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Charles Jillings, CEO of Utilico, energized by strong economic momentum across Latin America
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London close: Stocks pare gains after US ISM data

Mon, 03rd Dec 2012 16:52

- US manufacturing sector in contraction- Chinese and India data lifts markets early on- Banking fall after BoE FLS detailsThe FTSE 100 index was set to finish Monday's session with decent gains until a worse-than-expected reading of US manufacturing caused markets across Europe to trim gains by the close."Europe's markets have once again struggled near their recent range highs with the FTSE 100 in particular underperforming, as investors try to dissect a raft of fairly mixed economic data from across Asia, Europe and the US," said market analyst Michael Hewson from CMC Markets. Markets opened strongly this morning after the HSBC China purchasing managers' index (PMI) increased from 49.5 to 50.5 in November, in line with the preliminary estimates. Meanwhile, the official PMI from National Bureau of Statistics rose to a seven-month high of 50.6, up from 50.2 in October. Elsewhere, India's manufacturing PMI recorded its fastest growth in five months, coming in at 53.7.The Markit UK manufacturing PMI rose to 49.1 in November, up from a three-month low of 47.3 in October and above the consensus prediction of 48. However the sector still remains in contraction with figures staying below 50.Markets gave a muted reaction to the details of Greece's bond buy-back offer today with the Footsie holding on to gains after Athens said this morning that it will be repurchasing up to €10bn of its own debt.However, sentiment was dampened after the US Institute for Supply Management (ISM) PMI fell from 51.7 to 49.5 in November, well below the 51.4 forecast."Though construction spending in the US and vehicle sales from major auto giants rose sharply, the damage by the ISM number was enough to push the bulls to run for cover," said market strategist Ishaq Siddiqi from ETX Capital.FTSE 100: Banks fall after BoE lending scheme underwhelmsUK banking group Lloyds was under the weather after the release of the details of the Bank of England's (BoE's) Funding For Lending (FLS) scheme in the third quarter. The BoE revealed that Lloyds, along with RBS, had cut net lending by £2.77bn and £642m, respectively, in the three months to the end of September, while banking peer Barclays had increased it by £3.8bn.Analyst Ian Gordon from Investec said: "Lest we forget, Lloyds has promised to keep shrinking its core lending book until mid-2013."Net lending by all participants of the scheme totalled just £500m while total FLS drawdowns from the Bank were £4.4bn.After an earlier rise, precious metals giant Polymetal fell into the red despite announcing this morning that it has doubled its mineral resources estimate at its Albazino project in the Khabarovsk territory, Russia. Meanwhile, some ratings changes were having their usual effect on stocks this morning: RSA Insurance gained after Deutsche Bank lifted its recommendation to 'buy'; Schroders rose after Bank of America ML raised it to a 'buy'; while Shell fell after Deutsche Bank downgraded the stock to 'hold'.Terrestrial broadcaster ITV was higher after reporting that the final of reality TV show 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' had a peak audience of 10.6m, which was an impressive 47% share of TV viewers, according to Investec. FTSE 250 movers: C&W Comms jumps after disposal  Cable & Wireless Communications surged on Monday after agreeing to sell the majority of its businesses in its Monaco & Islands division as it attempts to scale back its geographic footprint and pay down debt.CWC is selling the assets to Bahraini telecoms firm Batelco Group for an enterprise value of $680m. Batelco also has the option to buy the remaining 75% stake in Compagnie Monegasque de Communication for $345m. The total proceeds of $1,025m, when the sale of the remaining stake in CMC is factored in, is some 35% ahead of analysts' valuations of $750m.Mortgage provider Paragon Group of Companies was wanted after backing up press speculation by confirming that it is thinking about acquiring small private bank Hampshire Trust. The purchase would grant the company banking licence for the first time, allowing it offer savings accounts for its customers. Regeneration specialist St. Modwen Properties was in demand after saying expectations for the full year remain unchanged following strong momentum across the entire group. Mining stocks were mixed this afternoon with platinum group Lonmin and iron ore producer Ferrexpo on the rise, while gold miner Centamin and diamond firm Petra under pressure.FTSE 100 - RisersMelrose Industries (MRO) 219.30p +2.91%British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSY) 772.00p +1.71%Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 905.50p +1.68%Schroders (SDR) 1,621.00p +1.57%International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 171.30p +1.54%RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 119.30p +1.53%ITV (ITV) 100.40p +1.52%Pearson (PSON) 1,195.00p +1.44%Reed Elsevier (REL) 650.50p +1.25%Admiral Group (ADM) 1,131.00p +1.07%FTSE 100 - FallersHargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 736.50p -2.71%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 45.74p -1.62%Evraz (EVR) 230.80p -1.45%Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 336.70p -1.38%Wolseley (WOS) 2,864.00p -1.14%Kingfisher (KGF) 275.30p -0.97%Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 266.20p -0.97%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 292.60p -0.88%Prudential (PRU) 897.50p -0.83%Tesco (TSCO) 322.45p -0.82%FTSE 250 - RisersDaejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,935.00p +2.98%CSR (CSR) 343.20p +2.42%Grainger (GRI) 113.90p +2.15%Informa (INF) 429.30p +2.12%Ophir Energy (OPHR) 508.50p +2.11%Redrow (RDW) 161.90p +2.02%Micro Focus International (MCRO) 584.50p +2.01%Genesis Emerging Markets Fund Ltd. (GSS) 534.50p +2.00%Homeserve (HSV) 244.10p +1.84%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 768.00p +1.79%FTSE 250 - FallersStobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 96.25p -5.27%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 31.00p -4.02%Ocado Group (OCDO) 71.00p -3.92%Bank of Georgia Holdings (BGEO) 1,010.00p -3.81%Domino Printing Sciences (DNO) 576.00p -3.03%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 57.00p -2.90%Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 103.50p -2.73%IP Group (IPO) 109.00p -2.68%Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,212.00p -2.65%Carpetright (CPR) 681.50p -2.64%BC

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