • SRI funds "holding up" social businesses
    Tanya Powley
    03.09.09
    SRI funds are holding back the development of smaller, younger social enterprises and businesses in the UK, according to a leading commentator on social business investment.
  • easyJet to cut flights from Luton
    Rebecca Atkinson
    03.09.09
    Budget airline easyJet has announced it will cut flights from Luton and close its East Midlands base, but says it remains on target to grow by 7.5% over the next year.
  • Lloyds' shares set for falls, say experts
    Tanya Powley
    02.09.09
    Shares in Lloyds Banking Group could fall by up to 40% if the bank goes ahead with plans to reduce its dependence on the taxpayer, say industry experts.
  • Spreadbetters back oil to climb
    Tanya Powley
    01.09.09
    Financial spreadbetters were today forecasting a continued upswing in oil prices over the next month, as it climbed back above $70 a barrel today.
  • Commodities woe extends its reach
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.08.09
    Further tales of challenging trading emerged from the oil sector on Friday, as Dana Petroleum became the latest to feel the pinch of lower commodity prices.
  • Economy contracts less than expected
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.08.09
    Revised figures have shown the UK economy shrank less than expected in the second quarter, boosted by energy and manufacturing sectors.
  • Heritage Oil hit by possible merger delay
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.08.09
    Iraq-focused oil explorer Heritage Oil warned today an investigation by the City watchdog could delay its proposed merger with Turkey's Genel Energy International.
  • National Express dismisses takeover
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.08.09
    Transport group National Express has dismissed the £700 million takeover bid tabled by the CVC Capital Partners-led consortium in favour of a potential £350 million rights issue.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.08.09
    The shortened week brings with it little in the way of company news on the corporate calendar, but see what is in store in the coming week.
  • Company numbers reducing on AIM
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.08.09
    The number of companies moving to London's main market from AIM has been steadily increasing in recent years - and is expected to rise further, according to Deloitte.
  • Cost cuts cheer Kazakhmys investors
    Rob Mackinlay
    27.08.09
    Copper producer Kazakhmys today cheered investors with better-than-expected results following "positive demand" for the industrial metal and cuts to its production costs.
  • Diageo hit by poor whisky sales
    Rob Mackinlay
    27.08.09
    Lower whisky sales and a poor performance in Europe hit full-year results at Diageo, leading it to revise down its growth forecast for the coming financial year.
  • FSA calls for financial sector tax
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.08.09
    Taxing the financial transactions carried out by the banks could help to prevent excessive bonuses, the boss of the City watchdog claims.
  • National Express takeover edges closer
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.08.09
    Shares in National Express were on flying form today after the consortium circling the transport group swooped in with an improved offer.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    27.08.09
    Miner Kazakhmys and drink-making giant Diageo are among the reporting highlights today, with economic data on tap from both sides of the Pond.
  • Lower crude prices knock oil firms
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.08.09
    Slumping crude prices have knocked revenues at oil companies of late, but many should soon feel the short-term benefit as prices move steadily upwards.
  • RBS hit by losses at ABN Amro
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.08.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland was left nursing heavy losses in the first half from the parts of Dutch bank ABN Amro that it owns following its disastrous acquisition.
  • The bear is dead, long live the bull
    Ken Fisher
    26.08.09
    The bear market is over, says Ken Fisher. Market movements are pointing to a V he says and we're now entering a young bull market, he asserts.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.08.09
    Former penny stock Tullow Oil and miner Antofagasta are among the big-name companies reporting on Wednesday. See what else is in store.
  • Persimmon sees signs of stability
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.08.09
    Housebuilder Persimmon added to hopes of a recovery in the housing sector, reporting stronger sales and stabilising prices in recent months.
  • RBS curbs final salary pension
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.08.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland has scaled back its final salary pension scheme - months after former boss Sir Fred Goodwin walked away with a £342,500 a year pension for life.
  • Venture falls to Centrica
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.08.09
    Centrica has emerged victorious in its bid for North Sea oil producer Venture Production despite strong resistance from Venture's management.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    25.08.09
    Housebuilder Persimmon and oil explorer Cairn Energy both update today, with few other big names reporting.
  • Bovis wary of unemployment threat
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.08.09
    Housebuilder Bovis Homes saw further signs of stability return to the housing market in the first half, but warned rising unemployment could unsettle things once more.
  • Lloyds' shares rise on Resolution rumours
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.08.09
    Shares in Lloyds Banking Group soared on Monday amid reports it is in early-stage talks to sell its Clerical Medical business to Clive Cowdery's buyout vehicle Resolution.
  • Markets soar as economies start to recover
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.08.09
    Global markets have rocketed to 10-month highs after some of the world's biggest economies pulled out of recession and the US and UK stand poised to follow their lead.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.08.09
    Mining and oil heavyweights dominate the headlines this week, while the champagne could be kept on ice at drinks giant Diageo.
  • Lloyds reviews C&G decision
    Rebecca Atkinson
    20.08.09
    Cheltenham & Gloucester may live to see another day on the high street after Lloyds Banking Group said it was rethinking plans to close the 164-strong branch network.
  • Mortgage lending picks up
    Tanya Powley
    20.08.09
    Mortgage lending increased by a quarter in July as the housing market continues to show green shoots of recovery, figures show.
  • Oil and weak dollar boost gold
    Tanya Powley
    20.08.09
    Gold advanced for the third consecutive day on Thursday, with renewed weakness in the US dollar and rallying oil prices driving up the price of the precious metal.
  • Profits slump at Rio Tinto
    Tanya Powley
    20.08.09
    Mining giant Rio Tinto saw its first-half profit plummet by over 50% following the sharp fall in metals and mineral prices in the tough economic environment.
  • Sales boost for retailers
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.08.09
    High Street retailers were today celebrating a pick-up in business in July, as consumers continue to loosen their purse strings, according to official figures.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.08.09
    Miner Rio Tinto is the stand-out company updating the markets today, while investors will also be readying themselves for July's official retail sales data.
  • Bank split on QE decision
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.08.09
    The governor of the Bank of England wanted to inject a further £75 billion into the quantitative easing scheme in August but he was outvoted by other members of the Monetary Policy Committee.
  • Lloyds named largest lender
    Rebecca Atkinson
    19.08.09
    Lloyds Banking Group has been named the UK's biggest mortgage lender, closely followed by Santander and Nationwide.
  • More weak bank results predicted
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.08.09
    Shareholders should brace themselves for more weak banking results as rising impairment charges hit profitability, according to KPMG.
  • PwC uncovers more mistakes at Keydata
    Tanya Powley
    19.08.09
    The skeletons just keep coming out of the closet at insolvent investment firm Keydata, with the money of hundreds of clients not being properly invested in their plans.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.08.09
    Car dealer Lookers follows the footsteps of rival Pendragon as it reports today, while the minutes from the BoE's last interest rate decision may hint at future movements.
  • Inflation remains flat during July
    Rebecca Atkinson
    18.08.09
    A key measure of the cost of living remained stable in July, despite expectations that the rate of inflation would fall during the month.
  • Northern Rock delays bond payments
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.08.09
    Nationalised lender Northern Rock is putting the brakes on interest payments on a range of bonds as it attempts to rebuild its capital position.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.08.09
    British Land is the big name reporting today, while the latest inflation figures also come out.
  • FSA to investigate RBS-ABN Amro deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.08.09
    The City watchdog has launched an official review into the ill-fated acquisition of ABN Amro by Royal Bank of Scotland.
  • Rock restructuring concerns BSA
    Chris Thomas
    17.08.09
    The Building Societies Association has complained to the European Commission that Northern Rock's proposed restructuring plans would distort the mortgage market.
  • Ryanair ditches more routes
    Rebecca Atkinson
    17.08.09
    Ryanair has announced it is ditching the majority of its flights from Manchester Airport, blaming a dispute over landing charges.
  • Bad debts hit Bradford & Bingley
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.08.09
    Nationalised lender Bradford & Bingley plunged £160 million into the red in the first half of the year as bad debts piled up.
  • British Land shares up on bid speculation
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.08.09
    Shares in British Land continued to notch up the gains today amid speculation that it could soon be the subject of a multi-billion pound bid.
  • The week ahead...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    14.08.09
    Mining giant Rio Tinto and carmakers Lookers and Pendragon are among the big names reporting this week, while British Land again looks to hog a piece of the limelight.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    14.08.09
    The corporate calendar looks a little bare going into Friday, with no major firms in line to update the market.
  • Pru ups dividend after first-half showing
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.08.09
    Insurer Prudential has rewarded shareholders with a 5% rise in its dividend payment after its first-half performance exceeded expectations.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.08.09
    Insurer Prudential and travel operator Thomas Cook update the market today on what looks like a quiet day in the corporate calendar
  • FSA scales back bonus code
    Chris Thomas
    12.08.09
    The City regulator today announced its new remuneration code of practice at financial institutions, with the FSA watering down its initial hard-line policy changes.
  • Lloyds to sell fund management arm
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.08.09
    Struggling Lloyds Banking Group is selling its fund management arm Insight to Bank of New York Mellon in a £235 million deal.
  • Markets moving too quick, says BoE
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.08.09
    Stock markets could be getting ahead of themselves in pricing in interest rate hikes too early, the Bank of England has said.
  • UK dividends set to plummet
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.08.09
    Shareholders are set to see their dividend payments from UK-listed firms plunge by 13% this year, as companies hoard their cash.
  • Unemployment continues to rise
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.08.09
    Unemployment has hit its highest level in 14 years, with the recession continuing to force businesses to make cutbacks.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.08.09
    The latest Bank of England inflation report is likely to make for bleak reading, while there are also updates from Balfour Beatty, TUI Travel and more...
  • Friends agrees to Resolution deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.08.09
    Clive Cowdery's investment vehicle Resolution has made its first acquisition after Friends Provident finally agreed to a £1.86 billion cash and shares deal.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.08.09
    Friends Provident updates the market today - could it be its last as an independent firm? See what else is in store today...
  • Cattles in £70m lifeline
    Chris Thomas
    10.08.09
    Crisis-hit doorstep lender Cattles is selling off its invoice finance division in a £70 million deal to help the ailing firm pay off part of its debts.
  • Employment gloom starting to ease
    Faith Glasgow
    10.08.09
    The downturn in the UK job market is easing off after a spate of job losses earlier in the year, according to a new report.
  • Friends and Resolution talks back on
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.08.09
    Talks are back on between life insurer Friends Provident and investment buyout firm Resolution after the latter proposed a revised £1.9 billion takeover offer.
  • Lloyds to seek fresh shareholder cash
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.08.09
    Lloyds Banking Group is reportedly looking to tap shareholders for billions of pounds of fresh cash as it seeks to reduce its reliance on the taxpayer.
  • Bad debts overshadow RBS return to profit
    Chris Thomas
    07.08.09
    Part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland returned to profit in the first half of the year, but this was overshadowed by mounting bad debts and a grim outlook.
  • Sports Direct faces stores investigation
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.08.09
    Retailer Sports Direct is facing a full-blown investigation by the competition regulator over its purchase of 31 stores from rival JJB Sports.
  • The week ahead...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    07.08.09
    Life insurers Friends Provident and Prudential take their turn in the limelight, while miner BHP Billiton reports its full-year results. See what else is in store...
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.08.09
    All eyes turn to Royal Bank of Scotland today - the last of the big banks to report first-half results this week. See what else is in line today.
  • Aviva cuts dividend despite profit jump
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.08.09
    Insurance giant Aviva has slashed its dividend by nearly a third, despite reporting better-than-expected profits for the first half of the year.
  • ITV hit by advertising slump
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.08.09
    Broadcaster ITV slumped to a first-half loss as a sharp contraction in advertising revenue hit the group.
  • Interest rates held as QE is extended
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.08.09
    The Bank of England today pumped more money into its quantitative easing programme as it left interest rates frozen at a record low of 0.5%.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    06.08.09
    Struggling insurer Aviva, bookie Ladbrokes and broadcaster ITV are among the big-name reportees today.
  • Heavy first-half losses at Taylor Wimpey
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.08.09
    Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey was nursing heavy first-half losses despite issuing optimistic reassurances that trading conditions had seen an upturn recently.
  • Lloyds hit by bad debts at HBOS
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.08.09
    Mounting bad debts at HBOS have dragged Lloyds Banking Group to a loss for the first half of the year.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    05.08.09
    Part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group will likely be hogging the limelight today, as it becomes the latest bank to update the market.
  • Legal & General slashes dividend
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.08.09
    Life insurer Legal & General has slashed its divided by 45% as it seeks cash to maintain the robustness of its balance sheet during the economic downturn.
  • Losses widen at Northern Rock
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.08.09
    Losses widened at nationalised bank Northern Rock in the first six months of the year, after bad debts tripled from the same period last year.
  • Standard Chartered in £1bn fundraising
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.08.09
    Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered surprised the City today with a £1 billion share placing as it unveiled record pre-tax profits for the first half of the year.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.08.09
    Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered, insurer Legal & General and bookmaker William Hill are among the companies reporting today.
  • First-half profits halve at HSBC
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.08.09
    HSBC, Europe's biggest bank, saw profits halve to $5 billion in the first six months of the year after bad debts in its European, US and Asian operations soared.
  • Profits at Barclays hit by bad debts
    Chris Thomas
    03.08.09
    Profits at Barclays fell short of market expectations, as a surge in bad debts offset a strong performance from its investment banking arm.
  • Super-mutual set for business
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.08.09
    A new financial services "super-mutual" has formally opened after the FSA confirmed the merger between Co-operative Financial Services and Britannia Building Society.
  • BA announces quarterly loss
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.07.09
    Struggling carrier British Airways continues to be buffeted by "very challenging" trading conditions as it announed its first quarterly loss since privatisation in 1987.
  • Government's banking reforms slammed
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.07.09
    The Government's proposed banking supervision reforms were today slammed by a committee of MPs for failing to address the main weaknesses of the Tripartite system.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.07.09
    The limelight will be on just how bad the debts at Britain's biggest banks in the coming week, with the latest Bank of England interest rate decision also out on Thursday.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.07.09
    Ailing airline carrier British Airways and royal rat catcher Rentokil update the markets today, while the numbers are not expected to be pleasant reading at miner Anglo American.
  • BT results beat expectations
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.07.09
    Better-than-expected results at telecoms giant and good progress on its cost-cutting programme cheered investors in BT today.
  • Profits plunge 70% at oil giant Shell
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.07.09
    Second-quarter profits at Royal Dutch Shell plummeted 70%, as the oil titan struggled in the wake of lower oil prices and dwindling demand.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    30.07.09
    It's the turn of oil giant Shell to update the markets today, while other big-name reports come from BSkyB and AstraZeneca. See what else is in-line for today.
  • An ox in bull's clothing
    Ken Fisher
    29.07.09
    The UK is lagging in terms of its economic stimulus offering, says Ken Fisher. Looking to the Far East, he says China's well placed to lead the world into recovery.
  • Chocolate sales boost Cadbury
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.07.09
    First-half profits at confectionary giant Cadbury were boosted by a 10% in chocolate sales and growth in the UK and emerging markets.
  • UK profits up at Santander
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.07.09
    Banco Santander's UK banking operations saw first-half profits climb 30% amid improving conditions in lending and bad debts, the bank reported today.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    29.07.09
    Natural gas firm BG Group, confectionary giant Cadbury and car dealership Inchcape are among the big names updating the markets today.
  • BP's profits halve in second quarter
    Chris Thomas
    28.07.09
    Profits at oil giant BP more than halved in the second quarter, with dwindling demand and narrower refining margins hitting figures.
  • Bischoff named as new Lloyds chairman
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.07.09
    Sir Win Bischoff has seen off competition from the chairmen of Northern Rock and the London Stock Exchange to succeed Sir Victor Blank at Lloyds Banking Group.
  • Rock shareholders' fight continues
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.07.09
    Former shareholders in Northern Rock are set to take their fight for compensation to the House of Lords after losing their second challenge against Government plans.
  • Shake-up at UKFI as Kingman resigns
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.07.09
    UKFI, which manages the Government's stake in the banks, is set for a new senior management team following chief executive John Kingman's surprise resignation.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    28.07.09
    Commodities take the limelight today, with oil giant BP and miners Xstrata and Randgold Resources updating the market.
  • Small business lending concerns Darling
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.07.09
    Chancellor Alistair Darling has said he is "extremely concerned" that banks may be charging too much for lending to smaller businesses.
  • Stagecoach eyes National Express assets
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.07.09
    Stagecoach is in exclusive talks with National Express bidders CVC Capital Partners and the Cosmen family to buy up certain assets of the business if the proposed deal goes through.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    25.07.09
    Satellite TV provider BSkyB and publisher Reed Elsevier are among the company highlights this week, while consumer confidence and house price figures are also released.
  • Savers promised better protection
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.07.09
    Investors and small businesses who lose their savings due to an FSA-regulated institution going bust are set for better protection under new rules announced today.
  • UK economic contraction continues
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.07.09
    The UK economy remained mired in recession in the second quarter, although the rate of decline was slower rate than the previous quarter, figures reveal today.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    24.07.09
    Telecoms giant Vodafone updates the market today, all eyes will also be on the latest GDP figures and sparks are expected to fly at JJB Sports' AGM.
  • Carphone Warehouse demerger plans on track
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.07.09
    Plans to separate Carphone Warehouse's broadband operations from its retail division are steaming ahead with the demerger likely to be completed by March.
  • Retail sales pick up in June
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.07.09
    High street spending picked up in June, official figures show today, while B&Q-owner Kingfisher enjoyed a solid second quarter.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    23.07.09
    B&Q-owner Kingfisher comes into focus today, looking to continue its good first-quarter form, while the latest retail sales figures are also released.
  • FSA fines HSBC firms £3m
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.07.09
    Three HSBC firms have been fined over £3m by the City watchdog for failing to properly protect their customers' confidential details from being lost or stolen.
  • MPC voted 9-0 on quantitative easing
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.07.09
    All nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep its quantitative easing programme at £125 billion, minutes from its latest meeting show.
  • Sun shines on Next sales figures
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.07.09
    Summer has put a spring back into the step of retailer Next with warmer weather lifting sales and leading it to revise its profits forecast upwards.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.07.09
    Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline comes into focus as it updates the market today, while minutes from July's MPC meeting could give a clue as to the Bank of England's future plans.
  • City watchdog 'faces chop'
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.07.09
    The Financial Services Authority will be abolished and its powers given to the Bank of England under Conservative plans to strengthen the financial system.
  • British Airways to raise £600m
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.07.09
    Struggling carrier British Airways is looking to raise £600 million as it battles for survival in the recession.
  • Friends turns tables on Resolution
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.07.09
    Life insurer Friends Provident has proposed a merger with Resolution on its own terms after having rebuffed an advance from Clive Cowdery's buyout vehicle earlier this week.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.07.09
    A pick 'n' mix group of household names update the market on their progress in these trying times this week, including Vodafone, GlaxoSmithKline and Domino's Pizza.
  • Banks in for boardroom overhaul
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.07.09
    Greater transparency over pay and bonuses and more shareholder involvement were among the actions called for in the Walker report on corporate governance.
  • Pre-tax profits tumble at Sports Direct
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.07.09
    Retailer Sports Direct was left licking its wounds today, as heavy losses from investments and the weak pound sent pre-tax profits tumbling by 91%.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    16.07.09
    Pub groups Enterprise and Mitchells & Butlers update the market today, while Mike Ashley's Sports Direct announces its full-year results.
  • AIM activity remains muted
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.07.09
    Activity levels on the AIM remained heavily subdued as the recession rumbled on in the second quarter of the year, figures from Deloitte reveal.
  • Unemployment hits 14-year high
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.07.09
    Unemployment jumped by a record 281,000 to 2.38 million in the three months to May - its highest level since 1995.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    15.07.09
    Pub firm JD Wetherspoon updates the market, while the latest unemployment figures also come out today - with another rise forecast.
  • BA needs "fundamental" change
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.07.09
    British Airways bosses today warned that only "fundamental" change would save the troubled airline as they fought off criticism from shareholders over its cost-cutting plans at its AGM.  
  • Inflation falls to 1.8% in June
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.07.09
    The headline rate of inflation plunged below the Bank of England's 2% medium-term target for the first time in almost two years in June.
  • Long journey ahead for housing recovery
    Chris Thomas
    14.07.09
    Any recovery in the housing market is likely to take time, PricewaterhouseCooper has warned, while the latest RICS survey suggests more near-term optimism.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    14.07.09
    All eyes will be on the latest inflation figures which are out today, while it's a relatively quiet day on the company front.
  • Friends Provident spurns Resolution bid
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.07.09
    Insurance giant Friends Provident has spurned the advances of investment group Resolution, which offered £1.7bn for the group late last week.
  • UKFI warns on Government bank stakes
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.07.09
    UK Financial Investments today warned the sale of the Government's stake in RBS and Lloyds will be a "challenging" task as they sit on paper losses of £10.9bn.
  • Meldex on the ropes, but fighting back
    Edmond Jackson
    10.07.09
    Pharmaceutical materials technology firm Meldex International is fighting back with a successful restructuring following director irregularities.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    10.07.09
    Pub groups dominate the company calendar this week, while a raft of economic data will also keep investors on their toes.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    10.07.09
    Housebuilder Bovis is the latest in the sector to report today, as investor look for more signs of a housing recovery.
  • Housebuilders hopeful of housing upturn
    Chris Thomas
    09.07.09
    Housebuilders Barratt Developments and Redrow lent further support to hopes of an upturn in the struggling housing market with cautiously optimistic updates.
  • Interest rates kept at 0.5%
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.07.09
    The Bank of England today left interest rates at 0.5% and also maintained its quantitative easing programme at £125 billion.
  • Senior execs charged with $140m fraud
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.07.09
    The founder and senior executives of two brokerage companies previously listed on the AIM have been charged with running a $140 million "trans-Atlantic boiler room scam" in the US.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    09.07.09
    This month's interest rate decision comes today from the Bank of England, alongside updates from Associated British Foods and Barratt Developments.
  • Banking sector set for "super-regulator"
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.07.09
    A new super-regulator will be set up to monitor the banking sector with tougher penalties for misconduct and risk taking, the Government announced today.
  • Darling to unveil financial services revamp
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.07.09
    Health warnings on financial products, bigger capital reserves for the banks and a curb on bankers' pay could be among the proposals in the long-awaited financial services revamp.
  • Halifax figures indicate housing stability
    Chris Thomas
    08.07.09
    The housing market is showing further signs of stabilising with a slower quarterly rate of decline in the three months, according to the latest Halifax property survey.
  • Hopes stall for economic recovery
    Chris Thomas
    07.07.09
    Hopes of a return to economic growth were hit today, as data revealed manufacturing output shrank in May while an industry body warned that the economy remains "fragile".
  • Lessons of Madoff: Safety is in your hands
    Alexander Davidson
    07.07.09
    Rampant fraud in the financial crisis has highlighted the importance of protecting your money. Alexander Davidson says there's lessons to learn from Bernard Madoff.
  • Persimmon update points to housing stability
    Chris Thomas
    07.07.09
    Housebuilder Persimmon has fuelled hopes that the housing market is stabilising with improving sales rates improving and historically low levels of cancellations.
  • B&B shareholders to wait even longer
    Steve McDowell
    06.07.09
    Former shareholders in Bradford & Bingley face a further delay for possible compensation following the Government's £4.8m appointment of an independent valuer.
  • Friends completes F&C demerger
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.07.09
    Fund management group F&C Asset Management has gained full independence from Friends Provident after the insurer finally offloaded its 52% stake.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    03.07.09
    Given the recent downbeat economic data, hopes will be on the latest house price survey from Halifax, while the latest interest rate decision also dominates.
  • RBS chief agrees to pay concession
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.07.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland's chief executive Stephen Hester has agreed to a modest concession to his controversial £9.6 million pay package.
  • Strong response to Rio's cash call
    Chris Thomas
    02.07.09
    Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto has seen a strong take-up of its recent £9.2 billion rights issue, with proceeds set to tackle its debt mountain.
  • Cattles turfs out senior managers
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.07.09
    Struggling sub-prime lender Cattles has given several senior managers the boot after an independent investigation into accounting irregularities.
  • National Express loses East Coast franchise
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.07.09
    Shares in transport group National Express took a battering after the Government stepped in to take control of its loss-making East Coast rail line.
  • Stimulus "exit" strategy
    Ken Fisher
    01.07.09
    Although the consensus is that an economic recovery is on the cards, Ken Fisher says maintaining liquidity is the right move - for now.
  • UK economy suffers sharp contraction
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.06.09
    The battered UK economy suffered its biggest contraction since 1958 in the first quarter of the year, according to revised figures.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.06.09
    Music and DVD retailer HMV is among the big names report today, while on the economic front, the latest GDP figures come into focus.
  • Madoff gets 150 years for $65bn fraud
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.06.09
    Fraudster Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years behind bars after swindling thousands of investors out of billions of dollars in Wall Street's biggest ever scam.  
  • Banking system "finding its feet", says BoE
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.06.09
    The banking system is beginning to get back on its feet although it will "remain sensitive to further shocks for some time," the Bank of England says.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.06.09
    Retailer Marks & Spencer is expected to provide a rare show of resilience on the high street when it reports it first-quarter figures. See what else is in store this week...
  • What is the future for online stockbrokers?
    Matthew Wall
    26.06.09
    Following the shock announcement of Hoodless Brennan's withdrawal from the consumer online share dealing market, does this form of stockbroking have a future?
  • DSG International posts £140m loss
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.06.09
    Lower levels of consumer spending, restructuring costs and write-downs at its European businesses sent DSG International crashing to a £140.4 million annual loss.
  • FSA calls time on commission-based advice
    Interactive Investor News Team
    25.06.09
    Commission-based financial advice is set to become a thing of the past following proposals for a radical shake-up of the investment industry.
  • Rock failure could have been avoided
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.06.09
    The failure of Northern Rock, which has left thousands of shareholders battling for compensation, could have been avoided, says the Committee of Public Accounts.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    25.06.09
    DSG International is expected to announce a pretty bleak picture when it unveils its full-year figures today. See what else is in store...
  • Economic recovery "uncertain", says King
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.06.09
    The worst of the economic misery may be over but the recovery remains a long and "uncertain" path, according to Bank of England Governor Mervyn King.
  • Kesa lacking spark in recession
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.06.09
    Figures released today by Kesa show it has taken a heavy pounding in the recession, as cash-strapped consumers cut down on electrical products.
  • Next time it's different
    Barry Riley
    24.06.09
    Barry Riley explores what might happen to our investments when the economy recovers and the Bank of England raises interest rates.
  • RBS tops banking losses list
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.06.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland suffered the heaviest losses out of all lenders last year, according to the Banker magazine's Top 1000 World Banks 2008/09 survey.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    24.06.09
    Electrical retail rivals DSG International and Kesa both report today, while Stagecoach also unveils its finals.
  • Green shoots may harm regulatory reform
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.06.09
    The green shoots of economic recovery may hamper efforts for properly reforming the financial regulatory and supervisory system, the boss of the FSA has said.
  • Xstrata not giving up on Anglo
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.06.09
    Mining giant Xstrata is not giving up the fight for rival Anglo American, despite the latter's outright rejection of a potential tie-up last night.
  • RBS chief in line for £9.6m pay deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.06.09
    RBS boss Stephen Hester will be keeping a closer eye than ever on the bank's share price given the proposed structure of his new £9.6 million pay deal.
  • Taylor Wimpey cheers investors
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.06.09
    Taylor Wimpey shareholders are hoping for a reversal of the housebuilder's fortunes amid "ongoing stability" in the housing market and a healthier order book.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    19.06.09
    Electrical good retailers DSG International and Kesa are the pick of the companies reporting this week. Read more on what's coming up...
  • Banking reforms a must, says King
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.06.09
    Tension mounted between the Alistair Darling and Mervyn King last night, as the two presented contrasting views on the future of the regulatory system.
  • Sir Fred finally shreds pension
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.06.09
    Amid threats of legal action, former Royal Bank of Scotland boss Sir Fred Goodwin has finally bowed to pressure to cut the size of his pension pot.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.06.09
    Another quiet day in store according to the corporate calendar today, but Cadbury's update and retail sales figures will punctuate the inertia.
  • Sainsbury's in £445m cash call
    Chris Thomas
    17.06.09
    Britain's third-largest supermarket chain Sainsbury's has unveiled plans to raise £445 million in a bid to expand its reach.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    16.06.09
    Supermarket giant Tesco is scheduled to update the market today, while hospitality group Whitbread also updates on its progress.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    16.06.09
    There's another quiet day in store according to the corporate calendar, with an update from Sainsbury's the stand-out item.
  • CBI forecasts recovery in early 2010
    Rebecca Atkinson
    15.06.09
    The UK's economy may be stabilising, but people shouldn't expect a recovery until the beginning of next year, the country's leading business organisation has claimed.
  • Punch Taverns in £350m cash call
    Jim Moore
    15.06.09
    Pub group Punch Taverns is to tap its shareholders for £350 million in a bid to further cut its £4.6 billion debt mountain.
  • Should you invest in gold?
    Sarah Coles
    15.06.09
    Hold onto your hats, we're in a gold rush. But before you stock up on gold bars and mining shares, be aware it's not a one-way bet, warns Sarah Coles.
  • Barclays to sell BGI to BlackRock
    Chris Thomas
    12.06.09
    British banking giant Barclays has agreed the sale of it Barclays Global Investors business to US firm BlackRock for £8.2bn.
  • Rescue deal for West Brom
    Jim Moore
    12.06.09
    West Bromwich Building Society has been given a rescue deal that should secure its financial future.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    12.06.09
    Supermarket duo Tesco and Sainsbury's update the markets this week, while hospitality group Whitbread also reports.
  • Government set to bail out West Brom
    Jim Moore
    11.06.09
    West Bromwich Building Society is in line to be the latest financial institution to receive a Government-sponsored bail-out, according to reports.
  • Comeback kings return to FTSE 100
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.06.09
    London Stock Exchange, 3i Group and Wolseley are all set for a comeback to the FTSE 100, just one quarter after being relegated.
  • Rock investors fight on as Treasury mulls sale
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.06.09
    Northern Rock shareholders are stepping up their fight against the Government's compensation scheme amid rumours the Treasury is planning to sell the lender.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    10.06.09
    Bike and car parts retailer Halfords is the big-name company reporting today on another lull in the corporate calendar.
  • Heritage to step up to FTSE 100?
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.06.09
    Investors in Heritage Oil were today cheering its likely promotion to the FTSE 100 following news of its proposed merger with Turkish exploration group Genel.
  • The Dirty Dozen
    Chris Thomas
    09.06.09
    The last 18 months have seen the worst economic conditions for a generation. But who's to blame? Welcome to the Dirty Dozen...
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    09.06.09
    The latest housing and retail sales data take centre stage today on another quiet day in the corporate calendar.
  • Barclays' BGI sell-off gathers pace
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.06.09
    Barclays' plans to sell off its fund management arm, Barclays Global Investors, are steaming ahead following discussions with "a number of parties".
  • Shareholders snap up Lloyds' offer
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.06.09
    Shareholders came out in force for Lloyds Banking Group's recent rights issue with 87% choosing to take-up new shares.
  • Jim's Bull: The final day
    Jim Moore
    05.06.09
    It's the final day of the Challenge. Jim's back in profit but still a long way from his £5,000 target.
  • Jim's Bull: The final reckoning
    Jim Moore
    05.06.09
    It's been tough going at times, but the Challenge is finally over. Did Jim manage to double a notional £5,000 in two weeks?
  • Lloyds chairman apologises to shareholders
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.06.09
    Lloyds chairman Sir Victor Blank today issued yet another apology - this time saying to sorry to his shareholders for the financial losses they've suffered.
  • Rio ditches $19.5bn Chinalco deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.06.09
    Shareholders in Rio Tinto were today celebrating after the miner ditched a $19.5bn deal with Chinalco to launch an iron ore joint venture with rival BHP Billiton.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    05.06.09
    It's another quiet-looking week ahead in the corporate calendar, with data on house prices and retail sales among the highlights.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    05.06.09
    It's deadline day for shareholders at Lloyds to take up its compensation offer, with Carphone Warehouse and Fuller's reporting.
  • Down fast, up fast...
    Ken Fisher
    04.06.09
    Ken Fisher doesn't know when the stock market recovery will come, but he is predicting a wild ride when it does.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 8
    Jim Moore
    04.06.09
    It's day eight of the challenge and Jim is down but not quite out. Find out how he fares today....
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    04.06.09
    The Bank of England's latest interest rate decision will be taking centre stage today, in another quiet day on the corporate calendar.
  • Fears grow over banking rally as Barclays falls
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.06.09
    Shares in Barclays continued to fall on Wednesday amid fears that the end of the bank rally is nigh after one of its Middle Eastern investors looked to sell some of his holdings.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 7
    Jim Moore
    03.06.09
    Day seven of the challenge proved to be something of a washout. Can Jim pull off a remarkable recovery and double £5,000 by the end of the week?
  • BoE should be given more power
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.06.09
    The Bank of England should be given greater powers after the "tripartite" system of financial governance failed to spot the financial, peers have said.
  • Is the bull really back?
    Trevor Greetham
    02.06.09
    Two years of defensive asset allocation has served Fidelity's Trevor Greetham well, but he is now poised to leap back into equities. He explains when the time will be right.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 6
    Jim Moore
    02.06.09
    It was a bit of a bloodbath for Jim yesterday, but can he turn it around as he seeks to hit the £5,000 profit target in the remainder of the week?
  • Thy will be regulated
    Iain Murray
    02.06.09
    Excessive constraints on financial markets could stifle an economic recovery, says Iain Murray.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.06.09
    Retailer Kingfisher and waste management firm Pennon are the big names breaking up a quiet day in the corporate calendar today.
  • What's in store...
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.06.09
    Online sports betting firm Sportingbet and Northumbrian Water are among those reporting today.
  • FSA bonuses increase by 40%
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.06.09
    Staff at the Financial Services Authority pocketed £20m in bonuses in April - 40% more than the previous year.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 5
    Jim Moore
    01.06.09
    Day five of the £5,000 challenge proved a bit of a disaster for Jim. Can he turn it around by Friday?
  • Jim's Bull: Day 4
    Jim Moore
    29.05.09
    The final day of Jim's first week sees him shore up his gains following the calamitous foray into brewer Youngs.
  • Jim's Bull: The Weekly Wrap
    Jim Moore
    29.05.09
    Find out how our City hack has fared in the first week of his challenge to double £5,000 in a fortnight.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    29.05.09
    A relatively quiet week in the corporate calendar is punctuated by the latest interest rate decision, while the deadline looms large for Lloyds shareholders.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    29.05.09
    Final results from Black's Leisure and Severn Trent, as well as the latest consumer confidence figures, will all be of note today.
  • B&B leaves more out of pocket
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.05.09
    After the furore over shareholders being left out of pocket by Bradford & Bingley, those set for interest from its subordinated bonds are set to follow suit.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 3
    Jim Moore
    28.05.09
    The third day of Jim's £5,000 challenge proved to be a rollercoaster one, as brewer Youngs flopped, but Barclays came to the rescue.
  • Tate & Lyle cautious as profits dip
    Chris Thomas
    28.05.09
    Sugar and sweetener maker Tate & Lyle remains cautious on its outlook for next year, as "challenging" market conditions continue to knock profits.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    28.05.09
    Hedge fund manager Man Group reports today, with investors keen top see how it's coped in the economic downturn. See what else is in line for today...
  • Investors flee ailing Jessops
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.05.09
    Investors in camera retailer Jessops were running for the door after it warned shares are likely to be worthless as hefty debts and falling sales take their toll.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 2
    Jim Moore
    27.05.09
    Jim's second day wasn't helped by a distinct lack of movement on the markets, but Marks & Spencer did provide some relief.
  • Santander to re-brand British banks
    Rebecca Atkinson
    27.05.09
    Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley will soon disappear from the high street under a major re-brand by their owner Santander.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.05.09
    Northern Foods and Topps Tiles are among the reporting highlights on a quiet day on the reporting front.
  • Jim's Bull: Day 1
    Jim Moore
    26.05.09
    We've had the first day of Jim's £5,000 challenge. See how he got on...
  • RBS execs set for £5m bonus
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.05.09
    Four senior executives at Royal Bank of Scotland are in line for share awards worth £5m if they meet unspecified performance targets in the next three years.
  • The week ahead
    James Moore
    23.05.09
    Man Group, Tate & Lyle and United Utilities are among the companies reporting next week.
  • British Airways hit by 'harshest ever' trading
    James Moore
    22.05.09
    British Airways boss Willie Walsh today said he was dealing with "the harshest trading environment we have ever faced" as the national flag carrier plunged into the red.
  • Standard Life boss to join RBS
    James Moore
    22.05.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed outgoing Standard Life chief executive Sir Sandy Crombie as its senior non executive director.
  • JJB Sports on the attack as losses mount
    James Moore
    21.05.09
    JJB Sports boss Sir David Jones launched an attack on his predecessor and the press as the company unveiled pre-tax losses of £189 million.
  • Jim's Bull: The Challenge
    Jim Moore
    21.05.09
    What happens when a City hack tries to double (a notional) £5,000 on the markets in just two weeks? We're about to find out...
  • What's in store...
    Jim Moore
    21.05.09
    British Airways is unlikely to be flying high after its full-year results.  
  • Borsa blows LSE into red
    James Moore
    20.05.09
    The merger with Borsa Italian pushed the London Stock Exchange into the red last year, as Dame Clara Furse presented her last set of results.
  • Trader banned after boozy lunch
    James Moore
    20.05.09
    A trader has been banned for two years for trying to cover his tracks after a boozy lunch which could have left Morgan Stanley facing a $10 million loss.
  • What's in store...
    20.05.09
    Credit checking giant Experian and retailer Mothercare are among those updating the market today.
  • What's in store...
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.05.09
    Another brisk day on the reporting front sees the likes of British Land, Scottish & Southern Energy and Daily Mail & General Trust in the spotlight.
  • Inflation drops sharply
    Rebecca Atkinson
    19.05.09
    The official measure of the cost of living fell sharply in April, mainly as a result of cheaper energy bills and food prices.
  • Results round-up (19-05-09)
    Interactive Investor News Team
    19.05.09
    Retailer Marks & Spencer and telecoms giant Vodafone were among those who disappointed investors when they reported today.
  • Shareholders savage Shell
    James Moore
    19.05.09
    Shell today became the subject of arguably the biggest revolt over excessive executive pay yet seen in Britain.
  • Vodafone knocked by write downs
    James Moore
    19.05.09
    Write downs wrecked Vodafone's full-year figures today as its markets felt the pinch from the recession.
  • Lloyds taps investors as Blank quits
    James Moore
    18.05.09
    Lloyds Banking Group has detailed plans to raise £4 billion from investors a day after chairman Sir Victor Blank  said he planned to step down.
  • Property companies in demand
    James Moore
    18.05.09
    Property companies are being heavily traded after Big Yellow Group raised £32.9m through a share issue with speculation that more will follow suit.
  • What's in store...
    James Moore
    18.05.09
    Retailer Marks & Spencer and telecoms giant Vodfone are poised to reveal just how heavily the recession has hit full-year figures.
  • Barclays in talks to sell BGI
    Jim Moore
    15.05.09
    Shares in Barclays soared after reports emerged that the bank is in talks to sell its Barclays Global Investors fund management arm.
  • MPs blame bank bosses for crisis
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.05.09
    Banking bosses have been told they are as much to blame as the bonus culture for the downfall of some of the UK's biggest financial institutions by a committee of MPs.
  • Repossessions up in first quarter
    Jim Moore
    15.05.09
    The number of people losing their homes because they couldn't pay their mortgage jumped to 12,800 in the first three months of 2009.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    15.05.09
    Property firm British Land and retailers Marks & Spencer and JJB Sports are among the highlights in the corporate calendar this week.
  • BT to cut 15,000 jobs
    Chris Thomas
    14.05.09
    Telecoms giant BT today announced a further 15,000 jobs cuts over the next 12 months, as the firm reported a £134 million loss for the year.

  • Recovery in sight, say economists
    Jim Moore
    14.05.09
    City strategists and economists are increasingly confident that the recession is coming to an end, but warn a recovery is likely to be a long, hard grind.
  • Results round-up (14-05-09)
    Interactive Investor News Team
    14.05.09
    Telecoms giant BT unveils a new raft of job cuts and poor set of results, while engineer Invensys reported better than expected results. Read our results round-up.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    14.05.09
    Telecoms giant BT is the big-name draw today, while travel operator Thomas Cook and insurer Prudential also update the markets.
  • Barratt "cautious" on near-term outlook
    Chris Thomas
    13.05.09
    Housebuilder Barratt Developments remains "cautious" about trading in the coming months, but its latest update points to tentative signs of a housing recovery.
  • BoE points to slow recovery
    Rebecca Atkinson
    13.05.09
    The Bank of England says the economic downturn in the UK has started to moderate, but warns the timing of a full recovery is still uncertain.
  • Results round-up (13-05-09)
    Interactive Investor News Team
    13.05.09
    Supermarket behemoth Sainsbury's and property firm Land Securities unveil varying results today. Read our round-up.
  • Sainsbury's beats Q1 expectations
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.05.09
    Supermarket chain Sainsbury's today attributed its better-than-expected profits to its high profile "Switch and Save" campaign to pull in cash strapped shoppers.
  • What's in store today....
    Chris Thomas
    13.05.09
    Supermarket Goliath Sainsbury's and housebuilder Barratt Developments are among the firms updating the market today.
  • Spring buoys house sales and high street
    Rebecca Atkinson
    12.05.09
    April's sunny weather gave a boost to both the housing market and the high street, two areas particularly hard hit by the economic downturn.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    12.05.09
    Cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco is the big-name company reporting today, while retail figures from the BRC will indicate the state of the High Street.
  • Barclays receives more iShares bids
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.05.09
    Barclays is considering other offers for its iShares business, despite last month entering into a £3 billion deal with CVC Capital Partners.
  • HSBC unveils strong first-quarter results
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.05.09
    Banking giant HSBC today fuelled hopes of a financial sector recovery with improved first-quarter profits and record results in its global banking arm.
  • A deflation myth
    Iain Murray
    08.05.09
    Attempts to revive the economy through consumer spending have targeted the wrong enemy. Inflation, with its rising prices, is the real danger, says Iain Murray.
  • RBS hit by soaring debts
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.05.09
    Soaring bad debts dealt Royal Bank of Scotland a heavy blow in the first quarter of the year, as it posted a loss of £44 million.
  • Taylor Wimpey in £510m cash call
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.05.09
    Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is tapping up shareholders to the tune of £510m to help cut its £1.53bn debt pile.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.05.09
    Another week, another smattering of blue chip companies come to the fore to update recession-ravaged investors on the state of things.
  • US banks need more money
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.05.09
    Half of the US banks that underwent financial stress-testing collectively need $74.6 billion to battle a worsening economic climate.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    08.05.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland follows banking rivals Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group in reporting today, as the shortened week comes to a close.
  • Lloyds hit by impairment charges
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.05.09
    Shares in Lloyds Banking Group tumbled today amid a huge rise in impairment charges during the first quarter, with more losses on the cards.
  • Rates held amid £50bn economy boost
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.05.09
    Interest rates have been frozen  at 0.5% amid plans to reinvigorate the recession battered economy with a further £50 billion injection.
  • Stellar first quarter for Barclays
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.05.09
    A sterling performance from Barclays' investment banking arm offset rising bad debts of more than £2 billion in the first quarter.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    07.05.09
    The Bank of England's interest rate decision will be the biggest draw today, with Barclays and Vedanta also reporting.
  • Downturn worse than 1930s
    Rebecca Atkinson
    06.05.09
    A leading think-tank has warned the UK is facing the worse recession since the 1930s with the economy expected to shrink by 4.3% this year.
  • Losses soar at easyJet
    Chris Thomas
    06.05.09
    Investors in budget airline easyJet were reeling today, after it announced a half-year loss of £129.8 million.
  • Next upbeat on High Street recovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.05.09
    Fashion retailer Next revealed a better-than-expected picture of life on the struggling High Street after revising up its first-half sales and profit guidance.
  • Sage boosted by currency movements
    Chris Thomas
    06.05.09
    The UK's biggest software company today unveiled expectation-beating first-half results, helped by the weak pound.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.05.09
    British American Tobacco, easyJet and Sage are among the highlights from the corporate calendar today.
  • Standard Chartered hits 2009 highs
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.05.09
    Shares in Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered were soaring on Tuesday after it reported "record levels of income and profit" in the first quarter.
  • Will Obama learn?
    Ken Fisher
    05.05.09
    It's been a bumpy start for the markets under President Obama, but the quicker Obama learns, the stronger markets will become, says Ken Fisher.
  • "Bankers to blame" for financial mess
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.05.09
    Bonus-chasing bankers and the failure of the supervisory system are to blame for the meltdown of the financial system, the Treasury Select Committee has said.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.05.09
    Banks are back in the spotlight in the coming week, as Barclays, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland report.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    01.05.09
    The company calendar looks a little bare on Friday, with pest control firm Rentokil taking centre stage with its update.
  • Fundraising plans lift DSG
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.04.09
    Shares in retailer DSG International were flying after it confirmed plans to raise £310.6 million through a deeply discounted rights issue and share placing.
  • Have we hit rock bottom?
    Iain Murray
    30.04.09
    Did the rally in global stock markets on either side of the G20 Summit herald a new bull market in shares? While it would be foolhardy to categorically say yes, the signs seem to favour the optimists, discovers Iain Murray.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.04.09
    Drugs Goliath AstraZeneca and broadcaster BSkyB are among the big names reporting today...
  • Punch soars on restructuring plans
    Chris Thomas
    29.04.09
    Spirits were high at Punch Taverns as it reassured investors over its restructuring plans after sinking to a £122 million half-year loss.
  • Santander still riding high
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.04.09
    Waves of turbulence are still rolling through the financial sector but Banco Santander is riding out the storm better than most.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.04.09
    Oil giant Shell will be the centre of attention today as it follows hot on the heels of rival BP's results.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    28.04.09
    Insurer Friends Provident and pub chain Whitbread are among the highlights of a relatively quiet day on the company news front.
  • Government to hand back Rock by Christmas
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.04.09
    Nationalised Northern Rock could be back in private hands by Christmas as the Government looks to claw back some of its investment in the banking sector.
  • JJB Sports' creditors back deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.04.09
    JJB Sports escaped administration today after creditors voted almost unanimously to accept the new payment terms set out in the Company Voluntary Arrangement.
  • Boiler room fraud on the up
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.04.09
    Boiler room fraudsters luring private investors with the promise of high returns in difficult times, the City of London Police warned today.  
  • Is trust in financial services forever gone?
    Lucian Camp, CEO Lucian Camp Consulting
    24.04.09
    Given the decline in the financial services sector, Lucian Camp looks at how the boundaries of trust have been pushed between the sector and the consumer.
  • Recession deeper than expected
    Chris Thomas
    24.04.09
    New figures show that the recession is deeper than previously thought, with the economy shrinking by 1.9% in the first three months of this year - the largest fall since 1979.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.04.09
    A lull in the corporate results season comes to an end in the coming week with FTSE 100 heavyweights BP and Shell reporting.
  • Barclays confirms second-half dividend
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.04.09
    Barclays' shareholders were given reason to smile today after it confirmed dividend payments will be making a return in the second half of the current year.
  • Final salary pensions take Budget hit
    Ruth Emery
    23.04.09
    Startling new figures show that the Treasury will rake in an enormous £3.1 billion in 2012/13 from its pension tweaking in yesterday's Budget.
  • Northern Rock suffers in housing slump
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.04.09
    More households are over three months behind with their mortgage repayments at Northern Rock, as problems in the housing and credit markets persist.
  • "Upbeat" message from the BoE
    Rebecca Atkinson
    22.04.09
    The Bank of England has indicated that the interest rate is unlikely to fall any further amid positive evidence of a slight recovery in the mortgage market.
  • Bookies bet on red Darling
    James Moore
    22.04.09
    Alistair Darling is set to have punters seeing red in more ways than one, if the bookies are to be believed, writes James Moore.
  • Carphone Warehouse to demerge
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.04.09
    Telecoms firm Carphone Warehouse is ploughing ahead with plans to demerge its broadband business from its retail arm when the credit markets pick up.
  • Economic growth to return by end of 2009
    James Moore
    22.04.09
    Chancellor Alistair Darling has claimed that Britain's economy will return to growth by the end of the year - but economists immediately poured cold water on his forecasts.
  • Live: Budget 2009
    Interactive Investor News Team
    22.04.09
    All the news from the 2009 Budget live as it happens...
  • Mixed feelings for gambling firms
    James Moore
    22.04.09
    Shares in bookmakers soared after fears of a massive tax hike failed to materialise, but bingo companies got the blues after they were told to pay more.
  • Small businesses given lifeline
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.04.09
    Small businesses have been given more help to ride out the recession, in today's Budget including an extension to the lifeline for loss-making companies.
  • Britain slips into deflation
    Chris Thomas
    21.04.09
    The British economy has officially fallen into deflation for the first time in almost 50 years, as the Retail Prices Index turned negative in March.
  • Tesco posts record £3.13bn profit
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.04.09
    Supermarket giant Tesco has bucked the recessionary gloom with a record £3.13 billion profit - the highest ever posted by a UK retailer.
  • AIM activity shrivels up
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.04.09
    Activity on the Alternative Investment Market shrivelled up in 2009 with the first quarter of the year, according to Deloitte.
  • Budget 2009: Media expectations
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.04.09
    As the tension mounts ahead of Wednesday's Budget, the media has already begun to unveil what it expects to see.
  • Budget 2009: What the experts want
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.04.09
    With the Budget just around the corner, here's what the experts would like to see from Alistair Darling this year.
  • FSA accused of ignoring warnings
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.04.09
    A whistleblower has accused the Financial Services Authority of "apathy and complacency" over its monitoring of building societies.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    17.04.09
    Wednesday's Budget will take centre stage in the coming week, but big-name results from Tesco and GlaxoSmithKline will also be of interest.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    17.04.09
    Today signals the end of a relatively quiet week in the company release schedule...
  • Keeping safe is easy
    Ken Fisher
    16.04.09
    We should have seen a Madoff-like scam coming, says Ken Fisher, as every bear market bottom has one.  There are ways to avoid being a victim, though.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    16.04.09
    There is once again little in the schedule for company news today, with attention turning to Halfords when it releases its trading update.
  • Dividends on the up in FTSE 100
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.04.09
    Almost half of the 47 FTSE 100 companies which have reported results so far this year have upped their dividend payments by more than 10%, according to M&G.
  • New start for New Star chief
    James Moore
    15.04.09
    Interactive Investor Exclusive - Former fund management darling John Duffield is plotting a return to the business with new company Hyde Park Asset Management.
  • What does the Budget have in store for you?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    15.04.09
    Alistair Darling is due to deliver his Budget on 22 April. Moneywise takes a look at what measures he could introduce and what they mean for you.
  • Babcock unveils £150m contract win
    Jim Moore
    09.04.09
    Babcock International has announced a £150 million contract to provide engineering support to the UK's submarine flotilla.
  • Barclays confirms £3bn iShares deal
    Chris Thomas
    09.04.09
    Barclays has confirmed the £3bn sale of its iShares arm to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, with the bank funding 70% of the deal.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    09.04.09
    All eyes will be on the Bank of England today, while an update from recruiter Hays will highlight the impact of the downturn on the sector.
  • Where next for interest rates?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    09.04.09
    The BoE has ended its six-month long base rate onslaught, with the official interest rate frozen in April at 0.5%. But what next for rates - will stay frozen, fall further or rise?
  • Citibank unveils huge losses
    Jim Moore
    08.04.09
    Citibank International made £532 million of net credit losses in 2008, the bank's accounts published today reveal.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    08.04.09
    Another quiet-looking day on Wednesday will be punctuated by JD Sports' finals, which are set to overshadow its rivals performances.
  • JJB announces rescue deal
    Jim Moore
    07.04.09
    Shares in sportswear retailer JJB Sports were buoyed today by news a rescue plan has been agreed that could end its financial troubles.
  • New financing deal for Taylor Wimpey
    Jim Moore
    07.04.09
    Struggling housebuilder Taylor Wimpey was buoyed by news of a fresh financing deal that should stop it going cap in hand to shareholders.
  • PartyGaming buoyed by US settlement
    Interactive Investor News Team
    07.04.09
    PartyGaming shareholders look to have hit the jackpot after the company announced a legal settlement with the US authorities.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    07.04.09
    A quiet day on the company news front is punctuated by updates from easyJet and PartyGaming.
  • easyJet shares on flying form
    Jim Moore
    06.04.09
    Shares in easyJet soared in early trading, as the company confirmed that BT chairman Sir Michael Rake is to join the budget carrier's board.
  • G20 to inject $1.1tr into global economy
    Rebecca Atkinson
    03.04.09
    Leaders from the world's largest economies have pledged a $1.1 trillion cash injection to restore lending, economic growth and jobs.
  • RBS Rights Issue Action Group
    Chris Thomas
    03.04.09
    Join the Interactive Investor RBS action group, which seeks answers over whether shareholders are due compensation following the firm's rights issue.
  • Sir Fred considers reducing RBS pension
    Jim Moore
    03.04.09
    RBS chairman Philip Hampton has suggested that former boss Sir Fred Goodwin is contemplating voluntarily trimming his controversial pension.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    03.04.09
    The first full week of the month sees the latest Bank of England interest rate decision - which stands out as the highlight of a quiet week.
  • Hedge fund accused in Madoff's $50bn fraud
    Jim Moore
    02.04.09
    Fairfield Greenwich stands accused of deception and fraud for pumping billions of dollars into the corrupt investment empire run by disgraced financier Bernard Madoff.
  • Cattles needs £850m for bad loans
    Jim Moore
    01.04.09
    Doorstep lender Cattles needs to make up £850 million of additional provisions to cover bad loans, the company has admitted.
  • Speedy Hire soars after new loan deal
    Jim Levi
    01.04.09
    Tool hire firm Speedy Hire today announced the successful renegotiation of a loan plan and that it would meet analysts' forecasts, sending shares flying.
  • Analysis: B&B 2008 accounts and report
    Jim Moore
    31.03.09
    Jim Moore takes an extensive look at Bradford & Bingley's 2008 reports which show nationalisation prevented huge losses for the year.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    31.03.09
    Retailer Marks & Spencer will be taking centre stage as it releases its fourth-quarter update amid much shareholder unrest.
  • BAE under-fire over pay plans
    Jim Moore
    30.03.09
    Scandal hit defence contractor BAE Systems as it unveiled plans to award senior executives huge, pay rises.
  • This is not the bottom of the market
    Ceri Jones
    30.03.09
    Following one of biggest bounces in stock market history, Ceri Jones, asks the big question. Was that the bottom of the market? Probably not, she says.
  • Darling calls for tighter banking regulations
    Jim Moore
    27.03.09
    Chancellor Alistair Darling has told banks that they face tougher regulation to prevent a repeat of the financial crisis that has shattered the world's economy.
  • Dragon Oil profits up by a fifth
    Jim Moore
    27.03.09
    Dragon Oil has unveiled plans to capitalise on Bermuda's tax breaks by setting up a new holding company, after reporting profits had surged by a fifth.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    27.03.09
    High street retailer Marks & Spencer will provide yet another indicator of the state of the sector when it releases its update this week.
  • 3i under pressure as investments drop
    Jim Moore
    26.03.09
    Shares in 3i came under renewed pressure today, after the company warned that the value of its key investments have fallen sharply again.
  • Aviva boss receives pay hike
    Jim Moore
    26.03.09
    Aviva boss Andrew Moss took home an increased £2.2m package last year, in a move that will further enrage the private investor.
  • Can Obama end the US recession?
    Heather Connon
    26.03.09
    Is Barack Obama's healing touch enough to pull the US out of recession? Heather Connon investigates.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    26.03.09
    Retailers Kingfisher and Next will give further indications of the mood of the consumer when they report today.
  • HSBC to cut 1,200 UK jobs
    Chris Thomas
    25.03.09
    Banking giant HSBC is set to trim 1,200 from its UK workforce, it said on Wednesday.
  • Legal & General halves dividend
    Jim Moore
    25.03.09
    Legal & General - the one-time star of Britain's life insurance industry - has plunged into the red and announced that it was cutting its dividend in half.
  • Sainsbury's leads the way
    Jim Moore
    25.03.09
    Sainsbury's showed it is setting the pace on the high street by announcing healthy rises in sales as penny pinching customers snapped up its basics range.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    25.03.09
    Insurer Legal & General and clothing retailer are among the firms reporting today, while J Sainsburys releases its latest update.
  • Carnival cruises to profits
    Jim Moore
    24.03.09
    Shares in Carnival were riding the crest of a wave on Tuesday, as the cruise operator posted higher profits.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    24.03.09
    Inflation data out today is forecast to dip into negative territory, while Severn Trent's update will be in focus following Ofgem's latest report.
  • Arriva calls for directors' pay rise
    Jim Moore
    23.03.09
    Public transport company Arriva yesterday said its directors were significantly under paid and should receive pay hikes of up to 15%.
  • Inflation is the policy of last resort
    Ceri Jones
    23.03.09
    As the US and UK Governments run out of economic tools, they're faced with a stark choice: a repeat of the stagflationary 1970s or a repeat of the Great Depression.
  • Madoff UK employees furious with "silent" SFO
    Rhian Nicholson and Steve McDowell
    23.03.09
    The SFO is failing to conduct a thorough enough investigation into the London operations of Bernard Madoff's empire, an ex-employee has said.
  • Markets: The week that was (16-20/03/09)
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.03.09
    Banks were back on their rollercoaster rise and the economic picture was growing steadily gloomier last week, sending the markets all of a jitter.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.03.09
    This week's results from three of the biggest names in retail will shed some light on just how bad things are in the struggling sector.
  • Results round-up (19-03-09)
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.03.09
    Thursday saw better-than-expected results from insurer Prudential, reassurances from Thomas Cook and a rights issue from Inchcape.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    19.03.09
    After a dismal Wednesday for insurers, many investors' eyes will be on Prudential as it releases its full-year results.
  • What's in store today...
    Interactive Investor News Team
    19.03.09
    In a very quiet day on the results front, serviced office provider Regus and stamp group Stanley Gibbons are due to report on 2008.
  • FSA proposes "major changes"
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.03.09
    The City watchdog has proposed "major changes" in global banking regulation to help prevent a repeat of the crisis that brought many financial institutions to their knees.
  • Banks give JJB Sports debt extension
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.03.09
    Struggling retailer JJB Sports has been given more breathing space on its £60 million debts amid ongoing talks over the sale of its fitness clubs.
  • Cash-rich tech companies
    Ceri Jones
    17.03.09
    Technology is one of the few sectors where corporate balance sheets are strong and companies are cash generative. Business is booming, says Ceri Jones.
  • RBS board "misdirected" on Goodwin's pension
    Chris Thomas
    17.03.09
    Treasury minister Lord Myners today revealed he didn't know the details of Sir Fred Goodwin's RBS pension and that the bank's board "misdirected" itself.
  • What's in store today
    Interactive Investor News Team
    17.03.09
    The Financial Services Authority unveils its regulation reforms and unemployment figures are set to breach the two million mark.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    17.03.09
    Retailer Debenhams releases its latest trading update, with Friends Provident and SIG among the firms reporting.
  • Barclays in talks over iShares sale
    Chris Thomas
    16.03.09
    Barclays has confirmed talks over the sale of its iShares arm, while discussions are ongoing with the Government over joining its insurance scheme.
  • Oil falls as OPEC maintains production
    Chris Thomas
    16.03.09
    The price of oil fell by almost $2 per barrel on Monday, as investors digested the decision by OPEC not to cut production any further.
  • Results round-up (13-03-09)
    Chris Thomas
    13.03.09
    Friday 13th hasn't proved too unlucky for pub chain JD Wetherspoon, but Aga Rangemaster is feeling the effects of the downturn.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    13.03.09
    Updates from insurer Prudential and property firm Brixton will be among highlights this week, while the BoE's MPC also unveils minutes from its most recent meeting.
  • Wetherspoon attacks Government over tax
    Chris Thomas
    13.03.09
    Pub chain JD Wetherspoon attacks the Government for its "opportunistic tax grabs" today, despite posting a 2% rise in half-year profits.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    13.03.09
    Will Friday 13th be unlucky for pub chain JD Wetherspoon and cooker maker Aga Rangemaster?
  • Madoff bail revoked on guilty plea
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.03.09
    US financier Bernard Madoff, the perpetrator of the world's biggest Ponzi scheme, is facing a life in jail after pleading guilty to 11 charges linked to the $65bn fraud.
  • Morrison bucks recessionary gloom
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.03.09
    Supermarket giant WM Morrison today bucked the recessionary gloom with a 7% rise in profits and plans to take the chain from "national to nationwide".
  • Results round-up (12-03-09)
    Chris Thomas
    12.03.09
    Supermarket chain Morrison unveils healthy profits rise, while Home Retail Group remains hard hit by the economic climate.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    12.03.09
    Morrisons, Standard Life and Home Retail Group will all be in the spotlight today when they report.
  • BoE launches quantitative easing
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.03.09
    Efforts to get the economy back on track stepped up a gear today with the launch of the Bank of England's radical quantitative easing plans.
  • Forget financials, buy energy
    Ken Fisher
    11.03.09
    Financial stocks may look cheap, but it will be years before investors regain confidence in them. Ken Fisher says energy stocks are a much better bet.
  • Gold rush could presage crash
    Ceri Jones
    11.03.09
    Gold is widely perceived as a safe haven, and hedge against inflation, but there are two huge flaws in the bullish argument says Ceri Jones.
  • Results round-up (11-03-09)
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.03.09
    Tullow Oil reports its "best ever year", while Johnson Press and Savills saw profits tumble. Read our coverage of the firms reporting today.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.03.09
    Oil giant Tullow is expected to announce a healthy set of results, with PartyGaming, Costain and Johnston Press also reporting today.
  • Results round-up (10-03-09)
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.03.09
    Miner Antofagasta, baker Greggs, engineer Weir, and asset management group F&C are among those reporting today.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.03.09
    Miner Antofagasta, engineer Weir and baker Greggs all report, as well as the latest retail figures.
  • Lloyds shares get back on track
    Rebecca Atkinson
    09.03.09
    Shares in Lloyds pulled back from an early 15% slump on Monday after investors vented their disappointment over the price tag Lloyds is paying to insure £260bn worth of assets.
  • Results round-up (09-03-09)
    Chris Thomas
    09.03.09
    Miners Rio Tinto and Vedanta Resources announce varying deals, while housebuilder Bovis cuts its dividend.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    06.03.09
    Morrisons and Standard Life's results will be eagerly anticipated this week, as well as figures on the state of the retail sector.
  • British Airways set for more losses
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.03.09
    Further losses are on the cards for British Airways with revenues expected to dive 5% in the coming financial year as fewer premium passengers take to the skies.
  • Glaxo proposes pay shake-up
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.03.09
    GlaxoSmithKline is proposing to revamp its executive pay structure and bring in a claw back mechanism for bonuses.
  • Interest rates cut to all-time low
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.03.09
    The Bank of England today cut interest rates to a record low of 0.5% and embarked quantitative easing to bolster the economy.
  • Results round-up (05-03-09)
    Chris Thomas
    05.03.09
    Insurer Aviva announces big losses for 2008, while miner Kazakhmys scraps its final dividend.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    05.03.09
    It will again be the turn of the Bank of England to take centre stage today as it announces its latest interest rate decision.
  • ITV in cost-cutting drive
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.03.09
    Broadcaster ITV is pulling out all the stops in its cost-cutting measures after making a £2.7 billion loss last year.
  • Results round-up (04-03-09)
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.03.09
    Broadcaster ITV posts a £2.7bn loss for 2008, while insurer Old Mutual cuts its dividend after a hefty drop in profits.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.03.09
    Big companies reporting today include broadcaster ITV and wealth management firm Old Mutual...
  • Fighting for their lives
    Ceri Jones
    03.03.09
    UK life assurers plunged in February, as investors feared they'd have to raise more capital, but some are more at risk than others. Ceri Jones investigates.
  • Question time for UKFI bosses
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.03.09
    UKFI boss John Kingman and chairman Glen Moreno floundered under pressure from the Treasury Select Committee.
  • Results round-up (03-03-09)
    Chris Thomas
    03.03.09
    Housebuilder Persimmon was hit by a huge write-down last year, while embattled lender Cattles encounters more woes...
  • Shell ready to accept BG offer
    Chris Thomas
    03.03.09
    Global gas and oil giant Royal Dutch Shell looks set to accept an offer from BG Group for its stake in Australian coal seam gas explorer Pure Energy.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    03.03.09
    Housebuilder Persimmon's results will be in the spotlight today, but UKFI facing the Treasury Select Committee is likely to take centre stage.
  • Bad loans rise at Allied Irish
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.03.09
    Irish banking sector woes took a turn for the worse on Monday after Allied Irish Banks wrote-off €1.8 billion of bad loans in 2008, linked to the collapse of the property market.
  • Manufacturing output plunges 5.1%
    Chris Thomas
    02.03.09
    February's manufacturing purchasing managers' survey showed a 5.1% quarter-on-quarter drop in output for the final three months of 2008.
  • Private investors returning to markets
    Chris Thomas
    02.03.09
    Weak share prices are tempting small shareholders back into the stockmarket after months of turbulence, according to a report from Capita Registrars.
  • Results round-up (02-03-09)
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.03.09
    Today's results include huge losses from banking giant HSBC, while publisher Pearson enjoyed a considerably better 2008.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.02.09
    All eyes turn to HSBC's results this week, while there's also the Bank of England's rate decision.
  • Asset Protection Scheme launched
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.02.09
    The Government has thrown a further lifeline to banks with the launch of an insurance scheme for their riskiest assets.
  • Banks lose appeal against OFT
    Rebecca Atkinson
    26.02.09
    The attempt by banks to overturn a previous High Court ruling on bank charges has been quashed.
  • Banks will need more money, says King
    Chris Thomas
    26.02.09
    BoE governor Mervyn King today warned British banks were still in need of Government money, but said the Bank was powerless to stop the financial crisis.
  • RBS posts record loss
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.02.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland has posted the biggest annual loss in UK corporate history of more than £24 billion.  
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.02.09
    Focus will again be drawing sharply on banks today, as RBS unveil what is expected to be grim results, while the Bank of England bosses face a public grilling.
  • LIVE: City regulator in the dock
    Interactive Investor News Team
    25.02.09
    The probe into the murky depths of the financial crisis continues today with the Treasury Select Committee sinking its teeth into the big-wigs at the City watchdog.
  • News in brief: Police raid Anglo Irish HQ
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.02.09
    Police swoop on Anglo Irish's HQ, AIG seeks further Government aid Lloyds Banking Group could be released from Government interest charge, and more...
  • Profits tumble at Redrow
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.02.09
    Falling sales and lower prices have seen revenues and profits at Redrow plummet during the latter half of 2008.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    24.02.09
    It's a relatively quiet day on the reporting front, but news of AIG's request for more Federal money is sure to be a focal point.
  • RBS and Rock to unveil business revamps
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.02.09
    Beleaguered banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Northern Rock are set to reveal radical revamps of their business models to get their operations back into the black.
  • Searching for income
    Ceri Jones
    23.02.09
    This year we're likely to see the largest decline in dividends since 1942. Ceri Jones picks out the companies most likely to pay-out after the bloodbath.
  • Cattles' shares dive on profit warning
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.02.09
    Shares in doorstep lender Cattles nosedived by as much as 60% on Friday after it warned that bad debts will take a hefty chunk out of full-year profits.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.02.09
    Annual results from Lloyds and RBS will be sure to dominate the news this week, while the Treasury Select Committee also gets back in action.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    20.02.09
    Retail sales will again be eagerly anticipated today, while updates and results from Dechra and Prudential will also steal some of the limelight.
  • JJB's LifeStyle arm in administration
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.02.09
    JJB Sports has put its 77-store LifeStyle arm into administration after attempts to find a last-minute buyer proved unsuccessful.
  • The right time for rights issues?
    Chris Thomas
    19.02.09
    The onslaught of rights issues continues apace, as more of Britain's biggest companies tap up shareholders for cash to ward off recession.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    19.02.09
    Results from retailer Kingfisher, bookmaker Ladbrokes and drugs firm Shire will be among the big news today...
  • Lloyds bonuses to follow RBS capping
    Interactive Investor News Team
    18.02.09
    Bonuses at the newly formed Lloyds Banking Group are set to be capped as the Government moves to end the short-term reward culture at banks relying on taxpayer money.
  • Shareholder puts RBS in the dock
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.02.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland is being hauled before a small claims court by a disgruntled former QC who accuses it of being insolvent when it sold him shares last year.
  • Software to lead us out of recession
    Ceri Jones
    18.02.09
    It may be 2010 before the US leads us out of recession, but when it does IT, materials and energy are likely to be the main beneficiaries.
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    18.02.09
    Minutes from the last MPC meeting, as well as updates and results from Sports Direct and Millennium & Copthore Hotels will take centre stage today...
  • Darling sets limit on RBS bonuses
    Chris Thomas
    17.02.09
    Chancellor Alistair Darling has unveiled Government plans to cap bonuses paid out to staff by Royal Bank of Scotland.
  • Inflation falls to 3%
    Liam Tarry and Rhian Nicholson
    17.02.09
    Growth in the cost of living fell to 3% in January, sparking fears that the UK is sailing close to deflation.
  • L&G lifted by credit reserve boost
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.02.09
    Legal & General shares received a welcome boost in morning trading after the life insurer announced plans to double its credit default reserves to £1.2 billion.
  • News in brief: Inflation falls to 3%
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.02.09
    Inflation falls to 3%, Land Securities taps investors for more cash, Laura Ashley issues profits warning, Treasury jobs for ex-bankers, and more...
  • What's in store today...
    Chris Thomas
    17.02.09
    Inflation figures dominate the news today, while updates from Domino's Pizza and InterContinental Hotels will give further indication of the effect of the economic downturn.
  • Government reassurances lift Lloyds
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.02.09
    Shares in Lloyds Banking Group recovered from early losses on Monday, amid reassurances there are no current plans for nationalisation.
  • All change at the top of the LSE
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.02.09
    Former Lehman Brothers executive Xavier Rolet is to replace Clara Furse as boss of the London Stock Exchange.
  • Lloyds hit by £10bn HBOS loss warning
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.02.09
    Shares in Lloyds Banking Group haemorrhaged more than a third of their value on Friday after it warned of £10 billion of pre-tax losses at HBOS on Friday.
  • Rock shareholders lose High Court battle
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.02.09
    Former shareholders in Northern Rock have been left heavily out of pocket after losing their High Court battle against the Government's proposed compensation scheme.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    13.02.09
    Updates from InterContinental Hotels and Ladbrokes will lead the way this week, while minutes from February's MPC meeting will hint to the future for interest rates.
  • BT shares hit new lows
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.02.09
    Shares in telecoms giant BT hit a historic low on Thursday after pre-tax profits for the final three months of 2008 tumbled 81%.
  • Brown blames business model for HBOS demise
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.02.09
    Gordon Brown claimed today that it was HBOS' business model that led to its downfall rather than alleged problems raised by whistleblower Paul Moore.
  • News in brief: JJB Sports talks "positive"
    Chris Thomas
    12.02.09
    JJB Sports says talks with lenders are "positive", Darling sets Budget date, new construction orders fall 9%, mortgage lending at 34-year low, and more...
  • "V" is for recovery
    Ken Fisher
    11.02.09
    Ken Fisher looks at past bear markets and discovers they usually end in a V-shape. Holders of energy, materials, industrial and cyclical stocks should profit most.
  • Bankers grilled (Part II)
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.02.09
    The banking bonus culture came under fire in round two of the Treasury Select Committee's grill-a-banker as the current bosses of the nation's biggest banks faced the music.
  • Investment Trusts at huge discounts
    Ceri Jones
    11.02.09
    Investment trust prices are at their lowest relative to net asset value for twenty years. Ceri Jones investigates the trusts that promise most, for the least.
  • LIVE: Bank chiefs in the dock
    Interactive Investor News Team
    10.02.09
    Follow our live coverage of the banking chiefs and their grilling at the hands of the Treasury Select Committee.
  • Leading bankers express regret
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.02.09
    Sorry was the word of the day, as former bosses of HBOS and RBS faced the scrutiny of MPs over their roles in the banking crisis.
  • Barclays' bonuses drop as profit falls
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.02.09
    Falling profits have led banking giant Barclays to waive bonuses for executive directors and scrap its dividend for shareholders.
  • Bonus backlash prompts review
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.02.09
    The Government has unveiled a year-long review into rewards for bankers amid reports that part-nationalised RBS is to pay out almost £1bn to staff.
  • News in brief: Gold prices set for $1,000 mark
    Chris Thomas
    09.02.09
    Gold prices set to soar, pound hits three-week high vs dollar, job prospects bleak for 2009, number of new start-ups in sharpest decline for over 30 years, and more...
  • Barclays and Lloyds in bonus furore
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.02.09
    Barclays and Lloyds are poised to follow the lead of RBS in paying bankers and traders hundreds of millions of pounds in bonuses despite their precarious financial positions.
  • News in brief: RBS axes seven directors
    Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
    06.02.09
    Royal Bank of Scotland dismisses seven directors, manufacturing data continues to contract, oil falls below $41, and more...
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    06.02.09
    It will be banks once again taking centre stage, with Barclays this time likely to dominate proceedings with its results on Monday.
  • Interest rates cut to historic low
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.02.09
    Interest rates were slashed by another 50 basis points to a historic low of 1% on Thursday, as the BoE battles to stem the deepening recession.
  • RBS bankers set for huge bonuses?
    Chris Thomas
    05.02.09
    Bankers at part-nationalised RBS could still be set for huge payouts, despite European rivals heavily trimming their bonuses.
  • Financial media faces grilling
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.02.09
    Senior figures from the financial media faced MPs over their role in the banking crisis on Wednesday.
  • Interest rates set for record low
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.02.09
    Interest rates are set to reach another historic low on Thursday when the Monetary Policy Committee announces the outcome of its latest meeting.
  • Smaller companies at bargain prices
    Ceri Jones
    04.02.09
    Investors are divided on smaller companies. Although they fall hardest in bear markets and recover quickest in bull markets, the first six months after the inflection point is a dangerous time.
  • BP profits hit in fourth quarter
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.02.09
    Falling oil prices and unexpected losses at its joint Russian venture took a bite out of final quarter profits at oil giant BP.
  • News in brief: Bank bosses face grilling
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.02.09
    Banking chiefs face MPs over their role in the banking crisis, AIM saw no new admissions in January, construction industry shrinks again, and more...
  • RBS chief stands down early
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.02.09
    The chairman of troubled banking giant Royal Bank of Scotland, Sir Tom McKillop stepped down two months ahead of schedule today.
  • Barclays knocked on rating downgrade
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.02.09
    Barclays saw its shares slide after its credit rating was downgraded amid fears further losses could be on the cards.
  • Markets seeped in misery
    Chris Thomas
    30.01.09
    London markets gave up earlier gains with poor performances from the miners weighing on the index.
  • Miners hit by lower metal prices
    Chris Thomas
    30.01.09
    Miners were struggling to keep their heads above water on Friday, as lower metals prices and Xstrata's cash call caused panic in the sector.
  • Banks and autos send FTSE 100 down
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.01.09
    London markets were on a downhill slope on Thursday, as the banking and auto sectors relinquished some of their recent gains.
  • China marches on
    Lindsay Vincent
    29.01.09
    While western economies suffer from a debt hangover, China is awash with cash. Martin Lau, who manages First State Greater China Growth fund, tells Lindsay Vincent why domestic consumption will start to soak it up and oil China's growth engine.
  • Cookson turns to shareholders to cut debt
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.01.09
    Engineering group Cookson has joined the growing list of companies tapping shareholders for cash in a battle to reduce its £732 million debt in the fraught economic climate.
  • House prices fall further in January
    Rebecca Atkinson
    29.01.09
    House prices dropped further in January, with a further 1.3% fall in values during the month, with little sign of improvement on the horizon.
  • Step up to higher yields
    Jim Levi
    29.01.09
    Jim Levi delves into this month's annual corporate results and finds that income-seekers could be in for some pleasant surprises.
  • FSA bans two directors over mis-selling
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.01.09
    Two directors at notorious stockbroker Pacific Continental Securities have been fined and banned from top-level roles in the financial services industry by the financial regulator.
  • Rio Tinto rights issue on the cards?
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.01.09
    Mining heavyweight Rio Tinto has admitted a rights issue could be on the cards as it grapples with $39 billion worth of debt.
  • Hedge fund profits as investors lose out
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.01.09
    A US hedge fund has been making millions from falling bank share prices as many smaller private UK investors watch the value of the holdings plummet.
  • News in brief: Car industry lifeline
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.01.09
    The UK car industry gets a lifeline, the pound rallies, private sector pension schemes reveal heavy deficits, and more...
  • Barclays moves to reassure investors
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.01.09
    Efforts from banking giant Barclays to reassure investors over its financial health provided a much needed boost to its share price on Monday.
  • Conglomerates have their moment
    Ceri Jones
    26.01.09
    From publisher Pearson to engineering firm Costain, Ceri Jones says that conglomerates are showing that in difficult times, owning diverse business can be an asset.
  • Plunging profits send Wolseley south
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.01.09
    Plunging profits and rising debts resulting from a deteriorating housing market and the turmoil in the financial markets took their toll on building materials firm Wolseley on Monday.
  • SFO urged to investigate RBS "fraud"
    Chris Thomas
    26.01.09
    An investigation into the Royal Bank of Scotland's £12 billion rights issue has come a step nearer following complaints by members of the Scottish Parliament.
  • Barclays' share price plummets further
    Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
    23.01.09
    Shares in stricken bank Barclays were heading for their ninth consecutive day of losses on Friday, as fears over its future refused to disappear.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    23.01.09
    A relatively quiet week ahead will be disturbed by updates and reports from corporate giants BSkyB, Shell and AstraZeneca.
  • UK officially in recession
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.01.09
    The UK ploughed headlong into recession in the fourth quarter of the year - its first since the early 1990s, official figures revealed today.
  • Investors shun BT
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.01.09
    Shares in BT were losing ground after multimillion-pound charges in its struggling Global Services division.
  • Markets lose momentum
    Chris Thomas
    22.01.09
    More poor economic data from the manufacturing and car industry sent London markets back into the red on Thursday.
  • Barclays shares hit 24-year low
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.01.09
    Barclays shareholders were nursing heavy losses on Wednesday, after shares in the beleaguered bank plunged to their lowest level for 24 years.
  • Banks battered by RBS fears
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.01.09
    The turbulence continued in the financial sector today, amid fears that the likes of Barclays and Lloyds could have to go cap in hand to the Government once more.
  • Gaming: Let's play
    Ceri Jones
    20.01.09
    While cinema, music and television all struggle, the video gaming industry is enjoying a spectacular revival, says Ceri Jones.
  • Inflation falls to 3.1%
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.01.09
    Falling petrol prices, heavy discounting from retailers and the VAT reduction slashed consumer price inflation to 3.1% in December, official figures show.
  • Banks thrown fresh £300bn lifeline
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.01.09
    Banks have been thrown a fresh £300 billion lifeline from the Government in a desperate bid to get them lending to businesses and consumers again.
  • Barclays fails to recover lost ground
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.01.09
    Barclays' bid to reassure investors over its profit expectations failed to recover the ground lost in Friday's dramatic share price fall.
  • RBS shares plummet 70%
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.01.09
    Shares in Royal Bank of Scotland have plunged amid news it is set to reveal the biggest loss in UK corporate history.
  • Anglo Irish nationalised
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.01.09
    Trading in struggling Anglo Irish Bank was today suspended on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges after it was nationalised last night.
  • Compensation for some Equitable Life victims
    Rebecca Atkinson
    15.01.09
    The Government has unveiled plans to compensate some Equitable Life policyholders who had been hit by its near-collapse, but warned the recompense would be limited.
  • Discounting fails to stop retailers' slide
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.01.09
    Despite a wealth of discounts across the retail sector, consumers refused to play into the hands of shops, as more figures reveal the mire engulfing retailers.
  • January key to the year's fortunes
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.01.09
    January is the all-important month for determining how shares perform for the remainder of the year, according to the Halifax.
  • News in brief: JPMorgan profit tumbles
    Chris Thomas
    15.01.09
    JPMorgan profit slumps, European Central Bank cuts rates to 2%, hedge funds suffer their worst-ever year in 2008, 4,000 job losses at Motorola, and more...
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.01.09
    More festive trading results from the retailers will flood the market today, with High Street brands Carphone Warehouse, DSG International and HMV among those facing the music.
  • Brazil to be surprise of 2009
    Ceri Jones
    14.01.09
    Brazil's facing a slowdown in GDP from 5% to 2.5% in 2009, but that's the kind of problem the West would love. Investors are focusing on its young affluent population.
  • HSBC shares tumble to seven-year low
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.01.09
    Shares in banking behemoth HSBC plunged to seven-year lows on Wednesday, after analysts warned a cash call could be on the cards.
  • Ken Fisher buys the recession
    Ken Fisher
    14.01.09
    Investors shouldn't dwell too much on the economy, says Ken Fisher, stockmarket booms start well before recessions bottom. It's better to be a little early, than a little late getting into shares.
  • News in brief: China on the rise
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.01.09
    China moves up the rankings, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley to join forces, Man Group planning legal action against Madoff, and more...
  • Tesco stutters as High Street woe goes on
    Chris Thomas
    13.01.09
    Retail giant Tesco reveals its slowest like-for-like sales growth since the early 1990s, while BRC figures paint a dismal picture for the High Street.
  • What's in store today...
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.01.09
    Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey and supermarket giant Tesco are both back in the spotlight today as they release their latest trading updates.
  • Land of Leather in administration
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.01.09
    Retailer Land of Leather today announced it has called in the administrators after suspending its shares in late morning trading.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    09.01.09
    More trading updates from retailers and BRC retail figures will shed more light how well the sector performed over the Christmas period.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.01.09
    The Bank of England's record-breaking interest rate cut was the talk of the week. Here's what the experts had to say...
  • News in brief: SFO to investigate Madoff
    Chris Thomas
    08.01.09
    Bernard Madoff's UK operations to be investigated by the Serious Fraud Office, the Government denies it is set to print more money, US deficit at record levels, and more...
  • News in brief: Pound in biggest jump vs euro
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.01.09
    Pound sees biggest jump against the euro, US likely to remain in recession throughout 2009, new car sales plunge in UK, Bank of America seeks funding, and more...
  • Shoppers give retailers a headache
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.01.09
    Reticent shoppers proved a major headache for the High Street over the usually lucrative Christmas trading period with sales from major retailers reporting this week down on 2007.
  • Short-selling ban to be lifted
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.01.09
    The temporary ban on short-selling financial shares will be lifted in mid January, the City watchdog says.
  • Shareholders to be left in the dark?
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.01.09
    Shareholders in UK companies could be left in the dark after the ABI made it doubly easy for companies to plough ahead with cash calls without their approval.
  • An astonishing year in banking
    Ceri Jones
    02.01.09
    After the year banks have had, it's no surprise investors are shunning bank stocks but, says Ceri Jones, some of the building blocks for recovery are in place.
  • Shops face up to Scrooge's Christmas
    Ceri Jones
    02.01.09
    Retailing is grappling with the toughest conditions for 25 years. It's online supermarkets, discounters, fashion retailers and second-hand stores that are faring best, says Ceri Jones.
  • 2009: The experts' views
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.12.08
    With so much happening to a crumbling global economy in 2008, here's the experts' views for 2009.
  • Banks dive as recession looms: A 2008 review
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.12.08
    It was a year that made bankers cry, traders weep and private investors hang their heads in despair. Here's a reminder of how it went so wrong in the banking sector.
  • Housing data drags back markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.12.08
    There was no Santa rally on the London markets ahead of the Christmas break with yet more weak housing data coming from the US and the UK.
  • Market madness: A 2008 review
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.12.08
    It was a year that will stick in investors minds' for all the wrong reasons. Here's a brief reminder of the carnage that was 2008.
  • Markets limp along
    Chris Thomas
    23.12.08
    London markets limped along as the economic picture grew ever gloomier in the UK.
  • Targeting next year's winners
    Ceri Jones
    23.12.08
    Companies in the defence, insurance and construction industries with strong balance sheets, little debt, and earnings visibility should win in 2009.
  • Taylor Wimpey shares tumble
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.12.08
    Shares in Taylor Wimpey fell by 15% on Tuesday despite the housebuilder saying it is likely to reach an agreement with lenders over its debt by the end of the year.
  • UK economy shrinks even further
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.12.08
    The UK economy shrank by its largest amount since 1990 between July and September, according to the latest revised figures from the Office for National Statistics.
  • Markets missing Christmas cheer
    Chris Thomas
    22.12.08
    Despite the imminent arrival of Santa, there was little Christmas cheer to be had on London markets as they started the week poorly.
  • News in brief: BoE ignored "crazy borrowing"
    Chris Thomas
    22.12.08
    BoE deputy governor suggests the Bank wasn't prepared for the economic crisis, Jaguar to get cash injection, EDf cleared to buy British Energy, and more...
  • £6.4bn bonuses for City bankers
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.12.08
    City bankers at four big name firms are to share in £6.4 billion worth of bonuses this year, despite the worst year in banking for almost 80 years.
  • Fund managers see 2009 market recovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.12.08
    Almost two thirds of fund managers believe that the stockmarket is set to rise in 2009, according to the latest research from the Association of Investment Companies.
  • Madoff's alleged fraud adds to market drama
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.12.08
    The markets took a turn for the worse this week, despite interest rate cuts in the US and Japan, as Bernard Madoff's alleged $50bn fraud was uncovered.
  • US Government bails out carmakers
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.12.08
    The US Government has stumped up more than $17 billion dollars in loans to support the Big Three in its struggling carmaking industry.
  • Retailers on downhill slope
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.12.08
    Shares in many retailers were on a downhill slope on Thursday after the latest snapshot of life on the High Street revealed deteriorating conditions in the all important festive period.
  • News in brief: Oil production slashed
    Chris Thomas
    17.12.08
    Oil production slashed, Shock losses at Morgan Stanley, the leading US financial watchdog failed to heed warnings over Bernard Madoff, and more...
  • UK rates likely to continue falling
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.12.08
    UK interest rates are likely to come down further in the New Year, after the latest minutes from the MPC revealed all nine members voted for the latest 100 basis point cut.
  • Buy autos
    Ken Fisher
    16.12.08
    Governments should let the auto industry fail, but they won't says Ken Fisher. So what should investors do? Buy autos.
  • Environment: Buy the fundamentals
    Ceri Jones
    16.12.08
    Like most sectors, environmental stocks have been trashed recently, but that means large, quality companies with long-term contracts are now very cheap.
  • News in brief: Goldman posts first loss
    Chris Thomas
    16.12.08
    Goldman Sachs posts first ever quarterly loss, interest rates in US expected to be cut, IMF warns of global slowdown in 2009, and more...
  • Banks hit by $50bn Madoff fraud
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.12.08
    Beleaguered Royal Bank of Scotland has joined the growing list of institutions affected by the $50 billion alleged fraud of US hedge fund boss Bernard Madoff.
  • London markets lack direction
    Chris Thomas
    15.12.08
    London markets ended Monday fractionally in the red as investors awaited economic news from the US.  
  • B&B shareholders to recoup money?
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.12.08
    Bradford & Bingley shareholders may be able to claw back some of the money they lost following the nationalisation of the bank in September.
  • Banking sector rocked by bad debt
    Chris Thomas
    12.12.08
    Shares in banks were hit hard on Friday, with HBOS unveiling a further £3.2 billion hit on bad debt as shareholders approved its merger with Lloyds TSB.
  • Last gasp fear strikes markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.12.08
    Fear enveloped the markets late last week, after the US Senate's rejection of a $14 billion bail-out for the ailing car industry sent markets south.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    12.12.08
    The US interest rate decision on Tuesday is the major event of the week, as the corporate calendar readies itself for Christmas.
  • US carmakers on brink of collapse
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.12.08
    US carmakers are teetering on the brink of collapse following the demise of the proposed $14 billion lifeline for the struggling sector.
  • Markets peer through economic gloom
    Chris Thomas
    11.12.08
    London markets managed to inch into positive territory, despite more retail woes and continuing fears over the UK economy challenging investors' nerves.
  • News in brief: Lloyds-HBOS deal "not unlawful"
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.12.08
    Lloyds and HBOS merger deemed "not unlawful", Woolworths could see some of its stores shut, Carphone Warehouse's David Ross resigns from Big Yellow Group...
  • Cost cutting plans boost Rio Tinto
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.12.08
    Shares in Rio Tinto have soared following plans to cut thousands of jobs and reduce net debt by $10 billion.
  • Markets down as economy slumps
    Steve McDowell
    10.12.08
    London markets were losing ground as the UK economy shrank by more than expected in the three months to the end of November.
  • Markets continue to rally
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.12.08
    Markets built on Monday's gains amid hopes that further Government action will help to bring stability back to the global economy.
  • Russia in the frontline
    Ceri Jones
    09.12.08
    Highly indebted Russia is in the frontline of the credit crisis, and with oil prices heading below $40 a barrel, the Government must dip in to its reserves.
  • News in brief: Commercial property woes
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.12.08
    Commercial property on a downhill slope, the fight to keep HBOS independent hits the Competition Appeal Tribunal, oil prices rally and more...
  • UK shareholders "at risk"
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.12.08
    Thousands of UK shareholders could be targets by scammers after a database containing their details was found by Canadian authorities.
  • US plans boost markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.12.08
    Plans for a massive public works package in the US and a $4 billion rescue deal in India lifted global markets on Monday.
  • FTSE 100 in reshuffle
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.12.08
    Platinum mining group Lonmin and transport firm Stagecoach are among the FTSE 100 companies likely to be relegated to the second tier index next week.
  • Friday fear strikes the markets
    Chris Thomas
    05.12.08
    London markets spent Friday in the doldrums, as weak US jobs data sent jittery investors running for the hills.
  • News in brief: Oil prices "could plummet"
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.12.08
    Analyst Merrill Lynch says oil prices "could plummet", construction sector hit by economic downturn, homeowners to miss out on rate cut, and more...
  • Rate reduction can't ease the gloom
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.12.08
    Despite another interest rate cut from both the BoE and ECB, the markets failed to weather the financial storms.
  • Secret HBOS dossier comes to light
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.12.08
    A secret HBOS dossier, reportedly outlining how close the bank was to collapsing before Lloyds stepped in, has been unveiled in the appeal against the merger.
  • The week ahead...
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.12.08
    The economic picture could get a whole lot bleaker next week, as more data and retail figures are released.
  • BoE slashes interest rates to 2%
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.12.08
    Interest rates have been slashed to 2% in a desperate attempt to ward off the worst of the imminent recession.  
  • Markets give up gains
    Chris Thomas
    04.12.08
    Markets pared back earlier gains, as investors digested the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates to 2%.
  • More pressure on housing market
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.12.08
    The housing market came under further strain in November, with prices suffering their sharpest drop since the crash of the early 1990s.
  • New Star shareholders set to miss out
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.12.08
    Shareholders in ailing fund mangement group New Star are set to be left with next to nothing under plans to dramatically restructure the firm.
  • Banking reforms outlined
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.12.08
    Tougher legislation to "improve the resilience of the financial sector" and ensure banking customers are treated more fairly was at the heart of the Queen's speech today.
  • News in brief: New Star close to deal
    Chris Thomas
    03.12.08
    New Star close to a deal, HBOS and Lloyds unveil plans to help small businesses, UK job market weakens, oil prices rise, and more...
  • Where next for banking regulations?
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.12.08
    Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Edward Leigh, has raised the question: what has the credit crunch done for regulating banks and businesses?
  • A little stimulus for construction and insurance
    Ceri Jones
    01.12.08
    The Chancellor's not Scrooge, but he's certainly no Father Christmas. Construction and insurance company chiefs may breathe a little easier after the pre-Budget report, though.
  • Fresh bid to block HBOS-Lloyds merger
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.12.08
    HBOS shareholders and banking customers have joined forces with Scottish businessmen in a fresh bid to block the planned HBOS merger with Lloyds TSB.
  • Pressure on BoE to cut rates once more
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.12.08
    The pressure is on the Bank of England to cut interest rates to as low as 2% on Thursday, after more negative economic data showed the country is heading full steam towards recession.
  • Shares in New Star plunge
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.12.08
    Shares in troubled UK fund manager New Star dived by more than 65% in early morning trading on Monday, with the group locked in talks with lenders.
  • Winter woe on the markets
    Chris Thomas
    01.12.08
    Global markets failed to get into the Christmas spirit at the start of December, with miners leading the Footsie down.
  • Budgeting for the ailing economy
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.11.08
    Alistair Darling's bid to stimulate the economy in his pre-Budget report came too late for some High Street retailers.
  • News in brief: JD Sports mulls JJB bid?
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.11.08
    JD Sports reportedly mulls a bid for JJB Sports, oil prices dip ahead of the OPEC meeting, Spain unveils its rescue package for the economy and more...
  • RBS bail-out: What does it mean for you?
    Liam Tarry
    28.11.08
    The Government has taken a majority stake in RBS after existing shareholders snubbed a £15 billion share issue. Liam Tarry investigates what this bailout means for you.
  • Taylor Wimpey shares soar
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.11.08
    Shares in Taylor Wimpey have soared more than 200% in the past two days over rumours that the struggling housebuilder could strike an equity deal with its lenders.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    28.11.08
    Results and updates from the retail sector could further underline gloom on the high street, while the BoE's interest rate decision will be the week's focal point.
  • High Street woes continue
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.11.08
    The nightmare on the High Street continued today, with two big name retailers going into administration and more tales of falling sales from the owners of B&Q and Currys.
  • House price falls slow
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.11.08
    House prices continued to fall in November, albeit at a slower rate than the previous month.
  • News in brief: UK economy shrinks 0.5%
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.11.08
    UK economy shrinks by 0.5%, EC pushes huge rescue plan, oil lifts amid Russian speculation, China cuts rates again, and more...
  • Rio Tinto dismisses debt concerns
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.11.08
    Mining heavyweight Rio Tinto has shrugged off concerns over its debt position, after rival BHP Billiton pulled the plug on its $66 billion takeover plans.
  • Serious Fraud Office eyes up property seminar firm
    Matthew Wall
    26.11.08
    The SFO is considering launching an investigation into Instant Access Properties, the controversial property investment company firm which went into administration owing more than £11m.
  • FTSE 100 inches forward at close
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.11.08
    London markets crawled forward on Tuesday, as investors digested the contents of Chancellor Alistair Darling's spend now, pay later pre-Budget report.
  • Fed's $800bn boost to mortgage industry
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.11.08
    The Federal Reserve swooped to bolster the flagging US economy with a further $800bn rescue package for the failing mortgage industry on Tuesday.
  • Government set for 58% stake in RBS
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.11.08
    The UK Government is likely to take a 58% stake in RBS after the bank's £15bn share offer expired today, with shares well below the 65.5p offer price.
  • News in brief: UK set for "severe" recession
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.11.08
    UK set for "severe" recession, BoE governor Mervyn King calls for more rate cuts, mortgage lending slumps, BHP Billiton pulls out of Rio Tinto bid, and more...
  • Citigroup gets Government bail-out
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.11.08
    Ailing bank Citigroup has become the latest financial institution to receive an emergency cash injection to stave off a collapse that would have wreaked havoc around the globe.
  • Keeping the China dream alive
    Ceri Jones
    24.11.08
    As construction companies, steel producers and exporters cut back, it's the increasingly prosperous Chinese consumer keeping investors' hopes alive.
  • Monday markets surge forward
    Chris Thomas
    24.11.08
    London and US markets start the week well, with banks and miners performing strongly, as investors pick up bargains after last week's slide.
  • News in brief: Barclays' deal approved
    Chris Thomas
    24.11.08
    Barclays shareholders vote for the Middle Eastern deal while a major Woolworths shareholder calls for time out in its potential sale and more...
  • Barclays receives L&G backing
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.11.08
    Barclays received a boost on Friday after major shareholder Legal & General Investment Management reluctantly gave its backing to the proposed Middle Eastern deal.
  • Markets fall on Friday
    Chris Thomas
    21.11.08
    London markets fell back into negative territory on Friday after an early flourish had buoyed investors.
  • Markets nosedive as economic woe grows
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.11.08
    Doom-mongers around the world were having a field day last week, as more tales of economic woe saw markets drown in a sea of red.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    21.11.08
    More economic data announcements in the coming week are likely to highlight more clouds on the horizon.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.11.08
    A week in which markets and economies headed south gave plenty of people the opportunity to have their say...
  • RBS shareholders agree to bail-out
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.11.08
    RBS shareholders agree to accept the Government's £20bn bail-out, while the bank's chairman apologises for the ailing institution's current difficulties.
  • Santander shareholders miss out
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.11.08
    UK shareholders in Spanish bank Santander will miss out on the chance to take part in its €7 billion rights issue.
  • It's not the economy, stupid
    Ken Fisher
    19.11.08
    Bear markets always end long before economic news improves, says Ken Fisher. In every bear market he's studied, stocks turn around as the economy worsens.
  • Lloyds shareholders approve HBOS deal
    Chris Thomas
    19.11.08
    A "significant majority" of Lloyds TSB shareholders have voted in favour of the proposed acquisition of HBOS at its general meeting today.
  • Shares in Woolworths suspended
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.11.08
    Shares in ailing high street chain Woolworths were suspended on Wednesday morning after the group confirmed it is in talks with restructuring firm Hilco.
  • News in brief: Cost of living slows
    Chris Thomas
    18.11.08
    The rate of inflation falls in October, Barclays' entire board is up for re-election, rents fall at record rate, and more...
  • Banks overhaul bonus system
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.11.08
    Swiss banking giant UBS has followed the lead of other banks in radically overhauling its pay and bonus system as the credit crisis continues to bite.
  • Bond market is buyers' market
    Ceri Jones
    17.11.08
    Forced selling by funds has created a buyers' market in corporate bonds, says Ceri Jones. Spreads over 16.7% are higher than during the Great Depression.
  • Economy's dire state sends markets down
    Chris Thomas
    17.11.08
    Pledges from world leaders to get the global economy back on track failed to restore investor confidence in the face of yet more grim economic data from the UK.
  • Hope grows for Taylor Wimpey
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.11.08
    Shares in housebuilder Taylor Wimpey lifted by as much as 18% on Monday, amid speculation that the struggling group has attracted the eye of US private equity firms.
  • UK economy set for sharp contraction
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.11.08
    The UK economy is set for its sharpest contraction in almost 20 years, according to the Confederation of British Industry.
  • FTSE pushes forward on Friday
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.11.08
    The FTSE 100 put a poor week of trading behind it on Friday, as higher metal prices helped to lift key indices ahead of the G20 economic summit this weekend.
  • Government agency will not run banks
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.11.08
    The new Government agency set up to oversee the £37 billion taxpayer stake in three of the UK's banks will not play a part in the day-to-day running of the banks.
  • Markets ridden with recession fears
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.11.08
    Fears over the looming recession once again dominated investors' actions, while economic data provided further gloom.
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    14.11.08
    Investors and the wider public alike will be interested in the thinking behind the MPC's shock cut to interest rates, while further economic data could reveal further bad news.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.11.08
    Recession fears gripped investors, while an unexpected twist in the HBOS-Lloyds saga provided plenty of opportunity to comment.
  • Dramatic changes to US bail-out
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.11.08
    The US Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, has announced a dramatic change in plans to salvage the beleaguered banking sector.
  • Markets stutter amid economic gloom
    Chris Thomas
    13.11.08
    London markets were struggling to stay afloat, as more economic doom and gloom weighed heavily on key global indices.  
  • News in brief: Recession hits Germany
    Chris Thomas
    13.11.08
    Germany slides into its first recession since 2003, BT announces further job losses, the pound hits new low against dollar, and more...
  • Barclays facing shareholder revolt
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.11.08
    Barclays is facing a shareholder revolt after choosing Middle Eastern investors over support from the UK Government in its fundraising efforts.
  • Chinese move boosts markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.08
    More bad news from the financial sector curbs positive sentiment over  the $600 billion Chinese economic boost.
  • HSBC plagued by bad debt
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.08
    Bad debt charges from the US housing market continue to plague HSBC, taking its losses since the start of the credit crisis to around $23 billion.
  • Opposition grows over HBOS-Lloyds deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.11.08
    Opposition to the merger between HBOS and Lloyds reached fever pitch, as two of Scotland's most senior bankers to keep HBOS as a standalone institution.
  • Rate cuts will not end crisis
    Ceri Jones
    10.11.08
    The rate cut has failed to shock the financial system back to life, says Ceri Jones, and most investors expect one more capitulation. Then it will be the turn of the small-fry.
  • Airline profits tumble
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.11.08
    Airlines are feeling the pinch as higher fuel costs and falling passenger numbers hit the profits of big and small airlines alike.
  • Markets remain stalked by recession fears
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.11.08
    Barack Obama's ascension to President wasn't enough to quell recession fears on the markets, but the BoE's surprise rate cut could offer some respite.
  • News in brief: IMF holds gloomy outlook
    Chris Thomas
    07.11.08
    The IMF's economic remains bleak, lenders under pressure to pass on rate cut, EU leaders meet ahead of global financial summit, and more...
  • The week ahead...
    Chris Thomas
    07.11.08
    Trading updates from a host of big companies and a fresh batch of figures on the state of the ailing economy should keep investors on their toes next week.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.11.08
    It was the dawning of a new era in America last week, while the Bank of England introduced a surprise rate cut. There was plenty to say on these and more...
  • BoE slashes interest rates to 3%
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.11.08
    The Bank of England exceeded expectations today, as it announced a 1.5 percentage point cut in interest rates.
  • RBS chief gets bumper pay deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    05.11.08
    Shareholders in RBS may be mourning the loss of their dividend payments, but chief exec Stephen Hestor is laughing all the way to the bank.
  • RBS investors blast accounting change
    Rhian Nicholson
    04.11.08
    Investors today blasted the accounting changes which allowed Royal Bank of Scotland to slash its reported write-downs for third-quarter trading.
  • Rate cut hopes lift markets
    Chris Thomas
    04.11.08
    The FTSE 100 pushed forward on Tuesday, on optimism over more interest rate cuts later this week.
  • London markets soldier on
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.11.08
    London markets struggled on Monday, as investors awaited the outcome of the US Presidential race and the MPC's vote on interest rates.
  • M&A and insider dealing
    Ceri Jones
    03.11.08
    The FSA is cracking down on insider dealing, but with merger and acquisitions activity still strong, Ceri Jones believes 2009 could be a good year for crooks.
  • Barclays seeks Middle Eastern boost
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.10.08
    Barclays is turning to Middle Eastern investors to raise £7.3 billion without the need for Government intervention
  • Investors upbeat on BT's prospects
    Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
    31.10.08
    Investors remain upbeat on the prospects of telecoms giant BT, despite today's surprise profits warning from the firm.
  • Markets recover from shaky start
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.10.08
    Investors saw another volatile week on the markets end on a high, despite gloomy outlooks in the UK and US.
  • The week ahead
    Chris Thomas
    31.10.08
    The coming week sees some major announcements from companies, as well as interest rate decisions from the BoE and ECB.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    31.10.08
    Another rollercoaster week provided plenty of opportunity for comment. Here's our round-up of what's been said.
  • FTSE checks gains on Thursday
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.10.08
    London markets drove forward on Thursday, but later found itself stuttering despite interest rate cuts from the US and China.
  • Oil giants continue to soar
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.10.08
    Soaring third quarter results from oil giants BP and Shell were lifted by lower oil prices and have got investors busily trading.
  • Markets surge on Wednesday
    Chris Thomas
    29.10.08
    Markets across the globe were in positive territory as hope grew of central banks introducing rate cuts.
  • Crisis hits banks to tune of $2.8 trillion
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.10.08
    The credit crisis has cost global financial institutions $2.8 trillion, according to the Bank of England as it calls for an overhaul of the worldwide banking system.
  • Markets on the front foot
    Rhian Nicholson
    28.10.08
    European shares pushed forward onTuesday, as strong UK company results helped calm nervy investors.
  • HBOS and Lloyds boosted by Brown
    Chris Thomas
    27.10.08
    Shares in potential merger partners HBOS and Lloyds TSB were flying on Monday, as the PM voiced his opinion on the deal.
  • Pubs suffer as beer sales tumble
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.10.08
    Breweries and pub chains are sobering after news that beer sales hit a decade low in the third quarter.
  • Tobacco market not as healthy as it was
    Ceri Jones
    27.10.08
    Tobacco would be a dream investment, if it didn't kill people. New regulations in the US could be a turning point for the stocks once considered almost unassailable.
  • Volatile Monday on the markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    27.10.08
    European shares rallied from steep falls on Monday, as worries about the looming global recession had investors rattled.
  • HSBC shares hit five-year low
    Chris Thomas
    24.10.08
    Shares in banking giant HSBC tumbled on Friday, as negative sentiment on emerging markets badly hit the firm.
  • Recession fears grip markets
    Chris Thomas
    24.10.08
    The FTSE 100 was joined deep in the red by the Dow Jones on Friday, both following Asian markets' slide into the doldrums.
  • Recession looming as GDP goes negative
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.10.08
    The UK is on the brink of recession after the economy contracted for the first time in 16 years, figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.10.08
    Having started the week serenely, recession fears sparked life into the markets - and into the mouths of many.
  • Don't miss out on spring-loaded recovery
    Ken Fisher
    23.10.08
    There are three things to remember about bull markets that follow bears this deep, says Ken Fisher. You can't time them, they're spectacular, and stocks that fall the furthest, bounce the most.
  • Where next for dividends?
    Ceri Jones
    23.10.08
    As investors bail out of banks in search of consistent dividend payers, Ceri Jones surveys big pharma, oil majors and the food retailers likely to go on paying out.
  • Woe for retailers
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.10.08
    With falling sales, come falling profits, as retailers reassess their expectations for this year. But is it really that bad?
  • Housebuilders stage mini-recovery
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.08
    Shares in housebuilders staged their own mini-rally following weeks of poor performance on the back of the ailing housing market.
  • Markets struggle on Wednesday
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.10.08
    Fears of a UK recession hit the FTSE 100 on Wednesday, with global markets also performing sluggishly.
  • FTSE stutters on Tuesday
    Chris Thomas
    21.10.08
    The FTSE 100 traded sluggishly on Tuesday, followed south by Wall Street.
  • Global banking support stepped up
    Rhian Nicholson
    21.10.08
    France and Japan have stepped up their efforts to bail out their beleaguered banking sectors, while the IMF is to aid others.
  • Further bail-out plans bolster banks
    Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
    20.10.08
    More support measures for the beleaguered global banking system helped to lift shares in UK financial institutions on Monday.
  • Monday rally on markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.10.08
    Economic woes in the UK and China weren't enough to stop the markets rallying on Monday.
  • UK economy "in recession"
    Rhian Nicholson
    20.10.08
    The UK is already in recession after economic conditions in the UK declined dramatically over the last three months, according to a think tank.
  • Market promise engulfed by recession fears
    Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
    18.10.08
    It all started so promisingly, but went so wrong as concerns over the looming global recession overshadowed investor optimism.
  • FSA says banks are past the worst
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.10.08
    The beleaguered banking system has passed the point of meltdown but the economic consequences of the credit crisis still have to be dealt with, according to the head of the FSA.
  • Footsie pushes back above 4000
    Chris Thomas
    17.10.08
    The FTSE 100 finished the week on a high as investors banished thoughts of the looming recession.
  • The week in words
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.10.08
    In yet another volatile week on the markets, there was more than enough to get people talking.
  • Banks reveal further losses
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.10.08
    Bad debts continued to take a bite out of banks in the third quarter, with Citigroup and Merrill Lynch revealing further losses on Thursday.
  • Recession fears plague markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.10.08
    The woe continued for markets on Thursday as the prospect of a looming recession sent investors running for the door.
  • Lloyds shareholders set for dividends?
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.10.08
    Lloyds TSB shareholders could still receive dividends payments while the bank benefits from the Government's $500 billion rescue package.
  • News in brief: Public to quiz Darling
    Chris Thomas
    15.10.08
    Public given chance to question the Chancellor, JPMorgan announces more losses, UK unemployment set to rise, oil slumps toward $78, and more...
  • Recession fears and miners weigh on markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.10.08
    Fears of a global recession and plunging miners weighed heavily on the markets on Wednesday, denting hopes the credit crisis was heading to its finale.
  • Global efforts boost markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.10.08
    The FTSE 100 continued to notch up the gains as banking sector bail-outs lifted investor confidence.
  • US pumps $250bn into banks
    Rhian Nicholson
    14.10.08
    Nine of the biggest US banks are to share a $250 billion cash injection as part of a part-nationalisation program.
  • Banks take Government lifeline
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.10.08
    Three of the UK's biggest banks will be part-nationalised as they fight for survival in the credit crisis.
  • FTSE rallies following bank bail-out
    Chris Thomas
    13.10.08
    The London market reacted well to the Government's proposed bail-out of British banks, while the Dow started positively.
  • Getting back into equities
    Ceri Jones
    13.10.08
    Because of the credit freeze, weighing up individual stocks is tricky, says Ceri Jones. Exchange Traded Funds are a less risky route back into equities.
  • News in brief: Morgan Stanley sells 21% stake
    Rhian Nicholson
    13.10.08
    Japanese bank seal deal for part of Morgan Stanley, more Governments across the world guarantee bank deposits, Iceland plans to sue the British Government, and more...
  • Barclays to tap markets for cash
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.10.08
    Shares in Barclays lost further ground on Friday after the group confirmed it is looking to the markets to raise extra capital to boost its balance sheet.
  • Brown calls for world to follow UK's lead
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.10.08
    Prime Minister Gordon Brown is calling for Governments around the world to take action to support their ailing banking sectors as they teeter on the brink of collapse.
  • Markets endure torrid Friday
    Chris Thomas
    10.10.08
    London markets ended a tumultuous week heavily in the red with the FTSE 100 dropping below 4000.
  • Banking sector enjoys mixed day
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.10.08
    Plans of an initial £50 billion rescue package boosted most of the banks, but Barclays was knocked by reports it is to offer preference shares before using Government aid.
  • Markets fall back on recession fears
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.10.08
    Global markets sank back into the red on Thursday, after concerns about a looming global recession outweighed positive sentiment over the UK banking sector rescue plans.
  • News in brief: Time up on US shorting ban
    Chris Thomas
    09.10.08
    The US shorting ban is set to expire, the British banking system considered less stable, Lloyds looks to renegotiate HBOS deal, and more...
  • British banks to be part-nationalised
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.08
    The UK's biggest banks are to be part-nationalised through a £50 billion rescue package in a bid to restore order to the struggling banking sector.
  • Brown unveils 'solution' to bank crisis
    Rebecca Atkinson
    08.10.08
    Gordon Brown has unveiled a plan to 'rescue' the British banking sector that includes pumping around £50 billion of taxpayers money into the biggest names on the high street.
  • Central banks cut interest rates
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.08
    Central banks around the world have cut interest rates by 50 basis points in a further move to breathe new life into the money markets.
  • FTSE slumps despite rate cuts
    Rhian Nicholson
    08.10.08
    Global rate cuts by central banks and plans to rescue UK banks failed to revitalise a flagging global markets on Wednesday.
  • Banking crisis sparks top level talks
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.08
    The Prime Minister is meeting with senior officials over the turmoil in the financial sector as bank shares slump further.
  • Fed announces commercial paper plan
    Chris Thomas
    07.10.08
    The Federal Reserve has announced that it will purchase short-term corporate loans in a move it hopes will help unlock credit markets.
  • News in brief: Landsbanki nationalised
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.08
    Iceland's second largest bank has been nationalised, IMF says economy is slowing, Australia cuts interest rates to 6%, and more...
  • Punch drunk pubs still not cheap enough
    Ceri Jones
    07.10.08
    What's happened to our pubs? Drinkers are staying away and investors won't touch them unless they're shorting. Punch Taverns is on a price earnings of two, but it's no bargain.
  • UK "already in recession"
    Rhian Nicholson
    07.10.08
    The UK is already in recession as the pressure from the credit crisis mounts and confidence plummets, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.
  • Markets tumble across the globe
    Chris Thomas
    06.10.08
    The FTSE 100 slid over 7% while the Dow Jones hit a four-year low on Monday - with panic striking the markets.
  • News in brief: Government to back banks
    Rhian Nicholson
    06.10.08
    Alistair Darling pledges to support banks, Iceland's own banks announce a financial resuce plan, BNP Paribas buys part of Fortis, and more...
  • Oil slips to eight-month low
    Chris Thomas
    06.10.08
    Oil prices suffered in a commodities-wide slump on Monday, seeing almost 4% wiped off its price as it hit eight-month lows of $90.
  • Banking shares bolstered by double boost
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.10.08
    Banking shares got a welcome boost on Friday after the Government upped savers' protection and the BoE said it would accept a wider range of collateral in exchange for loans.
  • Markets prosper on wave of good news
    Rhian Nicholson
    03.10.08
    Markets pushed forward as Wells Fargo bought Wachovia and the BoE protected more of savers' money ahead of the Congress vote on the revised US $700 billion rescue plan.
  • News in brief: World facing "abyss"
    Chris Thomas
    03.10.08
    The French PM believes the world is on the "edge of the abyss", the FSA has raised the guarantee for savings to £50,000, and more...
  • Wells Fargo to buy Wachovia
    Chris Thomas
    03.10.08
    US bank Wachovia has agreed to being bought by Wells Fargo in a $15.4 billion takeover - halting a Government-backed deal with Citigroup.
  • Europe seeks its own rescue solution
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.10.08
    European leaders are set to gather in Paris this weekend to talk through possible damage limitation schemes for the failing financial sector.
  • Irish look to extend guarantee to foreign banks
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.10.08
    Plans to extend a controversial new Irish law, guaranteeing all banks deposits to foreign-owned banks with a large retail presence in the country, are underway.
  • Markets down despite US plan approval
    Rhian Nicholson
    02.10.08
    London and US markets followed Asian markets into negative territory on Thursday despite the US Senate approving the banking sector rescue.
  • Ten commercial property companies to recover
    Ceri Jones
    02.10.08
    At some stage good yields will attract investors back to commercial property and companies with the financial strength to take advantage of forced sales should also do well, says Ceri Jones.
  • Lonmin flounders as Xstrata pulls deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    01.10.08
    Mining giant Lonmin lost more than a quarter of its value on Wednesday, after potential partner Xstrata pulled the plug on a £5 billion offer due to the credit crisis.
  • FTSE stages recovery
    Chris Thomas
    30.09.08
    The FTSE dives early on Tuesday before staging a recovery in what was another volatile day on the markets.
  • How will bail-out rejection affect you?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    30.09.08
    News that US Congress has rejected the $700 billion plans to bail-out Wall Street could have long-lasting global repercussions.
  • Irish banks get Government guarantee
    Rhian Nicholson
    30.09.08
    Market meltdown has forced the Irish government to guarantee all deposits at six banks after the Irish Stock Exchange suffered its worst ever day of trading on Monday.
  • Banking crisis looms large
    Chris Thomas
    29.09.08
    Banking giant Fortis become part-nationalised, while Iceland's third largest bank follows B&B in being nationalised, with Citigroup buying US bank Wachovia.
  • FTSE dives on battered financials
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.09.08
    The FTSE 100 slumped into the red on Monday, as financial institutions were brought to their knees by the credit crisis.
  • Shares in B&B 'extinguished'
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.09.08
    Shares in troubled mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley have been cancelled following its nationalisation.
  • US bail-out plans settled
    Rhian Nicholson
    29.09.08
    Plans for a $700 billion rescue package for the beleaguered banking sector are finally ready to face the House of Representatives after days of debate.
  • Banks head into further turmoil
    Chris Thomas
    26.09.08
    Banks are hit hard as Washington Mutual becomes the largest US banking failure and HSBC cuts 1,100 jobs.
  • Bush expects bail-out to be passed
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.09.08
    George Bush has said legislators will "rise to the occasion" and pass the $700bn Wall Street rescue package.
  • Credit crisis comments
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.09.08
    It's been another tumutluous on the markets, increasing the pressure on the powers that be. Here's a selection of what some had to say.
  • WaMu becomes largest US bank failure
    Rhian Nicholson
    26.09.08
    US bank Washington Mutual has become the latest - and largest - victim of the credit crisis chaos after regulators closed the bank on Thursday.
  • B&B shares hit record low
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.09.08
    Shares in beleaugered mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley hit a record low following the unveiling of cost-cutting plans.
  • Brown backs bank bail-out
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.09.08
    Gordon Brown has backed the US Government's bail-out plan to calm the turbulent markets.
  • FTSE closes up, US opens strongly
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.09.08
    The FTSE 100 closed up almost 2% on Thursday, while the US market started early trade well on hopes of the bank bail-out plans.
  • Pleas for firms to join ban ignored
    Rhian Nicholson
    25.09.08
    Pleas from companies outside the financial sector wanting to be included in the short-selling ban have fallen on deaf ears.
  • EDF agrees £12.5bn British Energy takeover
    Chris Thomas
    24.09.08
    Europe's largest electricity supplier, French utility giant EDF, has launched a £12.5 billion takeover bid on British Energy, helping to secure Britain's nuclear future.
  • FBI investigates fraud in US crisis firms
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.09.08
    Four of the US institutions brought to their knees by the credit crisis are being investigated by the FBI for fraud, the US media reports.
  • London markets see marginal slide
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.09.08
    London markets closed just under 1% of the opening mark on Wednesday, as the US Government bank bail-out hit problems in Congress.
  • Now is a no-brainer
    Ken Fisher
    24.09.08
    The financial world is reeling. Blood is in the streets. It looks and feels like Armageddon. Now's a no-brainer to own stocks - it's counter-intuitive, but true.
  • PM hints at short-selling ban
    Rhian Nicholson
    24.09.08
    Short-selling shares could soon be permanently banned in the UK, PM Gordon Brown has said, as hedge funds feel investors' wrath.
  • Markets limp through Tuesday
    Rhian Nicholson
    23.09.08
    London and Asian markets were hit on Tuesday, as concerns grew that the US Government's bail-out plan may not be enough to revive the economy.
  • Curtain falls on US investment banking era
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.08
    The final curtain has fallen on investment banking on Wall Street, after the last two independent banks standing agreed to become regulated by the Federal Reserve.
  • FTSE treads water on Monday
    Rhian Nicholson
    22.09.08
    The FTSE slipped back into the red as investors awaited further news on the US government's proposed $700 billion bank bail-out.
  • Frenzied Friday anything but 'stable'
    Ceri Jones
    22.09.08
    The Government's attempt to restore stability and ban short-selling will provide a short-lived reprieve, says Ceri Jones. The market will price shares as it always has - on future earnings streams, and they look bleak.
  • Global markets power ahead
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.09.08
    London markets recorded their biggest ever one day gain on Friday as the temporary ban on shorting financial shares came into effect.
  • Investors cheer shorting ban
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.09.08
    Investors are cheering the temporary ban on shorting financial stocks which came into play on Friday morning.
  • US considers "bad bank" plan
    Rhian Nicholson
    19.09.08
    The US government is considering creating a "bad bank" to rescue the beleaguered financial system.
  • Financial fears plague markets
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.09.08
    The FTSE 100 lost ground once again despite central banks injecting billions of dollars into the money markets.
  • AIG saved by US Government
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.09.08
    Ailing insurer AIG has been saved from the brink of collapse by a multibillion-dollar rescue package from the US government.
  • Barclays seals £1bn Lehman deal
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.09.08
    Banking giant Barclays has confirmed that it is to purchase some of the assets from stricken US investment bank Lehman Brothers.
  • Beyond the Aldi effect
    Ceri Jones
    17.09.08
    We've heard a lot about consumers switching to cheap alternatives, but when money is really tight our behaviour is more complicated. Ceri Jones picks some companies profiting from the downturn.
  • FTSE hits three-year low
    Rhian Nicholson
    17.09.08
    London markets fluctuate wildly and ultimately plummet, as confirmation of the HBOS and Lloyds TSB merger adds to the drama.
  • Are British banks at risk of going bust?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    16.09.08
    The collapse of Lehamn Brothers has sent stockmarkets into turmoil, with shares in British banks taking a particular battering. Is this a sign that British banks are also in danger of collapse?
  • How long left for AIG?
    Rhian Nicholson
    16.09.08
    Troubled insurer AIG sees its share price plunge further on funding concerns, while it has been claimed it has just one day to fund the requisite funds to stay afloat.
  • Lehman Brothers collapses
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.09.08
    Lehman Brothers is filing for bankruptcy after potential takeover talks collapsed at the weekend.
  • Markets engulfed by banking crisis
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.09.08
    Global markets were plunged into chaos on Monday following Lehman Brothers' collapse and Merrill Lynch's takeover.
  • Now AIG takes its cap to the Fed
    Rhian Nicholson
    15.09.08
    Insurance giant AIG is the latest firm to be teetering on the brink, leading it to turn to the Federal Reserve and ask for $40bn.
  • FTSE finishes on a high
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.09.08
    The FTSE 100 closed up on Friday, as miners climbed on higher metal prices and travel groups benefitted from the collapse of XL Leisure Group.
  • Lehman's future hangs in the balance
    Rhian Nicholson
    12.09.08
    Troubled US investment bank Lehman Brothers is reportedly seeking potential buyers after further doubts were cast over its ability to survive independently.
  • FTSE down on economy fears
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.09.08
    London markets lost further ground on Thursday, after more tales of woe from the high street added to negative sentiment over the health of the economy.
  • ITV faces the chop in FTSE reshuffle  
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.09.08
    Changes are afoot in the FTSE 100 with big names ITV and Carphone Warehouse set for relegation in the latest quarterly reshuffle.
  • Lehman Brothers shares dive 40%
    Rhian Nicholson
    11.09.08
    Further bad news hit US investment bank Lehman Brothers and its investors today, as shares plunged on doubts over the firm's future.
  • World equities at two-year low
    11.09.08
    Worries about the global financial sector drove world equities to their lowest in more than two years for a second day on Thursday.
  • Huge prizes for miners
    Ceri Jones
    10.09.08
    Relatively under-mined countries such as Venezuela or the Congo offer huge potential for second tier miners, but political uncertainties mean it has yet to be fulfilled, says Ceri Jones.
  • Investor ire as Barratt axes divi
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.09.08
    The iii.co.uk discussion boards were fevered on Wednesday, after news that Britain's biggest housebuilder - Barratt Developments - axed its final dividend payment.
  • Lehman Brothers loses $4bn in Q3
    Rhian Nicholson
    10.09.08
    Poorly-judged gambles on the mortgage market badly hit Lehman Brothers, as the US investment bank lost $4 billion in the third quarter.
  • London markets relinquish gains
    Rhian Nicholson
    09.09.08
    Falling metal prices and a poor opening on Wall Street weighed heavily on the London markets during the afternoon's trading.
  • BoE keeps rates frozen at 5%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    04.09.08
    The Bank of England has, as expected, maintained interest rates at 5% for the fifth month in a row today.
  • Asthma treatments have plenty of puff
    Ceri Jones
    03.09.08
    Asthma is a $33bn market but with the patents expiring on blockbusters from GSK and AstraZeneca, drug companies are looking to the next generation of treatments.
  • Oil heads back toward $100 mark
    Rebecca Atkinson
    03.09.08
    Households and drivers could start to see some respite from higher fuel and petrol bills after the cost of crude oil fell back towards the $100 mark this morning.
  • British economy faces rocky ride
    Rebecca Atkinson
    28.08.08
    A leading economic forecasting group has warned that the British economy will shrink by 0.25% during 2009, the first full-year contraction since 1991.
  • Going for global growth
    Ceri Jones
    27.08.08
    Ceri Jones picks out the UK and European megastocks escaping the downturn by refocusing their businesses on rapidly developing countries.
  • Recessionless bear won't last long
    Ken Fisher
    26.08.08
    Technically this is a bear market, says hitherto upbeat Ken Fisher, but there's a difference between this bear market and those of 2000-2002, 1973-1974, and 1968-1970. They were accompanied by big global recessions.
  • British economy grinds to a halt
    Rebecca Atkinson
    22.08.08
    The British economy has ground to a halt with no growth during the second quarter of the year, official figures today reveal.
  • November interest rate cut on the cards
    Rebecca Atkinson
    20.08.08
    Interest rates could be cut as early as November as the group of economists responsible for setting rates grows ever more concerned about the economic downturn.
  • Russian meddling bigger than Georgia
    Ceri Jones
    20.08.08
    Russia's newfound wealth enables it to intimidate its neighbours and Western companies, but State interference is on the rise generally. In China it's already high and in the UK and the US, free trade could be the victim.
  • Desire confirms new farm-out agreement
    Chris Thomas
    14.08.08
    Following an announcement earlier in the year, Desire Petroleum has now confirmed a new agreement is in place for acreages in the Falklands.
  • Gloomy outlook for UK economy
    Rebecca Atkinson
    13.08.08
    Consumers should expect rising prices to lead to a squeeze on their take-home pay for the foreseeable future, the BoE has warned, as high inflation shows no sign of abating.
  • The significance of SRI
    Ceri Jones
    13.08.08
    Global warming had pushed sustainability high on the business world's agenda, but Ceri Jones asks how far SRI priorities have slipped from focus as surviving takes over.
  • RBS reports a £691m loss
    Johanna Gornitzki
    08.08.08
    Royal Bank of Scotland has posted a pre-tax loss of £691 million during the first six months of 2008 - reportedly the largest loss by a high street bank in UK history.
  • FTSE higher on positive banks and oils
    07.08.08
    The FTSE 100 showed little reaction to the BoE's call to keep interest rates unchanged today, moving up 0.3% on positive commodity stocks and stronger banking shares.
  • Growth and excitement in utilities
    Ceri Jones
    06.08.08
    A solid and guaranteed stream on income is what utilities usually offer, but current prices make many stocks look like growth opportunities, says Ceri Jones.
  • Northern Rock suffers £585 million loss
    Liam Tarry
    05.08.08
    Northern Rock has announced a loss of £585 million in the first half of the year as its cash-strapped borrowers struggle to meet their mortgage repayments.
  • What does the future hold for battered banks?
    Rob Griffin
    05.08.08
    UK banks are having a torrid time and it's hitting FTSE investors in the pocket. Rob Griffin asks if the worst is over and whether it's time for canny investors to buy.
  • Bad news for banks
    Chris Thomas
    04.08.08
    HSBC publishes its latest results today, with analysts expecting them to lead the way as Britain's biggest banks show the full effects of the credit crunch.
  • UK construction falls to record low
    Chris Thomas
    04.08.08
    Construction activity in Britain plummeted at a record rate in July, a survey showed today, heightening fears that the sector is feeling the effects of a slowing economy.
  • Credit crunch: One year on
    Liam Tarry
    01.08.08
    In just 12 months, the impact of the credit crunch has been dramatic. Liam Tarry looks at it one year on and asks what the future holds.
  • Don't give up now
    Ken Fisher
    30.07.08
    Ken Fisher says bank collapses and bailouts aren't as bad as they look and might even herald a recovery in the stockmarket. Even if this is a true bear market, the worst is probably over.
  • Sorting AIM's majors from its minors
    Ceri Jones
    30.07.08
    High oil prices have kept smaller oil explorers afloat recently, but investors are becoming increasingly picky, warns Ceri Jones.
  • Meldex making noises
    Chris Thomas
    24.07.08
    This year has provided Meldex shareholders with plenty of excitement - not all of it welcomed. It's certainly got out investors talking...
  • Bear not as grizzly as you think, maybe
    Ceri Jones
    22.07.08
    It's hard to find anyone who thinks markets will improve by the end of the year, but that isn't what two important indicators are telling us, reports Ceri Jones.
  • HBOS rights issue flops
    Rebecca Atkinson
    21.07.08
    Shareholders in HBOS have snubbed the banking giant's offer of buying new shares in the firm. How have investors reacted on our discussion boards?
  • FTSE dips despite banking rally
    Chris Thomas
    18.07.08
    Banks rallied to lead a FTSE recovery from its three-year low on Wednesday, but commodities have dragged it back down. What's the investor view?
  • GM's shot in the arm for medicine
    Ceri Jones
    16.07.08
    Gene modification is increasingly applied to healthcare, but commercial production is some way off. However, it's in plant-made pharmaceuticals that it's making a mark.
  • What is the outlook for interest rates?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    15.07.08
    Escalating food prices have pushed inflation up to an alarming 3.8% in June. Rebecca Atkinson looks at the effect this will have on interest rates.
  • Alliance & Leicester in takeover talks
    Chris Thomas
    14.07.08
    News of a takeover approach for Alliance & Leicester has seen its share price rocket this morning, but what do investors make of the news?
  • Freed from Desire?
    Chris Thomas
    11.07.08
    The last three months have been turbulent for Desire Petroleum, but what to make of news of progress in the Falklands?
  • Composites show good mettle
    Ceri Jones
    09.07.08
    A growth industry without bubble-like tendencies is a rarity in the current climate, but the manufacture of composite materials could prove a near-run thing, says Ceri Jones.
  • Moneysupermarket shares tumble
    Chris Thomas
    09.07.08
    The share price tumble of Moneysupermarket.com has got investors talking. Here's the latest news and views from our discussion boards.
  • Is Britain on the brink of a recession?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    08.07.08
    The UK is hovering on the brink of recession as the credit crunch hits businesses across the country. Rebecca Atkinson reports on the worrying outlook.
  • Bradford & Bingley increases cash call
    Rebecca Atkinson
    04.07.08
    Bradford and Bingley has increased its forthcoming rights issue to £400 million after the American investor it had lined up got cold feet, reports Rebecca Atkinson.
  • What the Bank has to weigh up next week
    04.07.08
    The BoE looks set to hold interest rates steady for the third month running next week as policymakers seem trapped between high inflation and sharply slowing growth.
  • Africa rocks
    Ceri Jones
    02.07.08
    Money is flowing into Africa because of the commodity boom and trade with China, but there are signs that increased prosperity is growing all kinds of businesses, says Ceri Jones.
  • Interest rates are irrelevant
    Ken Fisher
    02.07.08
    Investors don't understand interest rates or inflation, says Ken Fisher. Rate hikes mean the economy is in good shape, and inflation isn't nearly as bad as you think.
  • Housing slowdown starts to bite economy hard
    01.07.08
    Construction activity fell at its sharpest pace in at least 11 years in June, in one of the clearest signs yet of how falling house prices are hitting the wider economy.
  • Growth revised down as services slow
    27.06.08
    The economy grew more slowly than previously thought in the first quarter as the service sector recorded its weakest performance in more than a decade, official figures showed on Friday.
  • Waking giant
    Heather Connon
    27.06.08
    Heather Connon visits Moscow to discover how investors can capitalise on Russia's energy-fuelled boom and the impending consumer bonanza.
  • Cycle or super-cycle?
    Ceri Jones
    25.06.08
    As commodity prices rise, the fashionable view is that this is no ordinary cycle.  But buying commodities willy nilly now looks as foolhardy as piling into random internet stocks in the late '90s, says Ceri Jones.
  • Strength of order book adds thrust
    Heather Connon
    24.06.08
    A healthy balance sheet coupled with demand from the Middle East and Asia means Rolls-Royce is more resilient than most to the economic downturn in Western markets, says Heather Connon.
  • Food for thought
    Ceri Jones
    18.06.08
    Crop prices are rising and stocks are falling, but Ceri Jones highlights plays in genetically modified food that have investors licking their lips.
  • Barclays confirms rights issue
    Rebecca Atkinson
    16.06.08
    Barclays has confirmed it is looking at carrying out a rights issue that will see it raise £4 billion from existing shareholders, reports Rebecca Atkinson.
  • Country at a crossroads
    Heather Connon
    13.06.08
    Heather Connon visits India to see how it's meeting the challenges of spectacular economic growth - such as upgrading its infrastructure to keep pace.
  • Take AIM for the next big thing
    Heather Connon
    13.06.08
    Tighter quality control and continuing growth suggest AIM companies should not be overlooked in the economic downturn, says Heather Connon.
  • RBS confident on insurance sale
    11.06.08
    RBS's performance and writedowns on risky assets remain in line with its previous guidance, but its results will be held back by the impact of the global credit crunch, it has said.
  • Lloyd's CEO sees more bank M&A likely
    10.06.08
    Banks are likely to pursue cross-border acquisitions as opportunities arise to make up for slower economic growth, the head of Lloyds TSB said on Tuesday.
  • Shares for the worst-case scenario
    Ceri Jones
    10.06.08
    With the economy looking bleak, Ceri Jones says investors can claw back some of their shopping bill investing in agri-business.
  • Interest rates frozen at 5%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    05.06.08
    The Bank of England has voted to keep interest rates at 5% for June, despite figures showing the continued downturn of the housing market. Rebecca Atkinson reports.
  • Show the market who's boss
    Ken Fisher
    03.06.08
    World shares are nearing their breakeven point for the year, but selling out of relief when you're even is a loser's game says Ken Fisher. He's buying big.
  • Bradford & Bingley's shares plunge
    Rebecca Atkinson
    02.06.08
    Bradford & Bingley, the UK's biggest buy-to-let mortgage lender, has seen its share price dive this morning following its announcement of a 50% fall in profit.
  • Turkey: The undervalued emerging market
    Ceri Jones
    02.06.08
    It may be a political hot potato, but strong infrastructure and a young, vibrant population mean investors should give Turkey a closer look, says Ceri Jones.
  • High income stocks: Strugglers and survivors
    Ceri Jones
    27.05.08
    High yields abound, says Ceri Jones, but they're not all attractive. The trick is to find companies where profits will hold up, and avoid bombed out cyclicals.
  • Economy grows at slowest pace in three years
    23.05.08
    The British economy grew at its slowest rate in three years in the first quarter with stronger household spending failing to offset a sharp fall in business investment.
  • Good vibrations!
    Ceri Jones
    20.05.08
    If we'd used the headline we'd intended for this article, it would have been blocked by your spam filter. Suffice it to say there's a certain industry that's so hot it's on fire right now.
  • Hopes for rate cuts dashed by soaring inflation
    Rebecca Atkinson
    14.05.08
    The BoE has hinted that there'll be no more cut interest rates this year as the risk of rising inflation continues to dog efforts to bolster the slowing economy. Rebecca Atkinson reports.
  • Inflation soars to 3%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    13.05.08
    Hopes of interest rate cuts over the next few months appear dashed after official figures revealed inflation soared to 3% in April, reports Rebecca Atkinson.
  • The spectre of Sovereign Wealth Funds
    Ceri Jones
    12.05.08
    There's already more invested in Sovereign Wealth Funds than hedge funds, and by 2015 they could be bigger than the US economy. It's easy to ignore these closed and secretive capitalists. Don't...
  • Bank leaves rates at 5%
    08.05.08
    The BoE held interest rates at 5% on today, but most experts predict a cut next month to shore up the economy in the face of a global credit crunch.
  • Calling the fake bear market
    Ken Fisher
    07.05.08
    Ken Fisher may be receiving plenty of hate mail dismissing his bullish views, but so far he's right, and the masses are wrong. There is no recession, and there is no bear market.
  • China: Too big to ignore
    Ceri Jones
    06.05.08
    Chinese exports may be at risk from the slowdown in Western countries, but the domestic economy is booming, says Ceri Jones, and the risk of inflation is overdone.
  • Banks ask for their money back
    30.04.08
    The credit crunch has put paid to banks buying back their shares with surplus cash, Now they want their money back.
  • Trawling for turnarounds
    Ceri Jones
    30.04.08
    The stockmarket is full of surprises this spring, as companies flower in moribund sectors and oversold shares bounce-back. Ceri Jones picks the budding growth, and recovery, stocks.
  • Bank of England split on next move
    29.04.08
    As the housing downturn rumbles on, BoE policy-makers are increasingly divided over how to tackle slowing economic growth and rising inflation.
  • HBOS sets £4 billion rights issue
    29.04.08
    HBOS made a £4 billion cash call on Tuesday and said it would trim its dividends, as it grapples with an increased hit from toxic assets and a deteriorating mortgage market.
  • Winners and losers in the great food fight
    Ceri Jones
    23.04.08
    Price competition is driving the food industry this year. Rising raw material costs and tightfisted consumers are squeezing food producers, says Ceri Jones, but big international food groups are cleaning up.
  • The secret is all in the timing
    Rhian Nicholson
    18.04.08
    When markets are volatile, drip-feeding over the course of the year can make more sense than putting in one lump sum, writes Rhian Nicholson.
  • Economic gloom adds to case for lower rates
    15.04.08
    The housing market is turning down fast and retail sales are falling, surveys show, suggesting that interest rates will need to fall further this year to shore up the economy.
  • Market watch: Saving the economy
    Ceri Jones
    15.04.08
    As house prices turn down, fears about the economy are growing. But confidence won't return until banks start lending to each other again, says Ceri Jones.
  • World leaders show unity
    14.04.08
    The International Monetary Fund's steering committee has called for close global cooperation.
  • Bank of England cuts interest rates to 5%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    10.04.08
    The Bank of England has taken action to ease pressures on the economy by cutting interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 5%.
  • The great credit grab of 2008
    Ken Fisher
    09.04.08
    If we were really caught in a credit crunch, lending would be down and interest rates up across the board. They're not, says Ken Fisher. Big, high quality companies are borrowing more than before, at cheaper rates.
  • Opportunities in oil
    Ceri Jones
    08.04.08
    While oil prices have jumped 53% in a year, energy companies have lagged. Ceri Jones says this dislocation has created pockets of opportunity.
  • City cull will be no luxury
    Ceri Jones
    02.04.08
    Expectations are growing for record job losses among the City's workforce in 2008. This could signal bad news for the luxury goods sector, says Ceri Jones.
  • Value lurks in tech sector
    Ceri Jones
    26.03.08
    The tech sector is severely oversold, says Ceri Jones, but M&A activity and protection against a US slowdown mean there's still plenty there for investors in the short-term.
  • A Budget for bears with sore heads
    Ceri Jones
    20.03.08
    The Budget was pretty miserable for most of us, but just imagine what it feels to be a publican or a life insurer. Ceri Jones examines the fine print for investors.
  • Bank votes 7-2 for steady rates in March
    19.03.08
    Two of the nine BoE policymakers opposed this month's decision to keep interest rates at 5.25%, preferring an immediate  cut to shore up the economy in the face of a global credit crunch.
  • Goldman earnings fall by half
    18.03.08
    Goldman Sachs Group said first-quarter earnings fell by half after the largest US investment bank recorded steep losses.
  • Bank agony batters stocks
    17.03.08
    Global stocks fell sharply and the dollar tumbled as a fire sale of Bear Stearns and an emergency Fed cut sparked fears that a worldwide credit crisis will claim more casualties.
  • FTSE drops 2% as Bear sale stokes bank fears
    17.03.08
    The FTSE 100 share index tumbled early on Monday, tracking skidding Asian and US stocks after the takeover of stricken US bank Bear Stearns sparked new concerns for the extent of the credit crisis.
  • Time to buy value
    Ceri Jones
    13.03.08
    Value investors finally had the wind taken from their sails last summer, but Ceri Jones says it's just a matter of picking the right time to get back in value stocks.
  • Darling set to cut growth forecasts
    12.03.08
    Chancellor Alistair Darling looks set to cut growth forecasts in his first budget as the economy faces its most challenging test in over a decade.
  • Go large in the markets
    Ken Fisher
    12.03.08
    The bad start to 2008 doesn't mean it's going to be a bad year, says Ken Fisher. He says to buy big - the bigger the better.
  • Slowing economy effects borrowing
    12.03.08
    Alistair Darling has cut his growth forecast for 2008 to 1.75% to 2.25%, and warned public borrowing would rise to £43 billion next year.
  • What you said: Bottoms up, Darling
    Sarah Modlock
    12.03.08
    The chancellor pushed alcohol duty 6% above inflation. Health groups welcomed the move, while some feel sensible drinkers are being punished.
  • Dogs of the FTSE
    Money Observer
    10.03.08
    A large helping of undervalued financial shares in this year's portfolio should make 2008 an improvement on last year, writes Heather Connon.
  • Service sector growth picks up
    05.03.08
    Growth in th service sector picked up to its fastest pace in five months in February and inflation pressures surged at their strongest in at least 12 years.
  • Banks back from the brink
    Ceri Jones
    03.03.08
    Despite the headlines, banks will bounce back, says Ceri Jones. In the meantime Lloyds, Standard Chartered and HSBC stand out. So do brokers Tullett Prebon and ICAP, and some foreign banks.
  • Financial products need simplifying
    03.03.08
    Investment banks have been told to simplify the products they are selling and investors should take more care in understanding complex products to prevent more regulation.
  • Good climate for energy efficiency stocks
    Ceri Jones
    28.02.08
    With the volatility of renewable energy shares often too tough for private investors to handle, companies that help with energy efficiency are a good play on climate change, says Ceri Jones.
  • More shocks to come for global economy
    Rebecca Atkinson
    27.02.08
    The deputy governor of the BoE believes the global economy is currently in the midst of the worst financial and banking crisis for nearly 70 years.
  • Is it the end for price comparison sites?
    Matthew Wall
    22.02.08
    Following Experian Group's announcement that it is to sell its US price comparison shopping website PriceGrabber, what now for the sector as a whole?
  • Rock nationalisation confirmed
    22.02.08
    Parliament passed legislation yesterday allowing the Government to nationalise Northern Rock, five months after the bank became a high-profile casualty of the global credit crunch.
  • MPs back Rock nationalisation
    Rebecca Atkinson
    20.02.08
    MPs have backed a new law that will allow the Government to take Northern Rock into temporary public ownership, reports Rebecca Atkinson.
  • Not much life in insurance
    Ceri Jones
    20.02.08
    Life insurance companies are beset by problems but foreign investors are keeping the sector alive. Ceri Jones reports.
  • Brown under fire over Rock decision
    18.02.08
    Prime minister Gordon Brown faces a political and public backlash today and possible litigation from irate shareholders, after his decision to take Northern Rock into public ownership.
  • Investors vent fury at Rock decison
    18.02.08
    Furious shareholders have vented their anger at the Government's decision to nationalise Northern Rock which looks set to render their investments worthless.
  • Pub sector is punch drunk
    Ceri Jones
    14.02.08
    Pubs are reeling from the credit crunch and the smoking ban, which means there's value to be found in booze and bars. Ceri Jones reports.
  • Yahoo seen in News Corp talks
    14.02.08
    Yahoo is in talks on a possible deal with News Corp, but analysts said an alternative was unlikely to emerge to rival Microsoft's bid for Yahoo - now valued at £21.4 billion.
  • Bradford & Bingley shares tumble
    13.02.08
    Mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley has seen its profits derailed and shares sent to a record low after taking a £94 million write-down on its exposure to tarnished assets.
  • Elections and filthy liars
    Ken Fisher
    13.02.08
    As the American presidency race heads towards its conclusion, investors may be wondering how it will affect share prices. Ken Fisher says the outlook for this year - and next - is good.
  • Yahoo rejects Microsoft bid as too low
    12.02.08
    Yahoo rejected Microsoft Corp's unsolicited £21.2 billion takeover offer on Monday, forcing the software maker either to sweeten the bid or adopt a hostile approach to clinch a deal.
  • Microsoft to raise Yahoo bid?
    06.02.08
    Sceptical investors are trading Yahoo shares at a discount to Microsoft's unofficial offer price, but some are expecting the software giant to raise its bid even higher.
  • Reduce - Recycle - Returns
    Ceri Jones
    06.02.08
    Supported by enough legislation to fill a landfill site, the waste management industry is on a high. From scrap metal to clinical waste, it all needs handling, says Ceri Jones.
  • Microsoft to borrow for Yahoo bid
    05.02.08
    Microsoft Corp has said that it may borrow money for the first time in its history to fund a portion of its £22.6 billion unsolicited offer for Yahoo.
  • Signs of life in the economy
    05.02.08
    The economy may not be slowing as much as initially feared after surveys showed a resilient services sector and housing market, but inflationary pressure remains.
  • Are the lights going out on energy site uSwitch?
    Matthew Wall
    01.02.08
    In an exclusive for Interactive Investor, Matthew Wall reports on how energy comparison site USwitch has been threatened with more staff cuts, due to continued poor performance.
  • Microsoft offers to buy Yahoo
    01.02.08
    Microsoft has made an unsolicited offer to buy Yahoo for £22.4 billion in cash and stock, as it seeks to join forces against Google.
  • Don't be fooled by the bounce
    Ceri Jones
    28.01.08
    The big story has been the rogue trader at SocGen, and while the markets may have shown some resilience, there are bigger issues lurking, warns Ceri Jones.
  • uSwitch next to fall?
    Matthew Wall
    25.01.08
    Speculation is beginning to mount over the future of uSwitch.com following rival SimplySwitch's impending demise. Matthew Wall reports exclusively for Interactive Investor.
  • SocGen suspend shares
    24.01.08
    French bank Societe Generale has disclosed one of the biggest alleged frauds in financial history, adding to a wave of gloom surrounding world markets battered by credit market losses.
  • Bank votes for steady rates
    23.01.08
    The Bank of England opted to keep interest rates at 5.5% as the majority of the MPC argued at its 9-10 January meeting that the short-run inflation outlook had "worsened markedly".
  • Brief respite follows Fed cut
    22.01.08
    A surprise 75 basis point interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve has failed to shift sentiment in sour global stockmarkets, providing only a temporary shot in the arm.
  • Energy price war claims first major casualty
    Matthew Wall
    22.01.08
    In an exclusive for Interactive Investor, Matthew Wall reports on the impending demise of utilities comparison site SimplySwitch, as competition heats up.
  • US recession fears hit stocks
    22.01.08
    Shares from Sydney to London have sunk for a second day, as investors dumped assets exposed to the risk of a global economic slowdown.
  • Where are the opportunities now?
    Ceri Jones
    22.01.08
    Storms in financial markets can throw up unexpected bargains. Ceri Jones looks for opportunities in today's market, where earnings and assets are going for a song.
  • Signs of life at property companies
    Ceri Jones
    16.01.08
    Since the Government introduced REITs last January, property companies have slumped 40%, but there is still life in some niches, says Ceri Jones.
  • So goes January
    Ken Fisher
    16.01.08
    Just because January started badly, it doesn't signal a year of market misery for investors, says Ken Fisher.
  • Don't rule out Russia
    Ceri Jones
    09.01.08
    Russia often gets bad press, but look beyond the headlines and opportunities abound in telecoms, banking and pharmaceuticals, says Ceri Jones.
  • L&G a solid defensive play
    Edmond Jackson
    04.01.08
    Legal & General has been de-rated along with the rest of the financial sector, but it is a sound business with good growth prospects says Edmond Jackson.
  • IT to Watch - Caledonian Trust
    Faith Glasgow
    03.01.08
    One of the UK's largest investment trusts, Caledonia Trust is self-managed and has a widening discount, making it an attractive proposition.
  • Five 'special situations' for 2008
    Edmond Jackson
    02.01.08
    Five shares that look interesting on a 12-month view. Together they are a mix of 'growth' and 'recovery' stocks, with an attractive risk/reward profile.
  • Read between the lines...
    Ken Fisher
    19.12.07
    Bad news is already priced into the market, says Ken Fisher. To play the markets in 2008 you need to look beyond the headlines to the factors really driving shares.
  • Banking: Weighing the recovery
    Ceri Jones
    12.12.07
    Banking is not a sector to be kept down for very long. At some stage, banks hammered by the credit crunch will recover, says Ceri Jones.
  • Globalisation drives on logistics
    Ceri Jones
    04.12.07
    As failing infrastructure gets upgraded and emerging markets continue to expand, the logistics sector has solid appeal for investors, reports Ceri Jones.
  • Time to dig for gold
    Ceri Jones
    28.11.07
    Gold has re-found its place in investors' hearts and - more importantly - their portfolios as it experiences its biggest jump since July 2006, says Ceri Jones.
  • Don't worry about the dollar
    Ken Fisher
    21.11.07
    Trade deficits don't necessarily lead to a weakened currency, reveals Ken Fisher. In fact, it could even lead to growth.
  • Africa: The new frontier
    Ceri Jones
    19.11.07
    Africa has been a big beneficiary of the recent credit crunch as institutional investors look for new sources of diversification, says Ceri Jones.
  • Credit crunches construction sector
    Ceri Jones
    14.11.07
    Could a temporary setback in the construction sector be a buying opportunity? Long-term, the infrastructure boom looks unstoppable, says Ceri Jones.
  • Horror on the high street
    Ceri Jones
    07.11.07
    It's going to be a tough Christmas for retailers: with bankers' bonuses slashed, the luxury market is under pressure. And shopkeepers are alienating customers with premature Christmas promotions.
  • The next big thing in commodities
    Ceri Jones
    30.10.07
    Missed the first leg of the commodities boom? Too late for agricultural commodities? There are still opportunities in less well understood commodities, says Ceri Jones.
  • Be thankful for high oil prices
    Ken Fisher
    24.10.07
    There's a new scare story in town, and it's rising oil prices. But it's as toothless as the credit crunch, says Ken Fisher, because there's no statistical correlation between oil and share prices.
  • Good pharma stocks do exist
    Ceri Jones
    23.10.07
    With valuations at 20-year lows, investors are shying away from the pharmaceutical lottery. The industry has its problems, but some companies deserve more consideration.
  • CGT boost for stockmarket
    Ceri Jones
    17.10.07
    The unintended consequences of the chancellor's CGT overhaul might bolster the stockmarket, says Ceri Jones, as families with large holdings sell up before the April rule change.
  • Healing the healthcare system
    Ceri Jones
    10.10.07
    Ageing, chronically ill populations are placing a potentially catastrophic burden on healthcare systems but IT, biotechnology, insurance and food companies are coming to the rescue.
  • Mining's great divide
    Ceri Jones
    03.10.07
    Investors are divided on mining. The bulls think demand from China and India has changed the rules of the game, but bears say we are at the top of the cycle. Ceri Jones reports.
  • The great bull market of 2008
    Ken Fisher
    26.09.07
    The UK stockmarket is in for a rip-roaring 2008 as President Bush lays off legislating in the fourth year of his term. What's good for the US is good for everyone, says Ken Fisher.
  • The new (mail) order
    Ceri Jones
    26.09.07
    Mail order is rescuing the High Street, as catalogues like Woolworths' Big Red Book take a larger share of the market. Ceri Jones looks at some of the winners in the mail order boom.
  • BoE injects £4.4 billion
    18.09.07
    The Bank of England pumped an emergency £4.4 billion pounds into money markets on Tuesday to bring overnight interest rates down.
  • No more bull
    Ceri Jones
    17.09.07
    The bail-out of Northern Rock is the first big tangible sign that the credit crisis cannot be contained within the financial sector, says Ceri Jones. A period of belt-tightening is overdue.
  • Property's seven-year itch
    Ceri Jones
    11.09.07
    The property sector has turned, says Ceri Jones, and as usual private investors were the last to bail out. For now, the best opportunities lie abroad.
  • Crunch time for bank stocks
    Ceri Jones
    03.09.07
    September should reveal the full extent of the fallout from the crisis in the debt markets, says Ceri Jones.
  • IT stocks at bargain prices
    Ceri Jones
    29.08.07
    Although the exponential rate of technological change is transforming the world's media and communication structures, IT stocks remain cheap.
  • Social network sites tempt investors
    28.08.07
    Social networking websites have fired up recent industry deal headlines and it now looks as if they could heat up the market for initial public offerings.
  • Positive future for activists
    Ceri Jones
    22.08.07
    Uncertainty in the global credit market has caused many leverage-financing deals around the world to be pulled since June.
  • Market Report: Certainty at last
    Ceri Jones
    14.08.07
    The only thing that is certain about the markets is they'll remain uncertain, says Ceri Jones. Shares are recovering, but equity investors don't really understand the credit markets.
  • Invest in everything
    Ceri Jones
    07.08.07
    From corn to interest rates, and biotechnology to private equity, you can trade exchange traded funds (ETFs) in almost anything these days. Ceri Jones surveys the market.
  • No rain on utilities' parade
    Ceri Jones
    02.08.07
    The UK utilities sector is contracting so fast it's in danger of disappearing. Whilst there may be time to profit from a second wave of consolidation the main opportunities are in the US and China.
  • Airlines flying higher
    Ceri Jones
    23.07.07
    Despite oil prices, airlines are raising prices and looking forward to a busy summer. It's a levelling out of sentiment in a sector that has notched up over 100 bankruptcies since the 1970s.
  • Finite resources stoke mining sector
    Ceri Jones
    17.07.07
    High commodity prices, mergers and acquisitions, shortages, and political risks are driving mining company shares ever higher, reports Ceri Jones. Alternative energy isn't yet plugging the gap.
  • Shares to beat the rate rises
    Ceri Jones
    10.07.07
    The latest interest rate rise could present more opportunities than threats, suggests Ceri Jones.
  • The truth about telecoms
    Ceri Jones
    02.07.07
    Despite all the hyperbole over Apple's iPhone, investors increasingly see the telecoms sector as defensive. Ceri Jones examines the opportunities in an industry riven with contradiction.
  • Market Report: Big is bountiful
    Ceri Jones
    25.06.07
    Since 2000, smaller companies have been much better investments than the biggest. That could be about to change, suggest Ceri Jones.
  • Life insurance: the forgotten sector
    Ceri Jones
    19.06.07
    While banks have re-rated since 2003, everybody's ignoring insurance. But, life companies are better now and the sector is bubbling with M&As and expectations of growth.
  • Stop worrying about interest rates
    Ceri Jones
    11.06.07
    Rising interest rates spooked stockmarkets last week, but they will probably not rise much further. Central banks are responding to a stronger global economy, reports Ceri Jones.
  • Market Report: Few bargains in retail
    Ceri Jones
    05.06.07
    Bargains may be two-a-penny on the high street, but shares in the companies that run the stores are expensive, says Ceri Jones.
  • Volatile natural resources
    Faith Glasgow
    31.05.07
    Natural resources are an unpredictable but potentially highly lucrative investment sector. Faith Glasgow unearths the potential and explains how you can cash in.
  • Pendulum swings for SRI
    Ceri Jones
    29.05.07
    There is a belief in the City that companies with excellent corporate social performance are better run. Ceri Jones picks out United Technologies, Fiat, Yell and Pearson.
  • Party time for holiday companies
    Ceri Jones
    21.05.07
    For Britain's aging population, holidays are a necessity while the rivalry between Boeing and Airbus brings down plane prices. Holiday companies, online and off, are making hay while the sun shines.
  • Who's next in the takeover frenzy?
    Ceri Jones
    15.05.07
    With Rio Tinto in the frame, it seems no company is too big to be taken over. Ceri Jones picks out some likely candidates. From ITV to Forth Ports, ego and easy money are driving speculation.
  • Market Report: Water, water everywhere
    Ceri Jones
    08.05.07
    Demand for water is insatiable while climate change and population pressure mean it's in short supply. Ceri Jones investigates the investment opportunities.
  • Market Report: Inflationary times
    Ceri Jones
    01.05.07
    March saw the highest jump in inflation for nearly 16 years, says Ceri Jones, but there are still some good arguments that the market remains quite cheap.
  • Market Report: Food for growth
    Ceri Jones
    23.04.07
    Outwardly, food is a steady growth market. But beneath the trend, fashion, legislation, and raw materials prices drive food producers' fortunes: Ceri Jones picks 'n mixes the stocks.
  • Market Report: Conflict is a growth industry
    Ceri Jones
    17.04.07
    With the US targeting global military dominance and other nations playing catch up, companies like BAE, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and even Logica are sitting pretty.
  • Market Report: Publishers back in fashion
    Ceri Jones
    10.04.07
    It's been a gloomy decade for publishers, but that's changing. Companies are restructuring, trading is looking up, and the City's interested, even if nobody's reading newspapers these days.
  • Hidden value in housebuilders
    Ceri Jones
    03.04.07
    Takeover talk is lifting the prices of housebuilders. Ceri Jones scours the market to find value hidden in smaller companies, planning specialists, and eco-builders.
  • The bogey in Brown's business Budget
    Ceri Jones
    26.03.07
    The Budget for business turned out to be a Budget for some businesses. The owners and managers of big financial companies are laughing. Less so smaller, capital-intensive businesses, says Ceri Jones.
  • Budget winners and losers
    Ceri Jones
    19.03.07
    Property firms, miners, transporters, airlines, light-bulb manufacturers, biodiesel producers, private equity, and investors in AIM stocks will be watching on Wednesday with anticipation, or anxiety.
  • Market Report: Finding gems in the waste
    Ceri Jones
    12.03.07
    Waste management, builders' merchants, and plant-hire companies are where the action is in London's sprawling support services sector, explains Ceri Jones.
  • Market is not facing 2000-style meltdown
    Ceri Jones
    05.03.07
    It's a correction, not a crash say UK investors. Unlike 2000, the big stocks that anchor the stockmarket are cheap. What's more they're making record profits and paying out big dividends.
  • Market Report: China crisis
    Ceri Jones
    26.02.07
    Something's wrong in China - infrastructure is outstripping demand, valuations are high, the data isn't trustworthy, and banking problems are pushed under the carpet, says Ceri Jones.
  • Market Report: Preparing for the flu
    Ceri Jones
    20.02.07
    As with any other new development, there's money to be made from the possibility of a flu pandemic, and money to be lost if it never actually happens. UK stockbrokers are surprisingly complacent though.
  • Biotech is back
    Ceri Jones
    13.02.07
    Big pharmaceutical companies are increasingly reliant on smaller firms to augment their depleting drug pipelines, so Biotech is moving on from the days of one-drug boom-or-bust operations, says Ceri Jones.
  • Sin stock holders unlikely to repent
    Ceri Jones
    06.02.07
    Smokers, gamblers and voyeurs take little notice of market cycles - that's why investors love 'em, says Ceri Jones. Emerging markets are there for the taking, if you'll take the dividends of sin.
  • Exchange Traded Funds evolve
    Ceri Jones
    30.01.07
    ETFs have always promised to cut out the middleman by tracking indices and sectors - now they're becoming smarter. Ceri Jones reports on developments in the US.
  • Technology rebound will be different
    Ceri Jones
    22.01.07
    Broadband-enabled rich media and software services are driving a tech revival. But don't expect the class of 2000 to lead the way; newer companies with less baggage are the new dotcom darlings.
  • High Street winners and losers
    Ceri Jones
    15.01.07
    The High Street didn't melt down over Christmas, though bits of it suffered. Customers of niche stores are defecting to the generalists: Ceri Jones picks out the winners and losers.
  • Dollar decline haunts FTSE giants
    Ceri Jones
    09.01.07
    A weakening dollar could hit the profits of Europe's biggest companies by more than 4% in 2007. Ceri Jones picks out potential losers, and winners.
  • Renewables step into the mainstream
    Ceri Jones
    31.12.06
    Money is pouring into renewable energy, driven by concerns about climate change, high energy prices and the falling cost of alternatives. Ceri Jones reports on opportunities around the globe.
  • Alternate reality for markets in 2007
    Ceri Jones
    27.12.06
    The outlook for the US suddenly looks more optimistic just when investors have got used to writing it off. Contrary to expectations, the rest of the world may be deteriorating.
  • Commercial property fit to burst
    Ceri Jones
    19.12.06
    UK total returns from commercial property may be peaking, but retail investors are still piling in. They might do better looking further a field, suggests Ceri Jones.
  • Bye bye UK plc
    Ceri Jones
    12.12.06
    As household names are sold to foreign capitalists there's little doubt UK plc is becoming increasingly multicultural. The big winner is the City of London, says Ceri Jones.
  • Transferring football's profits
    Ceri Jones
    05.12.06
    In 1960, Denis Law's transfer fee set the critics tutting when he joined Man City for a cool £55,000. Today the game is awash with cash, and a couple of funds claim to offer investors a cut.
  • The investor buys Prada
    Ceri Jones
    28.11.06
    The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer, says Ceri Jones. Investors who would be richer can tap into companies whose products pander to the growing ranks of the super-rich.
  • No blow-out in private equity
    Ceri Jones
    20.11.06
    When selling a business it's in the interest of private equity firms - despite heavy borrowing - to get the sums right. Ventures can fail though, so it's prudent to diversify.
  • Bun fight in food services
    Ceri Jones
    14.11.06
    Britons eat out more often than they eat in, yet spend little more than they did in 2003. JD Wetherspoon sells as much coffee as Caffe Nero. Ceri Jones makes sense of a dining market in turmoil.
  • Playing the speculation game
    Ceri Jones
    07.11.06
    Tired of trying to make money in the real world, speculators are trying out the virtual worlds of online games where domain names and even clothes are traded, explains Ceri Jones.
  • Take care with overseas flurry
    Jennifer Hill
    06.11.06
    Investors should exercise caution over the flood of foreign IPOs expected over coming months, warns Jennifer Hill.
  • The revolution will be televised
    Ceri Jones
    31.10.06
    If the big fear of retailers in the late 1990s was of being Amazoned, the fear now for the music, video and game retailers is that their services will be circumvented altogether, says Ceri Jones.
  • Poles apart
    Ceri Jones
    20.10.06
    Due to the influx of new immigrants, many market commentators are gloomy on the UK jobs outlook, but there are many positive things going on in the UK economy, points out Ceri Jones.
  • Gambling on online gambling
    Ceri Jones
    16.10.06
    If you ever wanted proof of investors ignoring factors that don't support a business case, the Armageddon in online gambling stocks has provided it, says Ceri Jones.
  • Rebuilding the West
    Ceri Jones
    10.10.06
    Once seen as a stodgy, low margin sector, construction is booming as governments across Europe rebuild their dodgy infrastructure, paying for it with private finance deals pioneered in the UK.
  • Flying high, crashing low
    Ceri Jones
    03.10.06
    The airline industry is set to record its first profit in six years but most of the industry's bogeymen are alive and circling, says Ceri Jones. Are investors ignoring the risks?
  • Investors face US nightmare
    Ceri Jones
    26.09.06
    The Federal Reserve is caught between a rock and a hard place. While roaring consumption and a depreciating dollar point to interest rate rises, pricking the house price bubble could trigger meltdown.
  • What's wrong with AIM?
    Ceri Jones
    19.09.06
    Not long ago fully-listed companies were queuing to join the junior market. Now they're headed the other way. If the trickle of tiddlers becomes a tidal wave it could be easy money for investors.
  • High quality banks going cheap
    Ceri Jones
    12.09.06
    Banks are economic immortals, channelling business whatever industry is in vogue. They're benefiting from consolidation at home and emerging economies abroad, yet quality banks look cheapest of all.
  • Is it worth investing in emerging markets?
    Rob Griffin
    04.09.06
    Investors flocked to buy into emerging markets in 2005 but in May this year the wheels finally came off the bandwagon. So is the sector now ready to bounce back?
  • Market is detached from reality
    Ceri Jones
    30.08.06
    In uncertain times investors seek out sectors that will hold-up even if the market tanks. But there's a bear squeeze on, and defensive stocks aren't as safe as they used to be, says Ceri Jones.
  • The devil within booming markets
    Ceri Jones
    23.08.06
    Booming commodity, stock, and property prices are increasingly correlated. It's great when markets move in the same direction, as long as it's up. But when prices fall, there's nowhere to turn.
  • Manic mining in Latin America
    Ceri Jones
    16.08.06
    Sitting on a large chunk of the world's minerals, it's boom time for Latin America. Ceri Jones surveys some of the continent's most admired miners, and other investment opportunities.
  • Markets to fall in September
    Peter Temple
    15.08.06
    Companies often pre-announce their results, especially if the news is bad. Following their lead, Peter Temple, writes a 'pre-announcement' for the whole market, and it's bad news, he's afraid.
  • Markets targets AIM defectors
    11.08.06
    Equity market operator PLUS Markets Group Plc hopes to attract smaller companies put off by the rapid growth of its much larger London rival, AIM, a senior PMG executive said.
  • A penny for your shares
    Alexander Davidson
    01.08.06
    You can make money trading penny shares, but you need to master the many pitfalls. Alexander Davidson explains the dangers, from foreign boiler room scams to wide spreads.
  • Playing catch-up in Central Europe
    Ceri Jones
    26.07.06
    Czechs, Poles and Hungarians are voracious consumers but it will take years for them to catch up with us. Investors are targeting the banks, and telecoms and property companies.
  • Market skating on thin ice
    Peter Temple
    17.07.06
    Judging by the price chart, the stockmarket is recovering well from setbacks in May and June. The odds are 2:1 in favour of rises in August, but Peter Temple remains unconvinced.
  • The new Asian tigers
    Ceri Jones
    12.07.06
    Investors have been telling China and India stories for so long they hardly seem to qualify as emerging markets, but there's a tier of potential tigers often overlooked by Western investors.
  • Art versus mart
    Peter Temple
    04.07.06
    Although modern art is fetching record prices at auction, if it's returns you're after, you're better off in the stockmarket, or stamps, or coins, or books, says Peter Temple.
  • One bounce doesn't make a summer
    Peter Temple
    19.06.06
    Taking in the bigger picture, the recent sell-off looks like a blip, says Peter Temple. But he expects the market to test 5500 again. If it holds, the worst could be behind us.
  • World Cup winners and losers
    Ceri Jones
    07.06.06
    From fridges to flat screens, football-happy fans are set to splurge this summer. But some businesses will be silently praying for a short run from England, as workers and holidaymakers stay home.
  • Summer shake-out for shares
    Peter Temple
    19.05.06
    After a sell-off in the FTSE100, the next targets are second line stocks, says Peter Temple. But with commodities priced in dollars, and bonds looking pricey, the alternatives aren't too attractive.
  • Oil traders not to blame for price spike
    Peter Temple
    28.04.06
    George Bush should look closer to home, says Peter Temple. Speculators don't create trends, they jump on bandwagons. Sabre rattling over Iran set this one rolling.
  • Stockmarket is 'pregnant with risk'
    Peter Temple
    25.04.06
    The market looks cheap, but justifiably so. Don't let the equity risk premium tell you otherwise. When retail investors pile in on both sides of the Atlantic, take care, warns Peter Temple.
  • Some headroom left for market
    Peter Temple
    20.03.06
    With the FTSE clearing 6,000, it could be time to consider switching to defensive stocks. 'Toppy' markets can always go higher but as they do highly rated growth plays look more risky, says Peter Temple.
  • The investor's Olympic sport
    Steve McDowell
    07.03.06
    If poker was an Olympic sport, says Stephen McDowell, it would be the investor's favourite.
  • What really moves metal prices?
    Peter Temple
    30.01.06
    Metals, particularly precious metals, have long exerted a pull over investors. The enthusiasm waxes and wanes, but there is usually an investment angle to be exploited. What is usually the case is that existing mines and potential future mine projects have a built-in cost of extracting the finished product, and therefore their profitability or otherwise depends on the price of the metal. This also gives them operational gearing. A gold mine with an operating cost per ounce of $300 is twice as profitable with gold at $500 as it is with gold at $400.
  • Singing the bull market blues
    Peter Temple
    24.01.06
    It's rare for gold and equities to rise together. Peter Temple thinks it's the gold that's undervalued.
  • Beware those 'sure-fire' share tips
    Tony Hetherington
    20.01.06
    Finance markets can be volatile and it's easy to fall prey to exciting sounding oppportunities. So watch out for the dodgy dealers and their reject share offerings.