Roundtable Discussion; The Future of Mineral Sands. Watch the video here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksRDSA.L Share News (RDSA)

  • There is currently no data for RDSA

Watchlists are a member only feature

Login to your account

Alerts are a premium feature

Login to your account

London close: Political uncertainty hits stocks hard

Wed, 03rd Jul 2013 16:44

The UK market suffered steep falls on Wednesday as risk appetite was hit by disappointing economic data from China, political uncertainty in Portugal and fears of a military coup in Egypt.Nerves were also on edge ahead of policy decisions from the Bank of England and European Central Bank tomorrow, as well as the all-important US jobs report on Friday which could determine when the Federal Reserve will begin to scale back stimulus.The FTSE 100 finished 74 points lower at 6,230 today, a fall of nearly 1.2%, though the index closed well off its intraday low of 6,185 after some strong labour-market data from the States prompted a strong start on Wall Street. US jobless claims fell by more than expected last week while the ADP employment report - often seen as a rough indicator to Friday's government figures - showed a much strong-than-forecast increase in private payrolls.Economic data disappoints; chaos in Portugal and EgyptThe London market got off to a poor start this morning after official data from the Chinese services sector showed that business activity fell to a nine-month low in June: the Chinese non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) declined from 54.3 to 53.9 last month.The Eurozone services PMI also disappointed, falling from 48.6 to 48.3 in June (forecast: no change). However, one bright spot came from the UK where economic data continues to impress: the UK services PMI rose from 54.9 to 56.9, its best reading since March 2011 (forecast: 55.0).Political turmoil in Portugal was a major concern for markets today after resignations of both the Finance Minister and Foreign Minister over the last few days. There are concerns that early elections may occur given that anti-austerity rallies continue to gather support.Meanwhile, a showdown between Egyptian military and President Mohammed Morsi continued to make headlines today as the Premier refuses to step down despite violent protests sweeping the country.FTSE 100: Miners hit in market sell-offMining stocks were once again bearing the brunt of a fall in risk appetite after the disappointing economic data from China. Anglo American, Glencore Xstrata, BHP Billiton, Vedanta and Antofagasta were among the worst performers. Among the risers today was engineer and automotive components maker GKN after data out last night showed that US vehicle sales came in much better than expectations in June. Tullow Oil was also firmly higher after a strong first-half operational update. The company said that revenue totalled $1.3bn, slightly ahead of the $1.2bn reported the year before, as the company upgraded its resource estimates for certain projects in Kenya. Sector peer Shell however fell despite revealing upbeat drilling results from an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico. The well, located 75 miles offshore in the De Soto Cayon Block 393, encountered more than 500ft of net oil pay, but that wasn't enough to boost the share price today.Burberry was trading firmly in the red after going ex-dividend, along with heavyweights British Land and Babcock.Banking group Barclays was also lower after S&P cut its credit rating by one notch, saying that its debt holders "face heightened credit risk owing to the industry's tighter regulation, fragile global markets, stagnant European economies and rising litigation risk stemming from the financial crisis".UBS upgraded its rating for chip designer ARM Holdings from 'neutral' to 'buy', causing shares to rise strongly today, as the broker downplayed recent negative newsflow regarding concerns over rising competition.FTSE 250: Miners hit in market sell-offTelecoms testing company Spirent Communications slumped after saying revenue in the first half would fall 20% due to lower orders in the first quarter and weak performance at its networks and applications unit.Domino's Pizza Group retreated after warning annual losses at its fledging German business would be higher than anticipated due to an increase in training costs and poor performance at some of its stores. PZ Cussons continued to rise after the consumer products group announced on Tuesday it would buy Australian baby food company Rafferty's Garden. The stock was given an extra boost today by Canaccord Genuity which upgraded the shares to 'buy'.FTSE 100 - RisersTullow Oil (TLW) 1,061.00p +2.71%Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) 212.40p +2.66%GKN (GKN) 307.80p +1.92%ITV (ITV) 146.90p +1.73%ARM Holdings (ARM) 820.50p +1.61%London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 1,416.00p +1.43%TUI Travel (TT.) 360.20p +1.15%Severn Trent (SVT) 1,704.00p +1.13%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,184.00p +0.84%G4S (GFS) 226.40p +0.80%FTSE 100 - FallersAnglo American (AAL) 1,207.00p -5.70%CRH (CRH) 1,292.00p -4.58%Weir Group (WEIR) 2,077.00p -3.80%Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,009.00p -2.89%Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,086.00p -2.60%Glencore Xstrata (GLEN) 269.00p -2.54%Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,370.00p -2.49%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,427.50p -2.46%InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 1,845.00p -2.38%BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,670.50p -2.37%FTSE 250 - RisersRegus (RGU) 168.90p +5.04%PZ Cussons (PZC) 389.70p +4.48%Kier Group (KIE) 1,214.00p +3.67%Workspace Group (WKP) 423.00p +2.87%Alent (ALNT) 353.50p +2.67%Dignity (DTY) 1,440.00p +2.35%Hiscox Ltd (HSX) 574.50p +2.22%Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,000.00p +2.04%Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 114.80p +2.04%Galliford Try (GFRD) 975.00p +1.99%FTSE 250 - FallersSpirent Communications (SPT) 124.80p -7.14%Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 641.50p -4.11%De La Rue (DLAR) 946.00p -3.96%UBM (UBM) 639.00p -3.91%Mondi (MNDI) 810.50p -3.74%Ferrexpo (FXPO) 134.50p -3.72%Homeserve (HSV) 275.10p -3.68%Renishaw (RSW) 1,500.00p -3.16%Fenner (FENR) 306.20p -3.01%Perform Group (PER) 490.00p -2.97%
More News
20 Jan 2022 12:01

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: FTSE 100 stalls as AB Foods drags on index

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: FTSE 100 stalls as AB Foods drags on index

Read more
20 Jan 2022 09:54

UPDATE 2-Oil stocks, GSK weakness pull FTSE 100 lower; Deliveroo jumps

(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)* Deliveroo fourth-quarter order growth jumps* Premier Foods top midcap gainer on strong profit outlook* Unilever abandons plan to buy GSK's ...

Read more
19 Jan 2022 21:37

Shell to carry out Pernis, Netherlands oil refinery maintenance until end of June

AMSTERDAM, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell said on Wednesday it plans to carry out major maintenance work at its Pernis oil refinery in the Netherlands in the coming five months."We will inspect a large number of installations from the insid...

Read more
19 Jan 2022 08:56

LONDON MARKET OPEN: FTSE 100 steady despite UK inflation intensifying

LONDON MARKET OPEN: FTSE 100 steady despite UK inflation intensifying

Read more
18 Jan 2022 17:05

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Stocks fall on worries over higher interest rates

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Stocks fall on worries over higher interest rates

Read more
18 Jan 2022 13:08

UPDATE 1-Norway awards 53 new petroleum production licences

(Adds detail, quotes)OSLO, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Norway awarded 53 new petroleum production licences on the Norwegian continental shelf in the latest licensing round for mature areas, the oil and energy ministry said on Tuesday.Stakes were offered to...

Read more
18 Jan 2022 13:00

Angry investors seek to appoint board member to Third Point UK fund

LONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Activist investors in Third Point's London-listed fund want independent director Richard Boleat appointed to the board to improve corporate governance, they said in a letter to shareholders on Tuesday.Third Point Investo...

Read more
18 Jan 2022 12:51

UPDATE 2-Climate activists lose court case against UK oil regulator

(Adds reaction from government minister)By Shadia NasrallaLONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - A UK High Court on Tuesday threw out a case brought by climate activists against the country's oil and gas regulator OGA, rejecting their argument that the OGA's ...

Read more
18 Jan 2022 12:51

UPDATE 1-Climate activists lose court case against UK oil regulator

(Add climate activists' response)By Shadia NasrallaLONDON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - A UK High Court on Tuesday threw out a case brought by climate activists against the country's oil and gas regulator OGA, rejecting their argument that the OGA's actions...

Read more
18 Jan 2022 12:14

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Markets red as inflation worries return to fore

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Markets red as inflation worries return to fore

Read more
18 Jan 2022 09:44

LONDON BROKER RATINGS: Goldman Sachs raises BT to Conviction Buy

LONDON BROKER RATINGS: Goldman Sachs raises BT to Conviction Buy

Read more
18 Jan 2022 09:03

LONDON MARKET OPEN: FTSE 100 slips despite oil boosting BP and Shell

LONDON MARKET OPEN: FTSE 100 slips despite oil boosting BP and Shell

Read more
17 Jan 2022 10:33

UPDATE 2-Oil majors, Iberdrola among winners set to harness Scottish wind

(Updates throughout)By Nina ChestneyLONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Utility Iberdrola and oil majors BP and Shell are among companies offered seabed rights to develop offshore wind projects in the first tender of its kind in over a decade, Crown Estate...

Read more
17 Jan 2022 10:33

UPDATE 3-Scottish wind sale nets nearly $1 billion with Shell, BP among winners

(Adds comment from Shell, BP, analysts)By Nina ChestneyLONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - BP, Shell and utility Iberdrola were among the winners of seabed rights to develop Scottish offshore wind projects, in an auction which raised nearly 700 million pou...

Read more
17 Jan 2022 10:33

UPDATE 1-Crown Estate Scotland offers 17 projects seabed rights for offshore wind

(Adds more detail)By Nina ChestneyLONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Crown Estate Scotland said on Monday it has offered seabed right agreements to 17 projects in its ScotWind leasing round which is aimed at supporting wind energy development.Out of 74 ap...

Read more

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.