Markets
London - The FTSE 100 dropped 38.34 points to 5,672.32 yesterday. Banks took the most points off the index, with investors unsettled by uncertainty about what a British government might do with its stakes in the two following the impending general election, expected on May 6. Heavyweight HSBC was down 2.1 percent and Barclays off 2.4 percent. Part-nationalised banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group shed 3.4 and 3 percent respectively. This morning the FTSE rises 11.54 points to 5,638.86.

Posted: March 31st, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 gained 7.64 points to 5,710.66 yesterday. Miners were strong, with Rio Tinto, Xstrata, Lonmin, Kazakhmys and BHP Billiton rising between 1.2 and 3.2 percent. Mobile phone giant Vodafone was the top gainer, up 3 percent, supported by a report in the Sunday Telegraph that it is in discussions with U.S. counterpart Verizon Communications over a possible dividend payment from Verizon Wireless, a U.S. mobile phone joint venture between the two companies. This morning the index is 7.25 points higher at 5,717.91.

Posted: March 30th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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The Additional Paternity Leave Regulations have now been approved by the House of Lords. The regulations are due to come into force on 6 April 2010 but will only apply where the child is expected to be born (or matched for adoption) in the week commencing 3 April 2011. If the child is [...]

Posted: March 29th, 2010 under Employment/HR.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 fell 24.63 points to 5,703.02 on Friday. International Power and Scottish & Southern Energy dropped after JPMorgan lowered its recommendations for the utilities. Man Group sank 3.6% after people with knowledge of discussions said the hedge fund manager is scouting for deals in the US. British Airways fell 1% as the airline’s cabin crew strike for a second time in a week. This morning the index is 23.47 points higher at 5,726.49.

Posted: March 29th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 rose 4.25 points to 5,677.88 yesterday after the Chancellor of the Exchequer said Britain’s budget deficit will be smaller than he previously forecast, offsetting the downgrade of Portugal’s credit rating. This morning the blue chip index is 1.45 points higher at 5,679.33.

Posted: March 25th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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