Firering Strategic Minerals: From explorer to producer. 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 midday: Stocks erase losses but weak earnings limit upside

Thu, 30th Apr 2015 12:02

Uncertainty surrounding US monetary policy and a raft of poorly-received corporate earnings kept the FTSE 100 flat on Thursday morning, with the index fluctuating at its lowest in three weeks.The FTSE 100 was up just 0.09% at 6,952.66 by midday, with RBS, IAG and Schroders limiting upside after disappointing with results, while a number of other blue chips went ex-dividend. Nevertheless, the index did bounce off an intraday low of 6,906.24 reached early on.A 2.2% sell-off over the past two sessions saw the Footsie retreat from Monday's all-time closing high of 7,103.98 to 6,946.28 as of Wednesday's close. This was the lowest finish for the index since 8 April.Wednesday's Federal Reserve policy statement was in focus after officials issued a cautiously optimistic outlook on the economy, saying that the current economic slowdown is only temporary. This followed data showing that annualised US gross domestic product growth slowed to just 0.2% in the first quarter from 2.2% previously.Analysts at Danske Bank reckon that the Fed is still on track to hike rates by 25 basis points in September.However, Barclays said that the statement still left the door open for a rate hike as soon as June: "In our view, the lack of any specific calendar time suggests June will be a 'live' meeting, where rate hike deliberations will begin in more earnest."In economic data on Thursday, Eurozone consumer prices registered zero growth in April compared to a year ago, as expected by analysts. This was an improvement from the 0.1% annual decline seen in March.Meanwhile, Eurozone unemployment was unchanged at 11.3% in March, disappointing analysts who had expected a decline to 11.2%.IAG, RBS and Schroders fallAirline conglomerate IAG underwhelmed despite making its first-ever profit in the first quarter. The company beat expectations with an operating profit of €25m, compared with a €150m loss the year before.Royal Bank of Scotland made a £446m loss in the first quarter of the year, more than double what had been feared as it was hit by £453m of restructuring costs and set aside £856m for litigation and conduct charges.Financial services giant Schroders also fell as profits for the first quarter missed forecasts. The company did however beat estimates with a 6.5% increase in assets under management to £319.5bn.Royal Dutch Shell revealed a 56% drop in first-quarter earnings to $3.25bn but that wasn't as bad as the $2.5bn expected, helping the stock higher. Shell also shaved its capital investment budget for 2015 by $2bn to "$33bn or less".Medical services group Smith & Nephew edged higher as it reported a slight increase in first quarter revenue and reiterated its expectations for 2015.Shares in RPS Group dropped sharply after the industrial consultancy outfit said the continuing volatility in the oil and gas sector meant its energy business had a slower-than-expected start to the year.Zoopla, the residential property website group, soared after agreeing to acquire utility price comparison site uSwitch for up to £190m.A number of stocks were trading lower after going ex-dividend, including Centrica, Fresnillo, ITV, Reed Elsevier and Travis Perkins. Market MoverstechMARK 3,186.47 -0.02%FTSE 100 6,952.66 +0.09%FTSE 250 17,476.74 -0.03%FTSE 100 - RisersRoyal Mail (RMG) 466.60p +5.04%Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,861.00p +2.51%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 473.00p +1.48%Shire Plc (SHP) 5,360.00p +1.32%Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,095.00p +1.26%Persimmon (PSN) 1,703.00p +1.25%Barratt Developments (BDEV) 518.00p +1.17%Sports Direct International (SPD) 611.00p +1.08%St James's Place (STJ) 887.00p +1.03%Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 3,204.00p +1.01%FTSE 100 - FallersITV (ITV) 251.10p -4.71%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 333.70p -4.52%Centrica (CNA) 256.60p -4.11%Anglo American (AAL) 1,103.50p -3.07%International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 544.50p -2.59%Fresnillo (FRES) 724.50p -1.96%Meggitt (MGGT) 526.50p -1.59%Antofagasta (ANTO) 772.00p -1.53%Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 187.70p -1.52%Reed Elsevier (REL) 1,073.00p -1.47%FTSE 250 - RisersZoopla Property Group (WI) (ZPLA) 209.80p +13.41%NMC Health (NMC) 743.00p +4.57%TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 367.40p +3.52%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 82.25p +2.36%Premier Oil (PMO) 178.40p +2.29%Countrywide (CWD) 525.50p +2.24%Cairn Energy (CNE) 182.40p +2.18%UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company (UDG) 539.00p +2.08%Greencore Group (GNC) 355.40p +1.98%Galliford Try (GFRD) 1,497.00p +1.84%FTSE 250 - FallersOphir Energy (OPHR) 144.00p -11.06%RPS Group (RPS) 214.20p -9.28%Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,196.00p -8.21%Berendsen (BRSN) 1,039.00p -4.59%Vedanta Resources (VED) 614.00p -2.92%Rexam (REX) 568.00p -2.66%Polymetal International (POLY) 524.50p -2.51%Cobham (COB) 294.80p -2.51%William Hill (WMH) 357.50p -2.51%National Express Group (NEX) 286.80p -2.45%
More News
31 Dec 2021 13:08

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Muted finish as FTSE 100 rallies 14% in 2021

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Muted finish as FTSE 100 rallies 14% in 2021

Read more
30 Dec 2021 09:28

UPDATE 2-FTSE 100 edges down as COVID fears dull festive cheer

(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)* Industrial stocks eye best performance in 23 years* Travel and leisure hit by Omicron fears* Ashtead the top YTD performer on FTSE 100* UK ...

Read more
30 Dec 2021 05:33

UPDATE 5-Oil prices rise slightly ahead of OPEC+ meeting next week

* U.S. crude, fuel stocks fell last week; output rises -EIA* Saudi king says OPEC+ pact 'essential' for oil market stability (New throughout, updates prices, market activity and comments to settlement, adds OPEC+ meeting details and PSM details)By...

Read more
28 Dec 2021 09:41

S.African court halts Shell's offshore seismic survey

CAPE TOWN, Dec 28 (Reuters) - A South African high court on Tuesday blocked Shell from conducting seismic testing offshore from South Africa's pristine Wild Coast, in the latest ruling in a case seeking to prevent the oil major from exploring for...

Read more
27 Dec 2021 14:01

Mexican president says Pemex to close Deer Park deal in January

MEXICO CITY, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Mexican state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) will complete its purchase of a controlling interest in a Texas oil refinery in January, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday.Mexico's go...

Read more
24 Dec 2021 10:03

UPDATE 1-Russia says Europe missing out on gas with Nord Stream 2 delay

(Recasts, adds quote, background)MOSCOW, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Europe, struggling with soaring gas prices, is missing out on additional Russian supplies amid delays to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a top Russian official signalled on Friday.Deputy Prim...

Read more
24 Dec 2021 08:26

Russia's Novak: Nord Stream 2 hindered by politics

MOSCOW, Dec 24 (Reuters) - The launch of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline is being hindered by politics, but Russia still hopes its certification will be completed by mid-2022, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.The...

Read more
24 Dec 2021 08:19

Russia says Nord Stream 2 a bargaining chip for U.S., EU, Interfax reports

MOSCOW, Dec 24 (Reuters) - The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project linking Russia with Europe has become a bargaining chip in a game played by the United States and the European Union, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday, ...

Read more
23 Dec 2021 14:14

Third Point's Loeb slams activists after UK fund chairman quits

LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Hedge fund Third Point's boss Dan Loeb on Thursday blamed the departure of the chairman of the firm's London-listed fund on "inexperienced" and "juvenile antics" of activist investors.Third Point Investors Limited (TPIL)...

Read more
22 Dec 2021 20:56

Shell declares force majeure on Nigerian Forcados crude

LAGOS, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell's Nigerian subsidiary SPDC has declared force majeure on exports of Nigerian Forcados crude oil after the obstruction of a tanker path by a malfunctioning barge, the company said in a statement.The actio...

Read more
22 Dec 2021 13:49

UPDATE 3-Mexico says U.S. approves Deer Park refinery deal, sees completion early 2022

(Adds details)MEXICO CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has authorized the purchase by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) of Royal Dutch Shell's controlling interest in a Texas oil refinery in a transaction that should conclude early next year,...

Read more
22 Dec 2021 13:49

UPDATE 2-Mexico says U.S. government approves Deer Park refinery deal

(Adds context, comment from Pemex CEO)MEXICO CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has authorized the purchase by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) of Royal Dutch Shell's controlling interest in a Texas oil refinery, Mexican President Andres Manu...

Read more
22 Dec 2021 13:49

UPDATE 1-Mexico says U.S. government approves Deer Park refinery deal

(Adds details)MEXICO CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has authorized the purchase by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) of Royal Dutch Shell's controlling interest in a Texas oil refinery, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on...

Read more
22 Dec 2021 13:15

Mexico says U.S. government approves Deer Park refinery deal

MEXICO CITY, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has authorized the purchase by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) of Royal Dutch Shell's controlling interest in a Texas oil refinery, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday.Lo...

Read more
21 Dec 2021 19:06

UPDATE 1-Texas lawsuit by laundromat owners seeks to block Shell refinery sale to Pemex

(Adds U.S. Treasury, CFIUS decline to comment)By Stefanie Eschenbacher and Gary McWilliamsMEXICO CITY/HOUSTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - A pair of New York businessmen filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court seeking to block Mexico's state oil company Petroleos M...

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.