Thomas Cook Profit Warning Drags TUI Travel Lower
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The spread betting companies all offer something different. We are not authorised to provide financial advice, arrangements or investments and for that reason we cannot say which is the best spread betting company.
Below we compare the spreads for markets such as the FTSE 100, GBP/USD, Gold and Oil.
We also compare services such as new account offers, 24 hour trading and automatic stop loss orders.
Each of the firms listed below is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
This list is not meant to be inclusive; spread betting services are also available with companies not listed here.
Spread Betting Companies - Indices Comparison
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| FTSE 100 Daily - Spread Size |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| FTSE 100 Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| FTSE 100 Future - Spread Size |
4 |
4-8 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| FTSE 100 Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Wall St Daily - Spread Size |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2-4 |
2 |
2 |
| Wall St Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| DAX 30 Daily - Spread Size |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| DAX 30 Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| S&P 500 Daily - Spread Size |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
| S&P 500 Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Nasdaq 100 Future - Spread Size |
3 |
4-10 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Nasdaq 100 Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£4 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
Comparison Notes
Spread Betting Companies - Forex Comparison
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| GBP / USD Daily - Spread Size |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0.8 |
2 |
2 |
| GBP / USD Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| GBP / USD Future - Spread Size |
8 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
- |
8 |
8 |
| GBP / USD Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
$0.60 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
| EUR / GBP Daily - Spread Size |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| EUR / GBP Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| EUR / GBP Future - Spread Size |
6 |
8 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
- |
6 |
6 |
| EUR / GBP Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
$0.60 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
| EUR / USD Daily - Spread Size |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0.8 |
1 |
1 |
| EUR / USD Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| EUR / USD Future - Spread Size |
8 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
3 |
8 |
8 |
| EUR / USD Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
$0.60 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| USD / JPY Daily - Spread Size |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0.8 |
1 |
1 |
| USD / JPY Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£0.50 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| USD / JPY Future - Spread Size |
8 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
10 |
- |
8 |
8 |
| USD / JPY Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
¥100 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
Comparison Notes
Spread Betting Companies - Commodities Comparison
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| Gold Daily - Spread Size |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
| Gold Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
$0.60 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Gold Future - Spread Size |
6 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
| Gold Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
$0.60 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Brent Crude Daily - Spread Size |
5† |
6† |
5 |
5† |
4 |
5† |
5† |
5† |
| Brent Crude Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
$2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Brent Crude Future - Spread Size |
5 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Brent Crude Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
$2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| US Crude Oil Daily - Spread Size |
5† |
4 |
5 |
5† |
4 |
5† |
5† |
5† |
| US Crude Oil Daily - Min Stake |
£1 |
$0.70 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| US Crude Oil Future - Spread Size |
5 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| US Crude Oil Future - Min Stake |
£1 |
$2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£0.5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
Comparison Notes
Spread Betting Companies - Account Services Comparison
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| Online Application |
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| Credit Account |
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| Deposit Account |
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| Stop Loss Available |
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| Automatic Stop Loss |
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| 24 Hour Trading |
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| FSA Authorised and Regulated |
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| Candlestick Charts |
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Comparison Notes
Spread Betting - New Account Offers Comparison
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Note: New Accounts and New Account Offers are subject to Status, Terms and Conditions. For details click on the >>
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Spread Betting Companies - Bonds Comparison
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| BOBL - Spread Size |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| BOBL - Min Stake |
£1 |
€0.70 |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Bund - Spread Size |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Bund - Min Stake |
£1 |
€0.70 |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Gilt - Spread Size |
3 |
- |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Gilt - Min Stake |
£1 |
- |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Schatz - Spread Size |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Schatz - Min Stake |
£1 |
€0.70 |
£2 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| US T Bond 10 Yr - Spread Size |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
| US T Bond 10 Yr - Min Stake |
£1 |
$1.10 |
£3 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| US T Bond 30 Yr - Spread Size |
6 |
3 |
- |
6 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
| US T Bond 30 Yr - Min Stake |
£1 |
$1.10 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
Comparison Notes
Spread Betting Companies - Interest Rates Comparison
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| Euribor - Spread Size |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Euribor - Min Stake |
£1 |
€0.50 |
£5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Eurodollar - Spread Size |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Eurodollar - Min Stake |
£1 |
$1.10 |
$5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
| Euroswiss - Spread Size |
2 |
- |
1 |
2 |
3 |
- |
2 |
2 |
| Euroswiss - Min Stake |
£1 |
- |
£5 |
£1 |
£1 |
- |
£1 |
£1 |
| Short Sterling - Spread Size |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Short Sterling - Min Stake |
£1 |
£0.50 |
£5 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
£1 |
Comparison Notes
Spread Betting Companies Comparison Notes
- The typical spread size is quoted. Note that spread sizes tend to vary under a number of circumstances including:
- when betting outside of normal market hours
- when you use guaranteed stop losses
- the first 30-60 minutes of the day
- as you get closer / further away from the settlement date
- The spreads are quoted in tic, pip or point size
- † No Daily Market available - the Futures Spread and Stake have been quoted instead
- ‡ Some markets are only available in the reverse spread eg JPY/USD rather than USD/JPY
- ^ Minimum £10 stake for phone trades
- Where minimum stakes are quoted in the format £1/£10 then this refers to the 'minimum online stakes' / 'minimum phone stakes'
- New Accounts are subject to Status, Suitability and Identity checks
- New Account Offers are subject to Terms and Conditions
- 24 hour trading refers to trading hours of "late on Sunday night to Friday evening". Exact hours are also subject to public holidays and will vary from firm to firm
- Credit Accounts are subject to proof of liquid funds and terms and conditions will vary from firm to firm
- If Credit Accounts are not available, that means only Deposit Accounts are offered
- 'FSA' refers to whether the firm is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority
- Click here for details of the last Spread / Price / Market Information update
- The comparison tables are not meant to be inclusive, spread betting services are also available with other companies
- The above data is subject to change without notice or warning and given without warranty. Please also see our terms and conditions.
Risk Warning: Spread betting carries a high level of risk to your capital. You may lose more than your initial investment. It may not be suitable for all investors. Only speculate with money that you can afford to lose. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent financial advice where necessary.
'Thomas Cook Profit Warning Drags TUI Travel Lower' by AG, updated 12-Jul-11
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DAX Index Spreads Fall as Investors Fear Greece Will Exit the Euro, updated 14-May-12
Spread Betting Comment - Uncertainty is driving markets at present, with the main fear being that Greece will leave the Eurozone. Comments from Angela Merkel this afternoon didn't help the DAX index. The German Chancellor expressed...read article: DAX Index Spreads Fall as Investors Fear Greece Will Exit the Euro.
UK Shares Spread Betting Markets Rise on Greek Government Hopes, updated 10-May-12
Spread Betting Comment - Today has ended up being another volatile session for the FTSE index, although it has stayed broadly within yesterday's range. UK shares were lifted by whispers that Greece is close to some sort of...read article: UK Shares Spread Betting Markets Rise on Greek Government Hopes.
FTSE 100 Futures See Heavy Losses Ahead of Key European Elections, updated 04-May-12
Spread Betting Comment - As the week draws to a close, the FTSE futures are headed for a day of heavy losses, down around 100 points. Markets are digesting a mixed US jobs report and weighing up the European elections scheduled over...read article: FTSE 100 Futures See Heavy Losses Ahead of Key European Elections.
Indices Spread Betting: DAX 30 Tumbles as US ADP Data Drops, updated 02-May-12
Spread Betting Comment - The DAX 30 saw a dramatic afternoon, as the precursor to Friday's Non Farm Payrolls provided a nasty surprise. The indices spread betting markets had been hoped that today's ADP figure, the private sector...read article: Indices Spread Betting: DAX 30 Tumbles as US ADP Data Drops.
FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Slumps as US and UK GDP Disappoints, updated 30-Apr-12
Spread Betting Comment - Weak GDP readings from the UK and the US do not augur well for the FTSE 100 spread betting market in the week ahead. On both sides of the Atlantic, the poorer GDP figures have reignited the calls for more QE. However, with...read article: FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Slumps as US and UK GDP Disappoints.
Indices Rise as Positive European Bond Auctions Calm Investor Fears, updated 24-Apr-12
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, the FTSE 100 is up around 25 points, after a day of quiet recovery for indices around the world. A slew of bond auctions in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands helped to assuage fears. The worries over...read article: Indices Rise as Positive European Bond Auctions Calm Investor Fears.
Upbeat McDonalds Earnings Boost FTSE Financial Spread Betting Market, updated 20-Apr-12
Spread Betting Comment - A quiet morning, with the FTSE financial spread betting market looking rather weak, was turned around thanks to earnings figures from US titans McDonalds and General Electric. The gains are broad-based, with indices, commodities and...read article: Upbeat McDonalds Earnings Boost FTSE Financial Spread Betting Market.
Shares Spread Betting Investors See American Firms Boost Markets, updated 17-Apr-12
Spread Betting Comment - Big-name American firms like Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson have all helped shares spread betting investors focus on the positive. Even Apple has returned to form, gaining 3% after suffering five days of...read article: Shares Spread Betting Investors See American Firms Boost Markets.
FTSE Futures Rise as Spanish and Italian Bond Yields Fall, updated 11-Apr-12
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE futures are ending Wednesday in far better shape than they did on Tuesday, up around 40 points. Spanish and Italian bond yields are lower, although not by too much, and...read article: FTSE Futures Rise as Spanish and Italian Bond Yields Fall.
Financial Spread Betting: FTSE 100 Shares Struggle Ahead of Fed Minutes, updated 03-Apr-12
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, the FTSE 100 is down 10 points as markets await the latest set of Fed minutes. FTSE 100 shares have failed to make much headway this afternoon, and indeed have edged back slightly, as retrenchment becomes...read article: Financial Spread Betting: FTSE 100 Shares Struggle Ahead of Fed Minutes.
Currency Spreads: Australian Dollar - US Dollar Falls on US Data Concerns, updated 29-Mar-12
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Wall Street Index Spread Betting Market Rises on QE3 Hopes, updated 27-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - In the US, the Richmond Fed manufacturing index fell well short of expectations. However, the effect on Wall Street was muted as we are back in the 'bad news is good news' world now that traders are hoping for more QE in...read article: Wall Street Index Spread Betting Market Rises on QE3 Hopes.
FTSE 100 Spreads Fall Despite BT Group Pension Deficit Plan, updated 23-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - BT Group is the standout, climbing 6% after announcing plans to halve its pension deficit by the end of the year. The question mark now is whether markets have further to fall, having still...read article: FTSE 100 Spreads Fall Despite BT Group Pension Deficit Plan.
UK Mining Stocks See Gains on Rising Gold Spread Trading Market, updated 21-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - Some strength in the silver and gold spread trading markets is helping to lift miners of these metals, with Randgold and Fresnillo both up around 3.6%. US housing data provided little in the way of...read article: UK Mining Stocks See Gains on Rising Gold Spread Trading Market.
Technology Financial Spread Betting Markets Rise as Apple Introduces Dividend, updated 19-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - Apple's announcement that it will start paying a dividend caused a flurry of excitement. While all global stock markets remain within their uptrends, it does appear that the technology sector is attracting the...read article: Technology Financial Spread Betting Markets Rise as Apple Introduces Dividend.
Crude Oil Spread Betting Market Falls as US Discusses Use of Reserves, updated 15-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - Perhaps the most exciting part of the afternoon was the $3 drop in the crude oil spread betting market, after the US asked Britain for permission to release some of the oil stocks in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This came as...read article: Crude Oil Spread Betting Market Falls as US Discusses Use of Reserves.
UK Spread Betting: Strong Prudential Earnings Boost Insurance Sector, updated 13-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - In London, strong earnings from the insurance sector helped lift Prudential and Standard Life. Also in UK spread betting, miners are up on the back of good results from Antofagasta, although the Chilean copper miner...read article: UK Spread Betting: Strong Prudential Earnings Boost Insurance Sector.
DAX Spread Betting Market Outperforms on Greek Bond Swap Optimism, updated 08-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE's gains today have been bettered across Europe's major bourses, with the DAX and CAC both rising in excess of 1%, after increasingly optimistic noises over a successful outcome for the Greek bond swap deal. With the...read article: DAX Spread Betting Market Outperforms on Greek Bond Swap Optimism.
Stock Market Indices Struggle on Downgrade to Chinese Growth Targets, updated 05-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE remains on the back foot in afternoon trading, down around 30 points in the first session of what is likely to be a quiet week. Overriding all this was the downgrade of growth expectations by China, and markets have...read article: Stock Market Indices Struggle on Downgrade to Chinese Growth Targets.
Stronger US Jobs Data Buoys FTSE Spread Betting Market, updated 01-Mar-12
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE has pushed steadily higher for most of the day, although a modest pullback from highs looks likely to result in a close around 50 points higher. More decent US jobless figures and improved personal consumption data make up the latter part, while...read article: Stronger US Jobs Data Buoys FTSE Spread Betting Market.
Wall Street Sees Gains Despite Slumping Durable Goods Orders, updated 28-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - US markets started very quietly, but there was a degree of excitement around the release of US figures that painted a rather contradictory picture. Durable goods orders for January fell 4%, a much worse than expected figure, but this conflicted with...read article: Wall Street Sees Gains Despite Slumping Durable Goods Orders.
Middle East Tensions Push Crude Oil Spread Betting Market to Nine-Month High, updated 24-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - The crude oil spread betting market is setting nine-month highs on tensions in the Middle East. This will introduce a fresh set of challenges for all sorts of different businesses if it remains at...read article: Middle East Tensions Push Crude Oil Spread Betting Market to Nine-Month High.
Sterling - Dollar Spread Betting Market Slips on Dovish BoE Minutes, updated 22-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - In the UK, sterling proved to be the dog of the day, dropping back against the dollar to the lows seen last week, after minutes from the Bank of England revealed that policymakers were more dovish than...read article: Sterling - Dollar Spread Betting Market Slips on Dovish BoE Minutes.
Indices Spread Betting Markets Weaken Despite Chinese Monetary Easing, updated 20-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - The morning's excitement, which saw indices advance on hopes of a Greek deal and signs of monetary easing by China, has worn off and we now await any developments from the Eurozone finance ministers' meeting in...read article: Indices Spread Betting Markets Weaken Despite Chinese Monetary Easing.
FTSE Spreads Stage Comeback After Weak US Session and Greek Tensions, updated 16-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close the FTSE has staged quite a turnaround this afternoon, clawing back much of the earlier losses. A disappointing performance for Wall Street last night and heightened tensions surrounding the risk of a Greek default did...read article: FTSE Spreads Stage Comeback After Weak US Session and Greek Tensions.
US Shares Spread Betting: Strong Demand Pushes Apple Stocks Above $500, updated 13-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - With little economic data to drive activity on the US shares spread betting markets, the high point of the afternoon was perhaps the news that Apple shares had finally broken the $500 level, showing that demand for both Apple products and the...read article: US Shares Spread Betting: Strong Demand Pushes Apple Stocks Above $500.
FTSE Spread Betting Market Rises as Greek Politicians Agree Austerity Plans, updated 09-Feb-12
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, the FTSE looks set to finish some 18 points higher, as reports emerged during the afternoon that Greek politicians had managed to hammer out a deal on further austerity measures. However, it's been so long a wait that...read article: FTSE Spread Betting Market Rises as Greek Politicians Agree Austerity Plans.
Essar Energy Shares Rebound After Plummeting on Indian Tax Decision, updated 18-Jan-12
Spread Betting Comment - Today's UK shares leader board is filled with rebound stocks. Essar Energy have regained 8% after being obliterated yesterday by the sales tax decision in India. Hedge fund Man Group, who had a torrid...read article: Essar Energy Shares Rebound After Plummeting on Indian Tax Decision.
FTSE Spreads Rise Despite S&P Downgrades and Struggling Greek Talks, updated 16-Jan-12
Spread Betting Comment - As the first day of the week drifts to a close, the FTSE looks set to finish around 15 points higher, after a rather quiet day. In a sense, this is the calm after the storm; both the S&P downgrade and the failure of Greek debt talks were not exactly...read article: FTSE Spreads Rise Despite S&P Downgrades and Struggling Greek Talks.
UK Shares Spread Betting: Tesco Tumbles 15% on Profit Warning, updated 12-Jan-12
Spread Betting Comment - Disappointing numbers and an effective profit warning from Tesco has resulted in an abundance of navel-gazing as to whether this is the end of the growth story for the nation's omnipresent grocer. A 15% slide in the share price is a rare event and does feel...read article: UK Shares Spread Betting: Tesco Tumbles 15% on Profit Warning.
US Indices Spread Betting Markets Rise on Strong Alcoa Outlook, updated 10-Jan-12
Spread Betting Comment - US markets have joined in the global rally this afternoon, helped on their way by last night's Alcoa update. While the company may have reported a loss overall for the quarter, the upbeat outlook was a definite boon. Financial spread betting markets will...read article: US Indices Spread Betting Markets Rise on Strong Alcoa Outlook.
Wall Street Stocks Struggle Despite Positive US Employment Data, updated 06-Jan-12
Spread Betting Comment - Two days of excellent US unemployment data, something for which we've been fervently hoping, has not been enough to spark any sustained rally on Wall Street. The all-important Non Farm Payrolls figures beat...read article: Wall Street Stocks Struggle Despite Positive US Employment Data.
FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Falls on Concerns Over Chinese Growth, updated 04-Jan-12
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, the FTSE 100 spread betting market looks set to finish around 35 points lower, having surrendered its morning advance. The twin perils of the Eurozone crisis and the possibility of slowing Chinese growth have...read article: FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Falls on Concerns Over Chinese Growth.
Dow Jones and S&P 500 Rally on Positive US Housing Data, updated 20-Dec-11
Spread Betting Comment - US housing figures came in above expectations, showing good growth for this long-dormant market. As a result, the expected strong start for the Dow Jones was given an extra injection of festive spirit, and Wall Street dragged the somewhat miserly...read article: Dow Jones and S&P 500 Rally on Positive US Housing Data.
Equity Spread Trading Markets Slip as Fed Fails to Hint About Further QE, updated 14-Dec-11
Spread Betting Comment - Equity spread trading markets continue to reel over the compound effects of no further hints of QE from the Fed and ongoing worries over the Eurozone debt saga. What had been a relatively gentle unwinding for London seems to have gathered pace on...read article: Equity Spread Trading Markets Slip as Fed Fails to Hint About Further QE.
US Shares Spread Betting: Intel Stocks Stumble on Profit Warning, updated 12-Dec-11
Spread Betting Comment - Optimism has been in short supply among shares spread betting investors today, as the general gloomy atmosphere is reinforced by worrying emerging market news and a profit warning from Intel. Intel, a chip-making titan, has cut its revenue forecast for the...read article: US Shares Spread Betting: Intel Stocks Stumble on Profit Warning.
FTSE Index Trades Lower as Central Bank Decisions Pass as Expected, updated 08-Dec-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close the FTSE looks set to finish around 40 points lower on the day. The two central bank interest-rate decisions passed as expected today with no change for the UK and a 25 basis point drop from the European Central Bank. But it...read article: FTSE Index Trades Lower as Central Bank Decisions Pass as Expected.
Financial Spread Betting: Wall Street Sees Caution as Brazillian Economy Halts, updated 06-Dec-11
Spread Betting Comment - Confusion in financial spread betting markets has been replaced by caution; with no US economic data to chew over, Wall Street has remained within a narrow trading range. One piece of news was that Brazil's economy didn't grow at all between...read article: Financial Spread Betting: Wall Street Sees Caution as Brazillian Economy Halts.
FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Sees Best Weekly Gain in 3 Years, updated 02-Dec-11
Spread Betting Comment - Shares in London have been under some pressure this afternoon but still look set to end the week above 5500, having made gains of around 1% on the day. This week has been the best weekly performance for the FTSE 100 spread betting market in...read article: FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Sees Best Weekly Gain in 3 Years.
UK 100 Stock Market Index Surges Higher on Positive US ADP Jobs Data, updated 30-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - The UK 100 stock market index continues to charge higher despite this morning's shaky start. Early, tentative gains for equities have been overtaken by momentum from the US, after a significantly better-than-expected ADP payroll reading. This was...read article: UK 100 Stock Market Index Surges Higher on Positive US ADP Jobs Data.
Equity Spread Betting Markets Weaken on Poor German Bund Auction, updated 23-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into Wednesday's close, equity spread betting markets remain steeped in gloom. The barrage of bad news shows no sign of relenting as this morning's poorly received German bond auction was the latest reminder that...read article: Equity Spread Betting Markets Weaken on Poor German Bund Auction.
US Stock Markets: Wall Street Weakens on US Political Deadlock, updated 21-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - After a very weak opening this morning, shares in London traded sideways until Wall Street trading started and since then there has been little respite from the selling pressure from US stock markets. It's a combination of political and economic worries...read article: US Stock Markets: Wall Street Weakens on US Political Deadlock.
UK 100 Spreads Slip as Struggling Spanish Bond Auction Boosts Yields, updated 17-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - It has been a volatile session for shares in London, with UK 100 spreads slipping below the 5400 level in the morning but so far holding above the lows for the month. The poor results of the Spanish bond auction are revisiting familiar fears for...read article: UK 100 Spreads Slip as Struggling Spanish Bond Auction Boosts Yields.
Shares Spread Betting Markets Rally on New Greek PM Appointment, updated 11-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, the FTSE seems set to finish around 90 points higher, having risen steadily for most of the day. Shares spread betting markets seem to have put the disruptions earlier in the week firmly behind them as Lucas Papademos has bravely...read article: Shares Spread Betting Markets Rally on New Greek PM Appointment.
UK Spread Trading: Admiral Shares Plummet as Financial Sector Weakens, updated 09-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - At a stock specific level for UK spread trading markets, there have been some notable casualties amongst London's blue-chips today and, although Admiral may already be sailing into the sunset, fellow financials HSBC, RBS and Barclays are...read article: UK Spread Trading: Admiral Shares Plummet as Financial Sector Weakens.
FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Sees Gains as Greek PM Resigns, updated 07-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close the FTSE 100 spread betting market is trading slightly lower on the day after another volatile session. Once again it has been a session dominated by rumours in Europe. After the resignation of the Greek Prime Minister, the spotlight has...read article: FTSE 100 Spread Betting Market Sees Gains as Greek PM Resigns.
Commodities Spread Betting Markets Rise as Greece Retracts Referendum Plans, updated 03-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - It has been another day of confusion in financial markets with the focus firmly on developments regarding Greek debt. Commodities spread betting market sentiment was helped by news that the referendum on the latest bailout has been pulled and...read article: Commodities Spread Betting Markets Rise as Greece Retracts Referendum Plans.
Spread Trading Markets Tumble on Greek Bailout Referendum Decision, updated 01-Nov-11
Spread Betting Comment - The continuing soap opera of the Greek debt crisis has bathed spread trading screens in red today. This must feel like a low blow to Germany and France, whose efforts to reach a solution have been undone by the Greek decision to hold a referendum on the bailout...read article: Spread Trading Markets Tumble on Greek Bailout Referendum Decision.
European Equities Rally as EU Leaders Agree Debt Package, updated 27-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - The Eurozone crisis has seemingly turned a corner and it has been a hallmark day for European equities. Sovereign-debt exposed banks are lapping up the risk on sentiment; French lenders Credit Agricole (+22%), Societe Generale (+19%) and...read article: European Equities Rally as EU Leaders Agree Debt Package.
Spread Betting Markets: EUR/USD Tumbles as EU Finance Ministers Cancel Meeting, updated 25-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - News that a meeting of EU finance ministers would be cancelled ahead of tomorrow's summit sent shivers through world equity spread betting markets a short while after the US open. Knee-jerk reactions were seen in EUR/USD and the Dow Jones lost ...read article: Spread Betting Markets: EUR/USD Tumbles as EU Finance Ministers Cancel Meeting.
Indices Spread Betting: FTSE Struggles Ahead of Further Eurozone Crisis Talks, updated 21-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - Indices spread betting: Heading towards the weekend and the FTSE remains buoyant, as investors await the next instalment in a run of seemingly endless Eurozone crisis talks. With only a handful of companies in the red...read article: Indices Spread Betting: FTSE Struggles Ahead of Further Eurozone Crisis Talks.
US Equities: Apple Misses Earnings Estimates as Consumers Await Upgrade, updated 19-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - A rare event, often referred to as an Apple earnings miss, has put a little dampener on tech stocks across the pond today, helping to keep overall US equity markets weak. Despite solid growth, tech nuts waiting it out for the iPhone 4S knocked sales of the...read article: US Equities: Apple Misses Earnings Estimates as Consumers Await Upgrade.
FTSE Spread Betting Market Weakens on German Comments Ahead of G20 Summit, updated 17-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE spread betting market has performed an about-turn today, leaving it around 1% lower so far. German officials clearly decided that a degree of expectation management was needed ahead of the G20 meeting and...read article: FTSE Spread Betting Market Weakens on German Comments Ahead of G20 Summit.
FTSE 100 Shares: Rolls-Royce Leads Gainers on Joint Venture Speculation, updated 13-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - Rolls-Royce continues to top the FTSE leader board, up 9.74% on joint venture speculation, while bankers Barclays (-6.68%), Lloyds (-6.5%) and RBS (-6.32%) have joined a...read article: FTSE 100 Shares: Rolls-Royce Leads Gainers on Joint Venture Speculation.
US Shares Spread Trading: Alcoa Rises Ahead of Earnings Release, updated 11-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - Aluminium producer, Alcoa added 1.7% in advance of its quarterly results later today. As the first Dow Jones member to release third quarterlies this year, the...read article: US Shares Spread Trading: Alcoa Rises Ahead of Earnings Release.
UK Shares Markets Slide as Moody's Downgrades UK Financials, updated 07-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - The Moody's downgrades on a host of UK financial institutions combined with rumours of RBS needing more money from the UK government saw a number of banks under pressure after...read article: UK Shares Markets Slide as Moody's Downgrades UK Financials.
UK 100 Spread Betting Market Sees Triple Digit Gain on Eurozone Optimism, updated 05-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - Today we have a triple-digit-up day, as the leading UK 100 index gains 3.3%, with a little trading left in the day. Each day we shift between hope and dismay for the Eurozone, with...read article: UK 100 Spread Betting Market Sees Triple Digit Gain on Eurozone Optimism.
Spread Betting Markets Weaken on Dexia Banking Bailout Rumours, updated 03-Oct-11
Spread Betting Comment - Concern that the Franco-Belgian banking group, Dexia was on the verge of requiring yet more government support seemed to lock in the dour mood that has prevailed throughout the session. Any hope that a...read article: Spread Betting Markets Weaken on Dexia Banking Bailout Rumours.
UK Shares Trading: Man Group Tumbles as Investors Pull Out, updated 28-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - In the UK shares trading, there has been a focus on financials, which are much weaker, and led by the big faller Man Group, now down nearly 25%. Barclays (-2%), have the unfortunate honour of...read article: UK Shares Trading: Man Group Tumbles as Investors Pull Out.
FTSE Continues to See Wide Range Trading and High Volatility, updated 26-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - Wide ranging markets are very much the rule and not the exception at the moment, and today was no different. At the open, the FTSE was down around 100 points but staged a sharp recovery off these lows, as markets...read article: FTSE Continues to See Wide Range Trading and High Volatility.
Poor Federal Reserve Outlook Weighs on UK Shares Spread Betting Markets, updated 22-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - UK spread betting: it looks like the bell will sound without a winner among the blue chips, with Antofagasta, Vedanta and Kazakhmys deepest into the red, all posting double digit losses. Autonomy (-0.2%) is so far the only company...read article: Poor Federal Reserve Outlook Weighs on UK Shares Spread Betting Markets.
Speculation of Greece Leaving the Euro Shifts Spread Betting Investor Sentiment, updated 20-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - The rumour mill remains a major driver of trader sentiment. Speculation that Greece will hold a referendum to decide on whether to jump off the 'good ship Euro' was quickly rebuffed, but not before...read article: Speculation of Greece Leaving the Euro Shifts Spread Betting Investor Sentiment.
FTSE 100 Index Reaches Month Highs on EcoFin Debt Talk, updated 16-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE 100 index has briefly flirted with its best levels since the beginning of the month. The European finance meeting in Poland has produced encouraging noises about the debt problem, but reports suggesting that the Greek bailout will be delayed are...read article: FTSE 100 Index Reaches Month Highs on EcoFin Debt Talk.
Equity Spread Betting Markets Struggle as US Economy Stagnates, updated 14-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, and positive sentiment appears to be evaporating from equity spread betting markets. The stagnation in the US economy, combined with what is looking like the increasingly inevitable default in Athens, is really...read article: Equity Spread Betting Markets Struggle as US Economy Stagnates.
UK Banking Shares See Strength on Vickers Banking Report Recommendations, updated 12-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - The main UK event was the release of the Vickers report on banking but there was really little in the way of surprise here. The major UK banks fared better than many of their European counterparts, however, Barclays is still down by...read article: UK Banking Shares See Strength on Vickers Banking Report Recommendations.
S&P 500 Struggles for Direction Ahead of Bernanke and Obama Speeches, updated 08-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - Overall sentiment is lacking impetus today, and we expect this to continue into the night. The S&P 500 is trading cautiously as Ben Bernanke will be speaking in Minneapolis tonight before President Obama's speech on the economy at ...read article: S&P 500 Struggles for Direction Ahead of Bernanke and Obama Speeches.
FTSE 100 Struggles to Hold Gains After SNB Intervention on the EUR/CHF, updated 06-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - Approaching the close and the FTSE 100 is struggling to hold onto gains. It seems to offer some interpretation of the Swiss National Bank's intervention from earlier and any suggestion that this...read article: FTSE 100 Struggles to Hold Gains After SNB Intervention on the EUR/CHF.
Sharp Rise in Profits and Positive Outlook Boosts Hargreaves Lansdown, updated 01-Sep-11
Spread Betting Comment - The financial sector in general was helped by Hargreaves Lansdown adding a significant 14% on the back of a sharp rise in profits and upbeat outlook. Banks have also been in focus today after a...read article: Sharp Rise in Profits and Positive Outlook Boosts Hargreaves Lansdown.
Risk on Strategies Weaken Dividend Yielding Tesco Shares, updated 30-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - Looking at the UK market today we can see loud and clear that risk is on. Supermarkets like Tesco (-0.9%), drug makers like GlaxoSmithKline (-0.5%), and household giants like Reckitt Benckiser (-0.5%) would be staples in many a...read article: Risk on Strategies Weaken Dividend Yielding Tesco Shares.
UK Shares: ARM Holdings Sees Positve Results from Apple Business, updated 23-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - At the top end of UK shares today it is interesting to note the performance of ARM Holdings, up 5%. After an incredible rise in 2010 thanks to their technology being prevalent throughout Apple's market-leading product line they...read article: UK Shares: ARM Holdings Sees Positve Results from Apple Business.
Gold Spread Betting Market Continues to Rise as Equities Tumble, updated 18-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - Everywhere you look as an investor you are being told to add gold to your portfolio. With shares spread betting investors still reeling from the recent performance of equities, the gold spread betting market continues to...read article: Gold Spread Betting Market Continues to Rise as Equities Tumble.
Dax Spread Betting Market Falls on Poor German GDP Data, updated 16-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - Any hopes that today's session would be subdued were dashed at the outset with a far-worse-than-expected German GDP reading for Q2. This hurt the Dax as the European heavyweight only just...read article: Dax Spread Betting Market Falls on Poor German GDP Data.
FTSE 100 Rises 3% as UK Shares See Two Days of Gains, updated 12-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - A strong finish for shares in London has left the FTSE 100 3% higher on the day. For the first time in three weeks, UK shares have managed to string together two winning days on the trot. This has...read article: FTSE 100 Rises 3% as UK Shares See Two Days of Gains.
US Stocks Take Negative Turn After Obama's Speech on the Economy, updated 09-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - US stocks turned violently negative after President Obama spoke to the American people about the economy last night. Tonight, we hope for a better reaction to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's announcement of...read article: US Stocks Take Negative Turn After Obama's Speech on the Economy.
FTSE 100 Tumbles From 6000 to 5250 in Less Than 29 Days, updated 05-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - On 7 July, only 29 days ago, the FTSE 100 was etching just north of the 6000 mark. This week around $2.5 trillion has been wiped off the value of global markets and the FTSE has...read article: FTSE 100 Tumbles From 6000 to 5250 in Less Than 29 Days.
S+P 500 Reaches 2011 Lows as Shares Spread Betting Markets Fall, updated 03-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - The US S+P 500 is on fresh lows for the year, and it really is bounce or bust time for shares spread betting markets at the moment, but it is difficult to see what the...read article: S+P 500 Reaches 2011 Lows as Shares Spread Betting Markets Fall.
FTSE 100 Falls as US Manufacturing Data Erases Strong Dow Open, updated 01-Aug-11
Spread Betting Comment - At its best point today the FTSE was up around 100 points but manufacturing data from the US came in worse than expected, swiftly erasing the Dow Jones' sharply-higher open. There is still...read article: FTSE 100 Falls as US Manufacturing Data Erases Strong Dow Open.
Indices Rise as Wall Street Chief's Ask White House to Avoid Default, updated 28-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - The widespread circulation of an open letter from some of Wall Street's biggest chiefs to the White House asking them to avoid a default at all costs would suggest things are...read article: Indices Rise as Wall Street Chief's Ask White House to Avoid Default.
FTSE 100 Closes Mildly Higher Amid Uncertainty on US Debt, updated 26-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - Uncertainty continues to play on markets, with the FTSE 100 meandering to a positive close. According to data released today, US consumers know something we don't, and have...read article: FTSE 100 Closes Mildly Higher Amid Uncertainty on US Debt.
Weak Caterpillar Results Weigh on US Stock Markets, updated 22-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - When US company Caterpillar's earnings came in slightly lower than expected, seen as something of a bellwether for the American economy, this started the pressure on...read article: Weak Caterpillar Results Weigh on US Stock Markets.
Spread Betting Markets Ease Despite Positive Dow Jones Performance, updated 20-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - Much of the downside has ironically come from the US where existing home sales data missed expectations, although again after the Dow Jones' bumper performance on...read article: Spread Betting Markets Ease Despite Positive Dow Jones Performance.
Lloyds and RBS Weaken Amid Concern Over Capital Raising, updated 18-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - Lloyds and RBS are notable decliners in London, both sitting around 5% lower amidst concerns of new capital having to be raised, whilst the ongoing risk of default in...read article: Lloyds and RBS Weaken Amid Concern Over Capital Raising.
Fresnillo Buoyed by Increasing Production Levels and Rising Silver Prices, updated 14-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - Miner Fresnillo has been the day's top performer on news of the potential to double capacity at one of its Mexico plants just as the price of silver moves...read article: Fresnillo Buoyed by Increasing Production Levels and Rising Silver Prices.
Thomas Cook Profit Warning Drags TUI Travel Lower, updated 12-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - At the end of an exceptionally tough trading day, the FTSE has closed down 1% at 5869. Thomas Cook's (-28%) profit warning sent sector peer TUI Travel (-7.5%) plunging ...read article: Thomas Cook Profit Warning Drags TUI Travel Lower.
Profit Taking Sees UK 100 Trading Back Below Key 6000 Level, updated 08-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - Approaching the weekend break and London's blue-chip index is back below that key 6000 level. After the run of gains we've seen over the last couple of weeks, the profit taking was always looking inevitable, although...read article: Profit Taking Sees UK 100 Trading Back Below Key 6000 Level.
Rising Chinese Rates Weakens Miners and Banking Stocks, updated 06-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - The European debt crisis' hold on the spotlight has been challenged by China today, who have announced an interest rate hike from Thursday. The 25 bps rise has knocked UK mining stocks, but they are still holding up better than RBS (-5%) and...read article: Rising Chinese Rates Weakens Miners and Banking Stocks.
John Wood Group Leads FTSE Gainers on Broker Upgrades, updated 04-Jul-11
Spread Betting Comment - Broker upgrades were some of the main reasons stocks were on the move - oil services business, John Wood Group topped the blue-chip gainers with a rise of more than...read article: John Wood Group Leads FTSE Gainers on Broker Upgrades.
FTSE 100 Reaches Four Days of Gains on Positive Greek News, updated 29-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - The Greek crisis is over, or so the shares indices spread betting markets would have us think. The FTSE 100 takes its winning streak to four days, with today being...read article: FTSE 100 Reaches Four Days of Gains on Positive Greek News.
UK Shares Reach Highs After Volatile Session, updated 27-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, it looks set to be a positive finish for UK shares. London's leading index has experienced choppy performance today, but it goes into the last half hour of trade at its highs for...read article: UK Shares Reach Highs After Volatile Session.
RBS Weakens on Suggestion of Distributing Shares to the Public, updated 23-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - Banks have been some of the bigger losers in London today, although the market does not appear to be taking too seriously the idea of distributing free shares in RBS and Lloyds to the UK public. We shouldn't be too...read article: RBS Weakens on Suggestion of Distributing Shares to the Public.
FTSE Sees Gains Ahead of Greek Confidence Vote, updated 21-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - Traders could have been forgiven for wanting to batten down the hatches with the confidence vote in the Greek government fast approaching, but the FTSE is now sitting around 60 points higher as we...read article: FTSE Sees Gains Ahead of Greek Confidence Vote.
Blue Chips Rise as German Chancellor Eases Back on Greek Demands, updated 17-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - Blue chips in London are set for a rare positive close as hopes of a move forward regarding Greek debt have given a lift to sentiment. With German Chancellor Angela Merkel easing back on some of the initial demands regarding...read article: Blue Chips Rise as German Chancellor Eases Back on Greek Demands.
Banking Sector Falls on Osbourne Plans to Ring-Fence Retail Banks, updated 15-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - The banking sector has been hit by news that Chancellor George Osborne is backing plans to ring-fence retail banking, protecting savers from riskier investment banking units. Whilst all of the 'big five' high street banks are down on the...read article: Banking Sector Falls on Osbourne Plans to Ring-Fence Retail Banks.
ENRC Receives Boost From Speculation of Glencore Takeover, updated 13-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - Press speculation regarding Glencore's conversations with ENRC about the possibility of a takeover, or at least the purchase of a significant stake, hasn't elicited much in the way of...read article: ENRC Receives Boost From Speculation of Glencore Takeover.
UK Energy Firms Rise as US Crude Oil Regains $100 Mark, updated 08-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - The likes of BP and Shell have been been cheered by news that OPEC will hold tight on output and review the situation again in three months time. The benchmark US crude oil price is back above $100/barrel, but no doubt...read article: UK Energy Firms Rise as US Crude Oil Regains $100 Mark.
Lloyds Banking Group Shares Drag on the FTSE 100 Index, updated 06-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - The biggest movers of the day were to the downside. Lloyds Banking Group proved the weakest blue chip, falling back to its worst levels since February last...read article: Lloyds Banking Group Shares Drag on the FTSE 100 Index.
Positive Kingfisher News Sees Profit Taking for UK Retail Shares, updated 02-Jun-11
Spread Betting Comment - Some good news in the under-fire retail sector was met with profit taking earlier. B&Q owner Kingfisher was lower despite seeing a boost from the spring weather, and internet...read article: Positive Kingfisher News Sees Profit Taking for UK Retail Shares.
FTSE 100 Trades Flat on Year as Greek Uncertainty Continues, updated 31-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - With the FTSE 100 trading back roughly where it started this year, it may be expecting too much for significant further gains from here until the details of the Greek package are...read article: FTSE 100 Trades Flat on Year as Greek Uncertainty Continues.
Weir Group Rises to All Time Highs on Bank Upgrade, updated 26-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Weir Group was the top performer, getting some momentum from an investment bank upgrade which propelled the share price out to fresh all-time highs once...read article: Weir Group Rises to All Time Highs on Bank Upgrade.
US Shares Rise After Positive Goldmans Note on Crude Oil and Copper, updated 24-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - US shares are digging their heels in around the flat line after opening to the upside. Goldman Sachs generated a few headlines by calling the bottom on oil and copper, and...read article: US Shares Rise After Positive Goldmans Note on Crude Oil and Copper.
UK Shares See Weakness on Fears Over German Economy, updated 20-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close UK shares are firmly on the back foot as the market reels from a combination of negative news. The usual market paranoia about the fragility of the economic recovery was triggered by...read article: UK Shares See Weakness on Fears Over German Economy.
Land Securities Buoys FTSE 100 on Strong Results, updated 18-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Building on last night's recovery on Wall Street, the FTSE 100 has been buoyed by Land Securities. The property giant has been propelled to the top of the...read article: Land Securities Buoys FTSE 100 on Strong Results.
UK 100 Spread Betting Market Falls to 1 Month Lows, updated 16-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close and the UK 100 has spent all of the day in the red, leaving the index languishing near its lowest levels for the month. With the Dow Jones also back to levels not seen...read article: UK 100 Spread Betting Market Falls to 1 Month Lows.
Commodities Spread Betting Markets See Increased Volatility, updated 12-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Copper, silver, gold and oil are stealing the limelight away from the European debt crisis at every available opportunity. Commodities investors are being forced into making snap...read article: Commodities Spread Betting Markets See Increased Volatility.
FTSE Rises Despite BG Group Falling on Increased Tax Liabilities, updated 10-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Gains have been spread across the board today, with losses in the FTSE 100 limited to a handful of stocks. BG Group remains under the greatest pressure, with increased tax liabilities over...read article: FTSE Rises Despite BG Group Falling on Increased Tax Liabilities.
US Markets Falter on Economic Recovery Concerns, updated 05-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - US Markets are fairing poorly today, with economic recovery concerns again at the fore. A jump in initial jobless claims to an eight-month high does not bode well for...read article: US Markets Falter on Economic Recovery Concerns.
Easing Commodities Weigh on UK Mining Stocks, updated 03-May-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the last hour of trading, it has been something of an uninspiring day for shares in London. Weakness amongst the big mining stocks due to easing commodity prices was...read article: Easing Commodities Weigh on UK Mining Stocks.
UK Shares Rise After Q1 GDP Comes in as Expected, updated 27-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - Taking this morning's GDP figures well after a hesitant start, the UK's leading index has wound down for the afternoon. Power supplier Aggreko leads the way after saying that a strong...read article: UK Shares Rise After Q1 GDP Comes in as Expected.
Increased Volatility Expected Over the Easter Holiday Period, updated 20-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - Many traders in London will now be starting to clear their desks with the intention of being away until May, so the potential for some choppy trading cannot be understated over the next 10 days or...read article: Increased Volatility Expected Over the Easter Holiday Period.
Markets Fall as S&P Put US on Negative Credit Watch, updated 18-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - Expectations of a quiet week ahead were dashed this afternoon as the ratings agency Standard & Poor's said there was a 'material risk' that the US would not deal with its deficit and put a negative...read article: Markets Fall as S&P Put US on Negative Credit Watch.
FTSE 100 Rallies as BP Continues to Rebuild Its Image, updated 14-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE 100 is rallying into the close, having languished around 5950 for most of the afternoon. BP continues to try to rebuild its image in the wake of last year's Gulf of Mexico oil spill...read article: FTSE 100 Rallies as BP Continues to Rebuild Its Image.
Poor Alcoa Results Weigh on Dow Jones Index, updated 12-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - The below-expectation results from Alcoa last night really set the tone for Wall Street at the open. With the Dow Jones now nursing a triple-digit loss, there's little reason to believe Europe can find the strength to rally...read article: Poor Alcoa Results Weigh on Dow Jones Index.
Spread Betting Markets Weaken After Japanese Aftershock, updated 07-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - As we near the close, we are just digesting the breaking news of another earthquake in Japan and have seen a quick sell-off in world markets. A tsunami warning has been issued and...read article: Spread Betting Markets Weaken After Japanese Aftershock.
FTSE 100 Contituents Trade Within Tight Ranges, updated 05-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - TUI Travel stayed on top of the gainers for most the day on takeover speculation, but the vast majority of FTSE 100 constituents were constrained within ranges of a couple of percent...read article: FTSE 100 Contituents Trade Within Tight Ranges.
US Payrolls Data Boost Spread Betting Markets, updated 01-Apr-11
Spread Betting Comment - Approaching the close and the London index is eyeing a bumper finish to the week. After yesterday's uncertainty in the banking sector there was always scope to recover some lost ground. However, solid payroll readings in the US...read article: US Payrolls Data Boost Spread Betting Markets.
Comments From Morgan Stanley Boost Vedanta Resources, updated 30-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - In the UK miner Vedanta Resources has topped the FTSE 100 for much of the day, outpacing peers with a +4.29% rise, as of 3.30pm London time, following comments from Morgan Stanley...read article: Comments From Morgan Stanley Boost Vedanta Resources.
Burberry Finds Support After Recent Falls on Japanese Earthquake, updated 28-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - Luxury goods business, Burberry has managed to claw its way back towards the top of blue-chip gainers, finding favour amongst investors again after it had suffered heavy falls after the Japan earthquake...read article: Burberry Finds Support After Recent Falls on Japanese Earthquake.
UK Retailers Rise Despite Weaker Sales Data, updated 24-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - In the UK's leading index retailers seem unaffected by this morning's disappointing retail-sales data, with Next and Marks and Spencer both up 4% at 16.30 (London time). Joining them is BG Group...read article: UK Retailers Rise Despite Weaker Sales Data.
Sterling Pushes Higher on Forex Spread Betting Markets, updated 22-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - Inflation data has been the major economic news for the UK. The main reaction was felt in the foreign exchange spread betting market, with the Pound pushing out to...read article: Sterling Pushes Higher on Forex Spread Betting Markets.
Libyan Ceasefire Buoys US Shares and Weakens Oil, updated 18-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - US shares markets have seen their strongest two-day rise since December, while Brent crude fell more $3 in a matter of minutes, before pulling things back to remain unchanged. News of a ceasefire is...read article: Libyan Ceasefire Buoys US Shares and Weakens Oil.
3i Group Props Up FTSE After Weak UK Employment Data, updated 16-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE 100 continued its descent lower this afternoon, as continued global uncertainty and poor UK employment figures weighed on market sentiment. Helping keep the index afloat was private equity firm 3i Group...read article: 3i Group Props Up FTSE After Weak UK Employment Data.
Nikkei 225 Trades Lower After Earthquake and Tsunami, updated 14-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - After a 6% fall for Nikkei shares during normal trading hours in Tokyo, shares in London opened mainly flat to start with. Burberry has been the major loser on the day due to a large exposure to...read article: Nikkei 225 Trades Lower After Earthquake and Tsunami.
FTSE Falls as US Markets Open Heavily Lower, updated 10-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - Late afternoon, and a wave of panic selling has swept over equity markets as the US opens heavily down. 29 of the 30 Dow Jones stocks are down and it is a similar ratio for the S&P 500, which has now...read article: FTSE Falls as US Markets Open Heavily Lower.
Mining Stocks Weigh on UK Spread Betting Markets, updated 08-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - It is the miners who are the biggest fallers, as falling metal prices hit the share prices of Randgold (-7.52%), African Barrick Gold (-4.14%), Antofagasta (-3.73%) and...read article: Mining Stocks Weigh on UK Spread Betting Markets.
FTSE 100 Drops as Investors Reduce Risk Exposure, updated 04-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - At the close, the FTSE 100 dropped as investors decided to take their risk off the table over the weekend. The FTSE 100 is still up almost 10% since early December and...read article: FTSE 100 Drops as Investors Reduce Risk Exposure.
Standard Chartered Reports Seventh Successive Year of Profit, updated 02-Mar-11
Spread Betting Comment - Standard Chartered is one of the standout performers this afternoon, up 67p (+4.14%) after reporting a seventh successive year of profit this morning. Banking peers...read article: Standard Chartered Reports Seventh Successive Year of Profit.
HSBC Falls After Missing Expectations Despite Doubling Profits, updated 28-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - HSBC was one of the bigger losers today, with a more than doubling full-year profits not enough to change investors' views towards the banking sector as a whole. Like others in the sector, HSBC has seen...read article: HSBC Falls After Missing Expectations Despite Doubling Profits.
Upbeat Start to Wall Street Trading Boosts European Indices, updated 24-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - An upbeat tone at the start of trade on Wall Street is undoubtedly helping to lift many European stocks, despite the lacklustre durable goods orders and home sales readings...read article: Upbeat Start to Wall Street Trading Boosts European Indices.
Investors Remain Concerned About Oil Spreads Despite Pull Back, updated 22-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - Investors are likely to be keeping a wary eye on oil in the coming days. Although the price has dropped back today, the concern is that the market will continue to put a risk-premium on...read article: Investors Remain Concerned About Oil Spreads Despite Pull Back.
FTSE 100 Set to Close Lower on Investor's Middle East Concerns, updated 18-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close the FTSE looks set to finish down for the day, but off its earlier lows. In the earlier part of the day it looked as if investors were using the ongoing unrest in the Middle East as...read article: FTSE 100 Set to Close Lower on Investor's Middle East Concerns.
UK Shares Take Rising Unemployment Well as Banking Shares Rise, updated 16-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - London's blue chip index took news of unemployment rising to 7.9% in its stride today, with strong showings from bankers, led by HSBC and RBS, helping to...read article: UK Shares Take Rising Unemployment Well as Banking Shares Rise.
Oil Spreads Slide Back as Egyptian Mubarak Resigns, updated 14-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - Markets have cheered Mubarak's handing of power to the army in Egypt. Consensus seems to be that this will lead to a smooth transition of power and it's worth noting the slide in crude oil prices that have been seen...read article: Oil Spreads Slide Back as Egyptian Mubarak Resigns.
Rio Tinto Weakens Despite More than Doubling Profits, updated 10-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - Rio Tinto more than doubled profits over the last year but the mining company has been one of the biggest FTSE losers on the day. There is an element of 'buy the rumour; sell the fact' going on...read article: Rio Tinto Weakens Despite More than Doubling Profits.
GKN Share Prices Continues Last Years Gains, updated 08-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - Engineering firm GKN has been the best FTSE performer on the day, up by around 5%, on no obvious news. After a strong performance in the second half of 2010, which saw its share price double...read article: GKN Share Prices Continues Last Years Gains.
Broker Upgrades Boost UK Utilities Shares, updated 04-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - The biggest gainers on the day have been in utilities, with Severn Trent and United Utilities both rising around 3%. It has been a tough year for these two with their share prices steadily losing...read article: Broker Upgrades Boost UK Utilities Shares.
Egyptian Demonstrations Push Commodity Prices Higher, updated 02-Feb-11
Spread Betting Comment - Initial gains this morning looked in danger of evaporating as violent clashes erupted in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, threatening to destabilise the whole region. However, the rising commodity spread betting markets...read article: Egyptian Demonstrations Push Commodity Prices Higher.
Exxon Mobil Sees Q4 Profits Rise by More than Expected, updated 31-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - ExxonMobil, the world's largest company by market capitalisation has beaten Wall Street expectations and posted a 53% increase in profits for Q4...read article: Exxon Mobil Sees Q4 Profits Rise by More than Expected.
Aviva Momentum Buoys UK Insurance Sector, updated 27-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - Insurance business Aviva is the best performer, up 4% on the day, pushing out to its best levels in more than a year. In fact this momentum has overflowed to...read article: Aviva Momentum Buoys UK Insurance Sector.
Dow Jones Eyes 12000 Level for First Time Since 2008, updated 25-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - The Dow had been eyeing a test on 12,000 for the first time since 2008 but weak leads from Europe, and downbeat earnings news from some benchmark US stocks...read article: Dow Jones Eyes 12000 Level for First Time Since 2008.
RBS Boosts UK Shares After Discussing Leaving Asset Protection Plan, updated 21-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - After mid-week disappointment, equity markets are looking decidedly brighter approaching the close. The rally has been helped along by some solid corporate news with RBS' move to negotiate its...read article: RBS Boosts UK Shares After Discussing Leaving Asset Protection Plan.
Poor US Banking Results Weigh on Wall Street, updated 19-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - Wall Street endured a negative start to the day, as equities came under pressure following the weak Goldman Sachs earnings report. Coming after Citigroup's less than...read article: Poor US Banking Results Weigh on Wall Street.
Bid Speculation Lightens Pressure on FTSE Shares, updated 17-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, blue chips in London have remained under pressure. This has been only slightly offset by bid speculation around Smiths Group and...read article: Bid Speculation Lightens Pressure on FTSE Shares.
Tesco Leads FTSE Losers After Disappointing Results, updated 13-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - After some better-than-expected results from high street favourites this week, the latest numbers from Tesco have proved disappointing; its shares are the biggest FTSE loser...read article: Tesco Leads FTSE Losers After Disappointing Results.
Marks and Spencer Reveal Positive Sales But Remain Cautious, updated 11-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - The latest retailer to report today was Marks and Spencer showing a rise in like-for-like sales in the previous quarter, but accompanied by a cautious...read article: Marks and Spencer Reveal Positive Sales But Remain Cautious.
GKN Continues to Extend Share Price Recovery, updated 07-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - Top of the tree is engineering company GKN, extending the recovery that started in July last year and has seen the share price more than double...read article: GKN Continues to Extend Share Price Recovery.
Weak European Data Weighs on FTSE Miners, updated 05-Jan-11
Spread Betting Comment - Miners dragged the FTSE lower as they bore the brunt of investor profit-taking following disappointing data in Europe, with sector heavyweights...read article: Weak European Data Weighs on FTSE Miners.
Sterling Spread Betting Markets See Volatility, updated 23-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Compared with the stagnant equity markets, Sterling has been on a little more of a rollercoaster ride today. A sharp half-cent downward move this morning has been followed by...read article: Sterling Spread Betting Markets See Volatility.
FTSE Index Rallies Again as Santa Rally Takes Hold, updated 21-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, it is another strong day for the London stock market with the FTSE up around 1 per cent. The Santa Rally is beginning to...read article: FTSE Index Rallies Again as Santa Rally Takes Hold.
Blue Chip Shares Including Lloyds See High Volumes, updated 17-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - It has been another day of tight ranges for most UK blue chips but volumes have actually been the busiest for a couple of weeks with the likes of Lloyds seeing...read article: Blue Chip Shares Including Lloyds See High Volumes.
BP Rallies as it Sells Oilfields, updated 14-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Oil giant BP was the strongest gainer on news that the company has sold off some oil fields in Pakistan. This has pushed the share price to...read article: BP Rallies as it Sells Oilfields.
Little Economic Activity Sees FTSE Flat, updated 10-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, the FTSE is little changed on the day. With hardly any economic news to trigger activity in either direction, it looks like...read article: Little Economic Activity Sees FTSE Flat.
Fesnillo and Randgold Both Down Due To Dollar Strength, updated 08-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Fesnillo and Randgold are both down due to dollar strength, with little else in the way of explicit support, the FTSE is struggling to make an impression. Likewise, that...read article: Fesnillo and Randgold Both Down Due To Dollar Strength.
FTSE Shakes of Early Weakness to Rally, updated 06-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the final part of the trading day, the FTSE 100 index has managed to shake off earlier weakness to trade near session highs. Strength in...read article: FTSE Shakes of Early Weakness to Rally.
Positive Prudential Results Boost Financial Sector, updated 01-Dec-10
Spread Betting Comment - Financial services giant Prudential (+5.81%) brought a welcome sign of potential recovery to the financial sector, with better-than-expected Q3 results and...read article: Positive Prudential Results Boost Financial Sector.
UK Banking Shares Make Positive Start to Trading Week, updated 29-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - The opening charge was led by strength in the banking sector and whilst the likes of HSBC and RBS still top the gainers table at the end of...read article: UK Banking Shares Make Positive Start to Trading Week.
EFSF Chief States There is No Chance of Euro Break Up, updated 25-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - The chief of the European Financial Stability Facility has stated ''there is zero danger'' of a break up of the single currency because of the current crisis. The Euro has not seen...read article: EFSF Chief States There is No Chance of Euro Break Up.
Market Uncertainty Boost Gold Spread Betting Market, updated 23-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - The market uncertainty is boosting gold prices which have rallied close to $20 in recent hours, in turn lending some support with gold...read article: Market Uncertainty Boost Gold Spread Betting Market.
FTSE 100 Closes Week Lower Despite Relief Rally, updated 19-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close the FTSE is off earlier lows but still set to end the day and this week negative. After Thursday's relief rally on signs that...read article: FTSE 100 Closes Week Lower Despite Relief Rally.
Experian Makes Gains on 'Electrifying' Results, updated 17-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - Experian is the biggest gainer on the day after beating earning expectations. According to their chief executive this was thanks mainly to an 'electrifying' performance in...read article: Experian Makes Gains on 'Electrifying' Results.
Invensys Leads FTSE 100 Despite Denying Takeover Rumours, updated 15-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - Invensys still tops the leader board despite the company denying weekend press speculation that it was a potential takeover target by...read article: Invensys Leads FTSE 100 Despite Denying Takeover Rumours.
Bleak Cisco Outlook Leads to 15% Share Drop, updated 11-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - The damage in US markets has been caused by a sell-off in tech stocks, after network router maker Cisco painted a bleak picture for...read article: Bleak Cisco Outlook Leads to 15% Share Drop.
Fresh All Time Highs For Gold Boosts UK Shares, updated 09-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - Commodities and financials have been the big drivers: fresh all-time highs on gold and two-year-plus highs on copper have given...read article: Fresh All Time Highs For Gold Boosts UK Shares.
Spread Betting Markets Look to Maintain Positive Close, updated 05-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - It may be looking like an ebullient end to the week, but the question to be asked is whether this can be sustained until Wall Street closes...read article: Spread Betting Markets Look to Maintain Positive Close.
Admiral Shares Lead the FTSE 100 Leader Board, updated 03-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - Despite the cautiousness, London's blue chip index still had space for some winners and losers. Car insurer Admiral is currently in pole position, up 3.2% after...read article: Admiral Shares Lead the FTSE 100 Leader Board.
Lloyds Expected to Announce Return to Profitability, updated 01-Nov-10
Spread Betting Comment - Tomorrow's earnings news from Lloyds Banking Group will be closely followed by many after reports that a return to profitability will be seen. With the UK Government looking to...read article: Lloyds Expected to Announce Return to Profitability.
US Dollar Continues to Weaken Ahead of US GDP Figures, updated 28-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - Today has seen another fall in the Dollar against all major currencies. So the Fed's headache becomes a more sustained migraine every day and, as the markets seek clarity...read article: US Dollar Continues to Weaken Ahead of US GDP Figures.
Positive UK GDP Results Pressures FTSE, updated 26-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - For the UK spread betting markets the main news event today was of course the latest GDP figure. This showed the economy grew by 0.8% in the...read article: Positive UK GDP Results Pressures FTSE.
TUI Travel Falls After Finding Another Hole in the Finances, updated 22-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - The biggest gainer on the FTSE has been TUI Travel which was of course knocked back heavily on Thursday after disclosing an additional hole in its balance...read article: TUI Travel Falls After Finding Another Hole in the Finances.
BAE Systems Weakens on UK Budget Cuts, updated 20-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - BAE Systems, the defence and security major, was one of the few directly influenced by the austerity measures, taking a battering to the tune of...read article: BAE Systems Weakens on UK Budget Cuts.
Wall Street Creeps Higher Ahead of Earnings Releases, updated 18-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - Wall Street is edging higher in early trade too although with a crush of earnings due for release in the coming days, there's going to be no shortage of potential for swings in...read article: Wall Street Creeps Higher Ahead of Earnings Releases.
Banking Shares Fall on Basel III Speculation, updated 14-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - The FTSE 100 looks like it will finish at around the 5720 mark following speculation over the ability of banks to cover the new Basel III funding requirements. So far the hardest hit are RBS...read article: Banking Shares Fall on Basel III Speculation.
FTSE Shares Weaken as China Tries to Reign in Growth, updated 12-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close the FTSE is little changed on the day. Blue chips came under pressure first thing following signs of China once again trying to keep growth under control by...read article: FTSE Shares Weaken as China Tries to Reign in Growth.
Dow Jones Presses on 11,000 Resistance, updated 08-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - With the Dow probing the 11,000 mark as London closes, it does suggest that sentiment towards shares is still strong and markets are reasonably placed to...read article: Dow Jones Presses on 11,000 Resistance.
Miners Rise on Positive Metal Price Performance, updated 06-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - Miners were generally happy at the news that copper, lead, nickel and tin were all up on the London Metal Exchange, with Anglo American performing the...read article: Miners Rise on Positive Metal Price Performance.
UK Shares Trade Slightly Lower on Risk Aversion, updated 04-Oct-10
Spread Betting Comment - Heading into the close, UK shares have remained slightly negative for much of the day. There was some bargain hunting among some of the traditional blue chip dividend payers but...read article: UK Shares Trade Slightly Lower on Risk Aversion.
Indices Spread Betting Markets See Positive End to September, updated 30-Sep-10
Spread Betting Comment - Aside from the potential for a late month-end sell-off on Wall Street, there are other pointers due tomorrow including the US PCE deflator, UK manufacturing PMI and...read article: Indices Spread Betting Markets See Positive End to September.
Spread Betting UK 27-28 September 2010, updated 28-Sep-10
After starting off under some pressure, shares in London rallied as the day went on and there were no shocks from the latest UK GDP revision, staying unchanged from...read article: Spread Betting UK 27-28 September 2010.
Spread Trading UK 23-24 September 2010, updated 24-Sep-10
It appears that the FTSE 100 index is gearing up for its fifth positive week on the trot as investors have flocked back in this afternoon following strong capital goods data...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-24 September 2010.
Spread Betting UK 21-22 September 2010, updated 22-Sep-10
Yesterday's Fed announcement caused the Dollar to fall and gold to soar and, unsurprisingly, miners have been the main beneficiaries in the UK equity market...read article: Spread Betting UK 21-22 September 2010.
Spread Trading UK 17-20 September 2010, updated 20-Sep-10
Shares in London have been strong from the start and are powering out to their best levels for the day as the market wraps things up. It has been a well supported rally from...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-20 September 2010.
Spread Betting UK 15-16 September 2010, updated 16-Sep-10
Heading into the close it has been another uninspiring day of trading in London. After starting the month off with some impressive gains, investors in London appear to...read article: Spread Betting UK 15-16 September 2010.
Spread Trading UK 13-14 September 2010, updated 14-Sep-10
The last three weeks have seen a rise of nearly 500 points for the FTSE 100 and it looks as if some are happy to just bank profits up here at four month highs...read article: Spread Trading UK 13-14 September 2010.
Spread Betting UK 9-10 September 2010, updated 10-Sep-10
The FTSE 100 seems to still be in something of a world of its own at the moment. With most of the other major European and US indices still trapped within...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-10 September 2010.
Spread Trading UK 7-8 September 2010, updated 08-Sep-10
ARM Holdings is the day's biggest gainer, however, up around 5% at 3.30pm in London. The increase follows word that the company has won an order with...read article: Spread Trading UK 7-8 September 2010.
Spread Betting UK 3-6 September 2010, updated 06-Sep-10
Takeover speculation provided some early excitement for Cable and Wireless as traders reacted to weekend stories, but even this faded as the day went on. After British Airways CEO stated he was...read article: Spread Betting UK 3-6 September 2010.
Spread Trading UK 1-2 September 2010, updated 02-Sep-10
Approaching the close, the London index is nudging its way higher. It's been a far from convincing session for the London index today with traders unwilling to commit...read article: Spread Trading UK 1-2 September 2010.
Spread Betting UK 27-31 August 2010, updated 31-Aug-10
The FTSE's heavy-weight mining sector was the key beneficiary of increased risk appetite, turning around a weak start this morning to add...read article: Spread Betting UK 27-31 August 2010.
Spread Trading UK 25-26 August 2010, updated 26-Aug-10
As we approach the close, the FTSE is eyeing a positive finish for the first time since Monday. After the notable move amidst the mounting pessimism over the economy earlier...read article: Spread Trading UK 25-26 August 2010.
Spread Betting UK 23-24 August 2010, updated 24-Aug-10
The DOW has tested levels below 10,000 for the first time since early July and the big winner is clearly government bonds. UK yields are being...read article: Spread Betting UK 23-24 August 2010.
Spread Trading UK 19-20 August 2010, updated 20-Aug-10
BG group remained at the top of the table on the back of speculation that it is attracting interest from potential buyers such as Royal Dutch Shell and...read article: Spread Trading UK 19-20 August 2010.
Spread Betting UK 17-18 August 2010, updated 18-Aug-10
BHP Billiton was among the worst performing stocks today, losing 3.4% to 1850p after its bid for the Canadian fertiliser maker Potash moved into hostile...read article: Spread Betting UK 17-18 August 2010.
Spread Trading UK 13-16 August 2010, updated 16-Aug-10
Heading towards the close, UK equities are finding some support after an opening rally on Wall Street. It had been another relatively quiet session for...read article: Spread Trading UK 13-16 August 2010.
Spread Betting UK 11-12 August 2010, updated 12-Aug-10
Vedanta's share price was the biggest blue chip loser, on reports of possible plans of taking a major stake in Cairn Energy. Although the...read article: Spread Betting UK 11-12 August 2010.
Spread Trading UK 9-10 August 2010, updated 10-Aug-10
The FTSE 100 is still more than 10% above its July lows so it might be expecting too much to see additional sharp gains from current levels...read article: Spread Trading UK 9-10 August 2010.
Spread Betting UK 5-6 August 2010, updated 06-Aug-10
Better than expected results from the last of the major banks to report this week, RBS, helped keep stock market sentiment broadly...read article: Spread Betting UK 5-6 August 2010.
Spread Trading UK 3-4 August 2010, updated 04-Aug-10
Next is at the foot of the leader board, plunging 8.32% after Britain's second largest clothing retailer warned that consumer spending might cool...read article: Spread Trading UK 3-4 August 2010.
Spread Betting UK 28-29 July 2010, updated 29-Jul-10
Good numbers from AstraZeneca and BT Group helped to provide a holy of enthusiasm first thing and pushed both of these companies near to the top of the...read article: Spread Betting UK 28-29 July 2010.
Spread Trading UK 26-27 July 2010, updated 27-Jul-10
The FTSE has pushed out to its best levels in more than two months today, with a chunk of momentum coming from the banking sector. Barclays, Lloyds and...read article: Spread Trading UK 26-27 July 2010.
Spread Betting UK 22-23 July 2010, updated 23-Jul-10
After a strong week that has seen the FTSE up around 3% it is maybe not too surprising that markets have paused for breath...read article: Spread Betting UK 22-23 July 2010.
Spread Trading UK 20-21 July 2010, updated 21-Jul-10
Apple also announced better-than-expected results yesterday, so today all eyes will be on fellow cool Californian techie Google when it...read article: Spread Trading UK 20-21 July 2010.
Spread Betting UK 16-19 July 2010, updated 19-Jul-10
Oil company BP has come under pressure again this afternoon following the weekend news that there could be some seepage from the latest attempt to cap the...read article: Spread Betting UK 16-19 July 2010.
Spread Trading UK 14-15 July 2010, updated 15-Jul-10
Not even better-than-expected profits from JP Morgan managed to lift sentiment today, as investors went back to focussing on the bigger economic...read article: Spread Trading UK 14-15 July 2010.
Spread Betting UK 12-13 July 2010, updated 13-Jul-10
Suggestions that the UK could still find its AAA credit rating in jeopardy are attracting little in the way of concern as Cable has even resumed its march...read article: Spread Betting UK 12-13 July 2010.
Spread Trading UK 7-8 July 2010, updated 08-Jul-10
Financials have enjoyed a good day with the likes of Lloyds Banking Group and Prudential notching up gains of around 4%. Many investors are speculating that there will be no...read article: Spread Trading UK 7-8 July 2010.
Spread Betting UK 5-6 July 2010, updated 06-Jul-10
It is mining stocks that have led the charge higher with the likes of Xstrata and Rio Tinto up by 5% and more. Investors have taken the view that the...read article: Spread Betting UK 5-6 July 2010.
Spread Trading UK 1-2 July 2010, updated 02-Jul-10
Shares in London have had something of a quiet finish to the week as US unemployment numbers came in broadly as expected. The American economy lost...read article: Spread Trading UK 1-2 July 2010.
Spread Betting UK 29-30 June 2010, updated 30-Jun-10
Defensive stocks continue to lead the way, with the UK's second largest pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca at the forefront after a US court ruling...read article: Spread Betting UK 29-30 June 2010.
Spread Trading UK 25-28 June 2010, updated 28-Jun-10
Lonmin and Antofagasta are among the top five, while oil and gas company Essar Energy has benefited from a JPMorgan ratings upgrade to gain...read article: Spread Trading UK 25-28 June 2010.
Spread Betting UK 23-24 June 2010, updated 24-Jun-10
The UK's leading index closed down 1.5% after a being hit by a big slide for blue-chips. As long as the 5000 area continues to hold there is not too much reason to...read article: Spread Betting UK 23-24 June 2010.
Spread Trading UK 21-22 June 2010, updated 22-Jun-10
It's been a relatively choppy session for the FTSE 100, but the market's overall reaction to the emergency budget can best be judged as positive. Sterling responded well to the news that...read article: Spread Trading UK 21-22 June 2010.
Spread Betting UK 17-18 June 2010, updated 18-Jun-10
It has been a fairly volatile session today but the UK index looks set to end the week around 1.5% higher than last...read article: Spread Betting UK 17-18 June 2010.
Spread Trading UK 15-16 June 2010, updated 16-Jun-10
Shire was among the biggest winners on the day, after the pharmaceutical giant benefited from a ratings upgrade from Deutsche Bank, gaining...read article: Spread Trading UK 15-16 June 2010.
Spread Betting UK 11-14 June 2010, updated 14-Jun-10
Heading into the close the FTSE is set to finish up on the day but weakness from BP is dragging on momentum. It has been a solid start to the week for most...read article: Spread Betting UK 11-14 June 2010.
Spread Trading UK 9-10 June 2010, updated 10-Jun-10
Fortunately BP are now appearing to be slightly more in control of its catastrophic oil spill and there has been recent a lack of daily doom and...read article: Spread Trading UK 9-10 June 2010.
Spread Betting UK 7-8 June 2010, updated 08-Jun-10
Gold reached fresh all-time highs today and, although no market is without risk, it does demonstrate that investors are still more comfortable...read article: Spread Betting UK 7-8 June 2010.
Spread Trading UK 3-4 June 2010, updated 04-Jun-10
After making steady gains in the morning, the rug has been pulled out from under this afternoon when May's US payroll numbers fell short of...read article: Spread Trading UK 3-4 June 2010.
Spread Betting UK 1-2 June 2010, updated 02-Jun-10
Battered and bruised BP took another blow to the body today following the announcement of a criminal investigation into its operations surrounding the Mexican Gulf oil spill. As well as the...read article: Spread Betting UK 1-2 June 2010.
Spread Trading UK 27-28 May 2010, updated 28-May-10
It has been a good day for some of the traditionally defensive stocks such as Severn Trent and United Utilities, which is a fair reflection of sentiment at the moment. Despite a sharp bounce back...read article: Spread Trading UK 27-28 May 2010.
Spread Betting UK 25-26 May 2010, updated 26-May-10
In the early trading the Dow Jones is up 107 points at 10150, with Bank of America ahead with gains of 2.79%, followed by Caterpillar (+2.69%) and Boeing (+2.61%). While we have seen gains for the...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-26 May 2010.
Spread Trading UK 21-24 May 2010, updated 24-May-10
Weakness in index heavyweight BP held the market back as BP's efforts to stem the Gulf leak are proving less effective than hoped. There are now signs that the...read article: Spread Trading UK 21-24 May 2010.
Spread Betting UK 19-20 May 2010, updated 20-May-10
Just after the close in London, it has been another day of near-relentless selling that has seen the FTSE 100 hit its worst levels in more than six months. Once again the main blame for the...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-20 May 2010.
Spread Trading UK 17-18 May 2010, updated 18-May-10
Heading into the last hour of trading, UK blue chips are comfortably up on the day. A strong bounce back by the mining sector, always a key driver for the...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-18 May 2010.
Spread Betting UK 13-14 May 2010, updated 14-May-10
Gold is positioning itself for a test of fresh highs above $1250/oz but this just serves to underline the level of fear we're seeing in the market...read article: Spread Betting UK 13-14 May 2010.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 May 2010, updated 12-May-10
The FTSE has had a strong afternoon and looks set to finish the first day of this new coalition government on a positive note. The political union of David Cameron and Nick Clegg has...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 May 2010.
Spread Betting UK 7-10 May 2010, updated 10-May-10
There was no hiding the jubilation among equity traders after the Greek bailout package was agreed over the weekend. The FTSE 100 added over £70 billion in value with...read article: Spread Betting UK 7-10 May 2010.
Spread Trading UK 5-6 May 2010, updated 06-May-10
The short-term fortunes of the London index will be dictated by the outcome of today's general election. However, failure to see a clear result by tomorrow's open could easily ...read article: Spread Trading UK 5-6 May 2010.
Spread Betting UK 30 April - 4 May 2010, updated 04-May-10
After the one day holiday in the UK, investors were bracing themselves for a sell-off in the mining blue chips following the Australian announcement of a super tax on profits. This initial slide has...read article: Spread Betting UK 30 April - 4 May 2010.
Spread Trading UK 28-29 April 2010, updated 29-Apr-10
BSkyB was the biggest winner today, rocketing to the top of the leader board after they revealed pre-tax profits had more than doubled for...read article: Spread Trading UK 28-29 April 2010.
Spread Betting UK 26-27 April 2010, updated 27-Apr-10
It has been a day of steady drifting for UK blue chips, with the FTSE trading back to where it started the month. Early gains from Lloyds Banking Group helped...read article: Spread Betting UK 26-27 April 2010.
Spread Trading UK 22-23 April 2010, updated 23-Apr-10
The last week has seen plenty to rock markets: Goldman Sachs sued by the SEC; the Greek debt situation raising its head again and today's GDP number. Although shares in London have...read article: Spread Trading UK 22-23 April 2010.
Spread Betting UK 20-21 April 2010, updated 21-Apr-10
A strong open on Wall Street managed to halt the FTSE's nosedive, with strong earnings reports from the technology and financial sectors stoking early trading...read article: Spread Betting UK 20-21 April 2010.
Spread Trading UK 16-19 April 2010, updated 19-Apr-10
After some plain sailing in recent weeks, today has seen investors' thoughts still dominated by the fallout from Friday's Goldman Sachs news and the ongoing...read article: Spread Trading UK 16-19 April 2010.
Spread Betting UK 14-15 April 2010, updated 15-Apr-10
Heading into the close UK shares have set another 22-month high as markets have shrugged off poor consumer data. In early trading it was...read article: Spread Betting UK 14-15 April 2010.
Spread Trading UK 12-13 April 2010, updated 13-Apr-10
Heading into the close UK shares have remained under pressure. The weakness in the mining sector after yesterday's disappointing numbers from US giant Alcoa has...read article: Spread Trading UK 12-13 April 2010.
Spread Betting UK 8-9 April 2010, updated 09-Apr-10
Xstrata's share price was boosted by reports in the Australian press that the miner is considering a bid for MacArthur Coal; expect investors to keep a...read article: Spread Betting UK 8-9 April 2010.
Spread Trading UK 6-7 April 2010, updated 07-Apr-10
MAN Group was boosted by a broker upgrade, while evidence of the impact of strike action in British Airways' traffic figures for March saw...read article: Spread Trading UK 6-7 April 2010.
Spread Betting UK 31 March - 1 April 2010, updated 01-Apr-10
After a fairly sideways market this week, UK shares are trading near their best levels on an upbeat day driven by manufacturing expansion in China. This has given a lift to commodities, with a...read article: Spread Betting UK 31 March - 1 April 2010.
Spread Trading UK 29-30 March 2010, updated 30-Mar-10
It is the mining sector that has proved to be the overall winner today, lifted early on by news from BHP Billiton. The company announced that it had...read article: Spread Trading UK 29-30 March 2010.
Spread Betting UK 25-26 March 2010, updated 26-Mar-10
As we approach the close, the FTSE is struggling to hold clear of the 5700 level despite a bumper start to trade on Wall Street. In what has been a...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-26 March 2010.
Spread Trading UK 23-24 March 2010, updated 24-Mar-10
Diversified manufacturer Smiths Group was heading up the FTSE leader board, up almost 2.5%, while Shire and GlaxoSmithKline also...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-24 March 2010.
Spread Betting UK 19-22 March 2010, updated 22-Mar-10
Heavyweight sectors are set to slip from favour in the coming days with gold below $1,100/oz and crude oil trading at the sub-$80/barrel level. This may do little to...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-22 March 2010.
Spread Trading UK 17-18 March 2010, updated 18-Mar-10
The FTSE has recovered its early losses, but is anchored around its opening level after what has ultimately been a flat day's trading. Banks and miners continued to sink in...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-18 March 2010.
Spread Betting UK 15-16 March 2010, updated 16-Mar-10
European finance ministers met to formulate a strategy to help out Greece if its own steps prove unable to ease its debt burden. This has helped the positive sentiment for...read article: Spread Betting UK 15-16 March 2010.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 March 2010, updated 12-Mar-10
Both the Dow Jones and the German Dax have yet to crack the earlier high points hit in January this year. This has left some investors a little nervous that...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 March 2010.
Spread Betting UK 9-10 March 2010, updated 10-Mar-10
UK manufacturing was in the news as factory production fell for the first time in five months during January. The drop of 0.9% from December was anecdotally attributed to...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-10 March 2010.
Spread Trading UK 5-8 March 2010, updated 08-Mar-10
Oil services business Petrofac has held onto its early gains following full-year results showing profits up by a third. Last week's share price had...read article: Spread Trading UK 5-8 March 2010.
Spread Betting UK 3-4 March 2010, updated 04-Mar-10
It has been a more subdued session than we have been used to of late for shares in London. Initially sentiment was strong but this has waned during the day following a...read article: Spread Betting UK 3-4 March 2010.
Spread Trading UK 1-2 March 2010, updated 02-Mar-10
Prudential continued to reel after yesterday's acquisition news. The fact that they have bid such a high price for AIA can't be escaping many in the market. Comparisons with RBS' fateful acquisition of...read article: Spread Trading UK 1-2 March 2010.
Spread Betting UK 25-26 February 2010, updated 26-Feb-10
The initial focus today was on results for Lloyds Banking Group, where a loss of £6.3 billion came in, slightly worse than expected. With strong results from...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-26 February 2010.
Spread Trading UK 23-24 February 2010, updated 24-Feb-10
Heading into the close the FTSE looks like it will finish positively. HSBC, Lloyds, Prudential and Admiral Group were among the...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-24 February 2010.
Spread Betting UK 19-22 February 2010, updated 22-Feb-10
The biggest gainer on the day has been RBS ahead of this week's results, due out on Thursday. There are signs that expectations are building ahead of...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-22 February 2010.
Spread Trading UK 17-18 February 2010, updated 18-Feb-10
Wall Street has found added support this afternoon with blue chips reporting some decent earnings news. In addition, healthy inflation figures and upbeat...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-18 February 2010.
Spread Betting UK 15-16 February 2010, updated 16-Feb-10
Barclays has been the standout performer, building on yesterday's gains as the bank kicked-off the sector's reporting season. It seems that traders have been in no mood to...read article: Spread Betting UK 15-16 February 2010.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 February 2010, updated 12-Feb-10
Shares had a double whammy early on, first of all news out of the Eurozone showed growth - but only barely - in the fourth quarter, with the German economy stagnating. This was shortly followed by...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 February 2010.
Spread Betting UK 9-10 February 2010, updated 10-Feb-10
As we head into the final stages of trading this afternoon, the UK's leading index is well off its intra-day highs. The FTSE was generally buoyant in the morning session, fuelled by the...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-10 February 2010.
Spread Trading UK 5-8 February 2010, updated 08-Feb-10
It has been a tug of war between miners and financial stocks for much of today. The likes of Rangold Resources and Xstrata have seen a positive response to their ...read article: Spread Trading UK 5-8 February 2010.
Spread Betting UK 3-4 February 2010, updated 04-Feb-10
Heading into the close, shares in the UK have received something of a mauling as poor unemployment numbers in the US have knocked sentiment for six. Shares in the UK were under pressure from...read article: Spread Betting UK 3-4 February 2010.
Spread Trading UK 1-2 February 2010, updated 02-Feb-10
The heavyweight sectors have been very much in focus with broker upgrades lending some notable support to the mining stocks. Meanwhile, the energy sector has...read article: Spread Trading UK 1-2 February 2010.
Spread Betting UK 28-29 January 2010, updated 29-Jan-10
As the week draws to a close, the FTSE has managed to drag itself back above 5200. Whether it can continue to reverse the last couple of...read article: Spread Betting UK 28-29 January 2010.
Spread Trading UK 26-27 January 2010, updated 27-Jan-10
The UK's leading index is trading near daily lows, after earlier sinking to fresh depths for 2010. Man Group is the biggest loser as...read article: Spread Trading UK 26-27 January 2010.
Spread Betting UK 22-25 January 2010, updated 25-Jan-10
In the UK all eyes are now on the release of the latest quarterly GDP data which, like last time, is finally expected to show that the UK has moved...read article: Spread Betting UK 22-25 January 2010.
Spread Trading UK 20-21 January 2010, updated 21-Jan-10
It was a combination of concerns, as US markets got into their stride, that knocked sentiment for six. A significant worry seems to be the steps that ...read article: Spread Trading UK 20-21 January 2010.
Spread Betting UK 18-19 January 2010, updated 19-Jan-10
During the morning session the FTSE 100 had slipped back towards a two-week low. Weighing on sentiment was the latest inflation data for...read article: Spread Betting UK 18-19 January 2010.
Spread Trading UK 14-15 January 2010, updated 15-Jan-10
At the beginning of today shares looked poised to continue their recovery but these hopes were dashed when US markets opened and promptly...read article: Spread Trading UK 14-15 January 2010.
Spread Betting UK 12-13 January 2010, updated 13-Jan-10
The FTSE 100 looks likely to close slightly lower, having traded sideways through most of the day. Oscillating around the 5490 mark, the index was buoyed by a...read article: Spread Betting UK 12-13 January 2010.
Spread Trading UK 8-11 January 2010, updated 11-Jan-10
Shares in London look set to finish broadly unchanged today, after a strong start petered out. Initially shares were given a lift by the...read article: Spread Trading UK 8-11 January 2010.
Spread Betting UK 6-7 January 2010, updated 07-Jan-10
After a weak session, London equities have crept into the black ahead of the close. There's been little around during the day to provide any...read article: Spread Betting UK 6-7 January 2010.
Spread Trading UK 4-5 January 2010, updated 05-Jan-10
The strong start made to 2010 by shares shows the ten month recovery by the FTSE 100 is still going strong. The next target traders are eyeing for the index are the...read article: Spread Trading UK 4-5 January 2010.
Spread Betting UK 22-23 December 2009, updated 23-Dec-09
Heading into today's final hour UK shares are staying strong, with the FTSE now floating around 34 points higher than...read article: Spread Betting UK 22-23 December 2009.
Spread Trading UK 18-21 December 2009, updated 21-Dec-09
Strength in the energy sector gave the UK market a lift early on today ? and this is a trend that has continued. The biggest mover so far is...read article: Spread Trading UK 18-21 December 2009.
Spread Betting UK 16-17 December 2009, updated 17-Dec-09
UK shares have been in reverse for most of today, dragging the FTSE back down towards the 5200 mark. The catalyst for Thursday's weakness seems to have been...read article: Spread Betting UK 16-17 December 2009.
Spread Trading UK 14-15 December 2009, updated 15-Dec-09
After an initial wobble on Wall Street at the open today, there are early signs of some positive sentiment and this has helped to lift the FTSE 100 back towards the...read article: Spread Trading UK 14-15 December 2009.
Spread Betting UK 10-11 December 2009, updated 11-Dec-09
The FTSE 100 looks set to finish not a million miles away from the 5300 mark, although all of the gains today were all made within the first...read article: Spread Betting UK 10-11 December 2009.
Spread Trading UK 8-9 December 2009, updated 09-Dec-09
Greece's debt woes, a poor trading session across Asian equities overnight and doubts over Dubai World's $26 billion restructuring seemed to pour cold water over hopes of any...read article: Spread Trading UK 8-9 December 2009.
Spread Betting UK 4-7 December 2009, updated 07-Dec-09
Heading into the close it looks set to be a flat finish for UK shares. It has been a day of two halves so far, with shares hit hard on the open as...read article: Spread Betting UK 4-7 December 2009.
Spread Trading UK 2-3 December 2009, updated 03-Dec-09
Heading into the close it looks set to be a slightly weaker finish for London shares. Overall it's been an uneventful day, with shares flipping from...read article: Spread Trading UK 2-3 December 2009.
Spread Betting UK 30 November - 1 December 2009, updated 01-Dec-09
Heading into the close the FTSE has enjoyed a strong day. US markets opened in positive territory as predicted, with the Dow up...read article: Spread Betting UK 30 November - 1 December 2009.
Spread Trading UK 26-27 November 2009, updated 27-Nov-09
The story for most of today has been one of continued recovery, clawing back a portion of the losses seen on Thursday in response to the concerns over...read article: Spread Trading UK 26-27 November 2009.
Spread Betting UK 24-25 November 2009, updated 25-Nov-09
The price of gold reached a new all-time high and sent Randgold Resources towards the top of the...read article: Spread Betting UK 24-25 November 2009.
Spread Trading UK 20-23 November 2009, updated 23-Nov-09
At one point today, the FTSE 100 had totally reversed four days of losses from last week and looks set to finish up back above...read article: Spread Trading UK 20-23 November 2009.
Spread Betting UK 18-19 November 2009, updated 19-Nov-09
Heading into the close, today has seen a substantial sell-off for UK shares. At the moment the FTSE 100 is off by around 80 points and back below...read article: Spread Betting UK 18-19 November 2009.
Spread Trading UK 16-17 November 2009, updated 17-Nov-09
Heading into the last hour of trading, UK shares are still a little weaker on the day. Trading today has been uneventful and...read article: Spread Trading UK 16-17 November 2009.
Spread Betting UK 12-13 November 2009, updated 13-Nov-09
A weak start on Wall Street has left the FTSE languishing in negative territory as we approach the close. Despite earlier hopes that shares across the Atlantic would jump out of the block and...read article: Spread Betting UK 12-13 November 2009.
Spread Trading UK 10-11 November 2009, updated 11-Nov-09
The FTSE got off to a cracking start and hit a fresh 2009 intraday high of 5300. With the negative speculation surrounding the recent equity slowdown, positives have been...read article: Spread Trading UK 10-11 November 2009.
Spread Betting UK 6-9 November 2009, updated 09-Nov-09
In the US, the Dow Jones has already moved to fresh highs for the year, with traders starting to look at 10,500 as the...read article: Spread Betting UK 6-9 November 2009.
Spread Trading UK 4-5 November 2009, updated 05-Nov-09
At the end of trading in London, UK shares finished slightly ahead. We have seen quite a volatile day for shares with initial losses in the morning turned around in...read article: Spread Trading UK 4-5 November 2009.
Spread Betting UK 2-3 November 2009, updated 03-Nov-09
Heading into the final hour of trading, UK shares are off their worst levels but still down on the day. Even though the focus today has been the banking sector - with the latest government shake-up announced - the weakness has been...read article: Spread Betting UK 2-3 November 2009.
Spread Trading UK 29-30 October 2009, updated 30-Oct-09
While there was speculation that the Dow's rally yesterday would translate to an increased level of investment, things are not quite panning out that way. The Dow Jones has opened 72.70 points lower and is trading at...read article: Spread Trading UK 29-30 October 2009.
Spread Betting UK 27-28 October 2009, updated 28-Oct-09
Heading into the close the UK's leading index looks set to chalk up another loss on the day and is heading back south toward the 5000 level. The share prices of...read article: Spread Betting UK 27-28 October 2009.
Spread Trading UK 23-26 October 2009, updated 26-Oct-09
With markets having to wait an hour longer than usual for the US open, due to the switch to GMT, it had been something of a quiet afternoon, with shares...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-26 October 2009.
Spread Betting UK 21-22 October 2009, updated 22-Oct-09
Shares in London were under pressure right from the start today after a sharp sell-off towards the close in Wall Street ensured that sentiment was going to be...read article: Spread Betting UK 21-22 October 2009.
Spread Trading UK 19-20 October 2009, updated 20-Oct-09
Approaching the close, the London index is threatening to extend earlier losses as Wall Street fails to offer any support. With limited fundamentals due out of...read article: Spread Trading UK 19-20 October 2009.
Spread Betting UK 15-16 October 2009, updated 16-Oct-09
After a quiet start to the day, UK shares have spent the day under some pressure after a disappointing quarterly update from Bank of America. The US company lost...read article: Spread Betting UK 15-16 October 2009.
Spread Trading UK 13-14 October 2009, updated 14-Oct-09
News that Rio Tinto upgraded its iron ore production target by around 7.5% saw the mining firm add around 4% to its share price and boosted the...read article: Spread Trading UK 13-14 October 2009.
Spread Betting UK 9-12 October 2009, updated 12-Oct-09
The FTSE 100 index has now risen by more than 50% since the March lows. It is only natural after a run like this that we start to wonder how far away a...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-12 October 2009.
Spread Trading UK 7-8 October 2009, updated 08-Oct-09
The FTSE 100 looks set to finish up, although significantly off earlier highs. Once again the mining sector has dragged the market...read article: Spread Trading UK 7-8 October 2009.
Spread Betting UK 5-6 October 2009, updated 06-Oct-09
After a hugely uneventful mid-session, the FTSE has found fresh inspiration as we move towards the close. The London index spent almost four hours trading in little more than a ten point range today. However, despite the...read article: Spread Betting UK 5-6 October 2009.
Spread Trading UK 1-2 October 2009, updated 02-Oct-09
As we approach the close, the FTSE is working hard to finish above the 5000 mark. Falling bid speculation and the worse-than-expected US non-farm payrolls have combined to provide a stark...read article: Spread Trading UK 1-2 October 2009.
Spread Betting UK 29-30 September 2009, updated 30-Sep-09
The Dow Jones - having initially opened stronger - plummeted lower, dragging the FTSE down too. At around 3.30pm all 30 stocks in the Dow were losers as the index slid 123 points - or -1.26%. Somewhat strangely, the Chicago PMI has overshadowed the news that...read article: Spread Betting UK 29-30 September 2009.
Spread Betting UK 25-28 September 2009, updated 28-Sep-09
As we move into the latter stages of trading today, the FTSE looks set to begin the week up around 1.72%. After struggling for momentum in morning trading, the UK index was helped by a strong performance from...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-28 September 2009.
Spread Trading UK 23-24 September 2009, updated 24-Sep-09
It looks set to be a weak finish for UK shares. After a choppy day, the final hour of trading sees the FTSE 100 dropping back to its worst levels in over a week. Markets did not seem...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-24 September 2009.
Spread Trading UK 21-22 September 2009, updated 22-Sep-09
After a fantastic morning, the FTSE 100 has eased back after a weaker-than-expected start to the US markets has taken some of the wind out of its sails. But UK shares remain positive with...read article: Spread Trading UK 21-22 September 2009.
Spread Betting UK 17-18 September 2009, updated 18-Sep-09
Moving towards the close the FTSE 100 is scrapping to stay in the black, but for the time being at least is on course to post its tenth move higher in the last 11 sessions. It's been a relatively...read article: Spread Betting UK 17-18 September 2009.
Spread Trading UK 15-16 September 2009, updated 16-Sep-09
As we move into the latter stages of the day's trading, the UK's leading index continues to show considerable upward momentum. The FTSE once again broke new ground for the year, with energy stocks...read article: Spread Trading UK 15-16 September 2009.
Spread Trading UK 11-14 September 2009, updated 14-Sep-09
After getting hit reasonably hard in the morning session, shares in London have gradually clawed back the earlier losses to sit flat on the day. The mining sector was dragging the...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-14 September 2009.
Spread Betting UK 9-10 September 2009, updated 10-Sep-09
After the brief excitement of a move back through 5,000 it has been a quieter day for the FTSE 100, dominated by retailers. Results from Morrisons, Home Retail and Kesa Electrical were varied, but a common theme was of a fairly cautious outlook over the coming months. This does tie-in with the consumer data we have...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-10 September 2009.
Spread Betting UK 7-8 September 2009, updated 08-Sep-09
Heading into the close it is set to be another positive finish for shares in London. Stock markets are off their earlier highs but still seem well underpinned with a...read article: Spread Betting UK 7-8 September 2009.
Spread Betting UK 3-4 September 2009, updated 04-Sep-09
Heading into the close it is a strong finish for UK stocks. Friday's continued rally by the UK stock market has helped to ease the nerves caused earlier in the week by the...read article: Spread Betting UK 3-4 September 2009.
Spread Betting UK 1-2 September 2009, updated 02-Sep-09
Heading into the close the FTSE looks set to end down for the second day in a row. The heavy overnight falls on Wall Street had an impact on investment around the world today and the FTSE Index was...read article: Spread Betting UK 1-2 September 2009.
Spread Trading UK 27-28 August 2009, updated 28-Aug-09
As we go into the final hour of trading, the UK index looks set up to finish the week on a bullish note. The typically volatile mining sector was leading the way, making up four of the...read article: Spread Trading UK 27-28 August 2009.
Spread Betting UK 25-26 August 2009, updated 26-Aug-09
Today it was the turn of the miner, Antofagasta, to provide meaningful direction for the markets. The Chilean copper major released lower-than-expected first-half earnings, however, saying that copper prices would remain volatile going into the second half of the year. And so the direction hoped for was not the one that...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-26 August 2009.
Spread Betting UK 21-24 August 2009, updated 24-Aug-09
Ben Bernanke's optimism over a global recovery, improved existing home sales in the US and an impressive rally across Asian markets combined to help the UK market to its best...read article: Spread Betting UK 21-24 August 2009.
Spread Betting UK 19-20 August 2009, updated 20-Aug-09
Heading into the close it looks set to be a strong finish for UK shares. After an early afternoon wobble, UK shares have regained momentum as the day has gone on, with the FTSE 100 hitting...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-20 August 2009.
Spread Trading UK 17-18 August 2009, updated 18-Aug-09
Heading into the close, UK stocks are still just about positive on the day, but well off earlier highs. Strong gains this morning that saw the FTSE 100 nudging back towards the...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-18 August 2009.
Spread Betting UK 13-14 August 2009, updated 14-Aug-09
The UK market opened strongly but found resistance at 4790, tailed off slightly during the day and significantly towards the end of it, as the Dow...read article: Spread Betting UK 13-14 August 2009.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 August 2009, updated 12-Aug-09
Heading into the last hour of trading, the FTSE managed to shrug off a 14-year high in UK unemployment and downbeat comments from the BoE to break 4700 once again. After early losses, the banking sector...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 August 2009.
Spread Betting UK 7-10 August 2009, updated 10-Aug-09
Trouble for miner Rio Tinto after an employee in a provincial arm of China's Administration for the Protection of State secrets wrote an article accusing Rio of 'commercial espionage' by stealing...read article: Spread Betting UK 7-10 August 2009.
Spread Trading UK 5-6 August 2009, updated 06-Aug-09
Today has seen the FTSE push out to its best level in ten months and there still seems to be the attitude of buying into weakness, rather than everyone heading for...read article: Spread Trading UK 5-6 August 2009.
Spread Betting UK 3-4 August 2009, updated 04-Aug-09
The S+P continues to struggle to make a sustained break above the 1000 level and it is arguably going to...read article: Spread Betting UK 3-4 August 2009.
Spread Trading UK 30-31 July 2009, updated 31-Jul-09
The biggest mover has been British Airways, up by around 6% despite first quarter losses of £148 million. BA said that it was seeing signs of improvement in...read article: Spread Trading UK 30-31 July 2009.
Spread Betting UK 28-29 July 2009, updated 29-Jul-09
No single sector dominated amongst the big gainers, with a fairly even spread across all industries. Whereas previous rallies have either...read article: Spread Betting UK 28-29 July 2009.
Spread Trading UK 24-27 July 2009, updated 27-Jul-09
Top gainer was publisher Pearson which was strong from the start of trading today on better than expected first-half results. Today's positive finish for Pearson has...read article: Spread Trading UK 24-27 July 2009.
Spread Betting UK 22-23 July 2009, updated 23-Jul-09
Strength has seen the FTSE back at its best level for more than six months and sees the index finally cracking the...read article: Spread Betting UK 22-23 July 2009.
Spread Trading UK 20-21 July 2009, updated 21-Jul-09
The S+P 500 and Dow Jones Indices are fluctuating around their highs for the year, while the...read article: Spread Trading UK 20-21 July 2009.
Spread Betting UK 16-17 July 2009, updated 17-Jul-09
Miners are rallying, taking the top five places in the FTSE. Eurasian Natural Resources, Xstrata and Vedanta Resources racked up gains of...read article: Spread Betting UK 16-17 July 2009.
Spread Trading UK 14-15 July 2009, updated 15-Jul-09
The Dow has opened sharply higher this afternoon, boosted by a rise in technology stocks, while London's markets...read article: Spread Trading UK 14-15 July 2009.
Spread Betting UK 10-13 July 2009, updated 13-Jul-09
Friends Provident was the biggest gainer on news that it had rejected a takeover bid from Resolution. It has continued to build on these gains as the day has progressed and has...read article: Spread Betting UK 10-13 July 2009.
Spread Trading UK 8-9 July 2009, updated 09-Jul-09
As expected the Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged and will not be increasing quantitative easing at the moment. The main benefit was felt by the pound, rather than...read article: Spread Trading UK 8-9 July 2009.
Spread Betting UK 30 June - 1 July 2009, updated 01-Jul-09
BP and Royal Dutch Shell performed well - both adding around 2% on the day. After the worst UK GDP figures in 51 years, the FTSE put on a defiant performance today. Mining and energies led the charge on...read article: Spread Betting UK 30 June - 1 July 2009.
Spread Trading UK 26-29 June 2009, updated 29-Jun-09
After a sluggish morning, equities found direction this afternoon following a strong start on Wall Street. The Dow Jones index managed to push out to...read article: Spread Trading UK 26-29 June 2009.
Spread Betting UK 23-24 June 2009, updated 24-Jun-09
Today the miners reasserted themselves. Lomin, Anglo American and Kazakhmys were among the top 5 winners, all benefitting from higher metal prices. Anglo American also continues...read article: Spread Betting UK 23-24 June 2009.
Spread Trading UK 19-22 June 2009, updated 22-Jun-09
The focus today has been on the mining sector and the news of Xstrata's proposed merger with Anglo American. The latter has topped the blue chip leader board all day. However, in a reflection...read article: Spread Trading UK 19-22 June 2009.
Spread Betting UK 17-18 June 2009, updated 18-Jun-09
The full force of the retail figures will be felt in the currency market, where the pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar in over a week. The surprise rebound for the FTSE this afternoon will have investors wondering...read article: Spread Betting UK 17-18 June 2009.
Spread Trading UK 15-16 June 2009, updated 16-Jun-09
As we go into the final stages of trading, the FTSE is struggling to hold on to the small gains it made earlier in the day. With a firmly average performance across all sectors today, the UK's leading equity market...read article: Spread Trading UK 15-16 June 2009.
Spread Betting UK 11-12 June 2009, updated 12-Jun-09
Barclays provided some mild excitement as it was confirmed that BlackRock will be taking on the bank's investment division. This was, of course, far from being a surprise, and the weakness seen in...read article: Spread Betting UK 11-12 June 2009.
Spread Trading UK 9-10 June 2009, updated 10-Jun-09
Miners continue to be the index's golden boy, with both Vedanta Resources and Eurasian Natural Resources posting gains of over 10%, and Xstrata and Kazakhmys not...read article: Spread Trading UK 9-10 June 2009.
Spread Betting UK 5-8 June 2009, updated 08-Jun-09
The banking sector was under pressure with Lloyds the biggest loser so far, down by around 7%. Rather than due to any particular news flow, this is more to do with the reluctance...read article: Spread Betting UK 5-8 June 2009.
Spread Trading UK 3-4 June 2009, updated 04-Jun-09
At lunchtime the resignation of Gordon Brown was imminent, leading to the pound dropping by around 3 cents versus the US dollar...read article: Spread Trading UK 3-4 June 2009.
Spread Betting UK 1-2 June 2009, updated 02-Jun-09
The sale of Barclays shares may well act as something of a wake-up call for those sitting on recent short-term gains in the banks. A reminder that...read article: Spread Betting UK 1-2 June 2009.
Spread Trading UK 28-29 May 2009, updated 29-May-09
Commodity producers are seeing the best of the gains as metal prices rose and China's growth prospects were favourably reassessed, providing...read article: Spread Trading UK 28-29 May 2009.
Spread Betting UK 26-27 May 2009, updated 27-May-09
The FTSE index was clearly, again, waiting for Wall Street to provide focus and direction. However, the Dow, like its counterpart, ebbed and flowed in early trading, losing...read article: Spread Betting UK 26-27 May 2009.
Spread Trading UK 21-22 May 2009, updated 22-May-09
It has been a choppy day of trading in London, with a strong start whittled away after a weak...read article: Spread Trading UK 21-22 May 2009.
Spread Betting UK 19-20 May 2009, updated 20-May-09
Wider economic data is providing fairly mixed messages for investors at the moment. Today we have witnessed a record fall in Japan's economy, but the highest oil prices in six months and...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-20 May 2009.
Spread Trading UK 15-18 May 2009, updated 18-May-09
Lloyds Banking Group has topped the blue chip gainers for the day following news that...read article: Spread Trading UK 15-18 May 2009.
Spread Betting UK 13-14 May 2009, updated 14-May-09
Early focus was on BT, with both job losses totalling 15,000, and an annual pre-tax loss of £134 million announced, the telecoms giant found itself among...read article: Spread Betting UK 13-14 May 2009.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 May 2009, updated 12-May-09
Today's very brief trip through $60 was the highest it has been in nearly six months. With oil prices strengthening - and it is still early days - some traders are starting to...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 May 2009.
Spread Betting UK 7-8 May 2009, updated 08-May-09
Before we get carried away thinking the only way is up, the FTSE 100 is still below the highs for the year, around 4700, so for some there is ground to be won to eliminate any doubts that markets are...read article: Spread Betting UK 7-8 May 2009.
Spread Trading UK 5-6 May 2009, updated 06-May-09
Blue chip companies including Sage, Hammerson, and Legal & General led the charge today, with Standard Chartered heading the pack with a...read article: Spread Trading UK 5-6 May 2009.
Spread Betting UK 30 April - 1 May 2009, updated 01-May-09
After opening slightly down, the UK's leading index has spent most of today's session meandering upwards to around the 4250 mark. A poor start for the Dow put some pressure on UK stocks during mid-afternoon trading, but overall...read article: Spread Betting UK 30 April - 1 May 2009.
Spread Trading UK 28-29 April 2009, updated 29-Apr-09
Travel stocks experienced a recovery too, as shares in British Airways took off after losing value in the last couple of days over fears of...read article: Spread Trading UK 28-29 April 2009.
Spread Betting UK 24-27 April 2009, updated 27-Apr-09
Travel companies remained amongst the weakest performers, with British Airways off by more than 7%. Unsurprisingly it was...read article: Spread Betting UK 24-27 April 2009.
Spread Trading UK 22-23 April 2009, updated 23-Apr-09
Some early weakness on Wall Street took some of the shine off this afternoon but...read article: Spread Trading UK 22-23 April 2009.
Spread Betting UK 20-21 April 2009, updated 21-Apr-09
The FTSE 100 ran out of steam at the beginning of this month after a brief foray above...read article: Spread Betting UK 20-21 April 2009.
Spread Trading UK 16-17 April 2009, updated 17-Apr-09
Banking stocks were strong again today, with Lloyds up by around 10% and nudging...read article: Spread Trading UK 16-17 April 2009.
Spread Betting 14-15 April 2009, updated 15-Apr-09
The Dow was also bucking a trend, although in the opposite direction to the FTSE, rising...read article: Spread Betting 14-15 April 2009.
Spread Trading UK 8-9 April 2009, updated 09-Apr-09
On the day that the Bank of England left interest rates at their historic low, it was the banking sector, led by Barclays, that fuelled the...read article: Spread Trading UK 8-9 April 2009.
Spread Betting UK 6-7 April 2009, updated 07-Apr-09
RBS's announcement that it may cut 9000 jobs this year led their stock to fall, and ...read article: Spread Betting UK 6-7 April 2009.
Spread Trading UK 2-3 April 2009, updated 03-Apr-09
The fact that this week the FTSE 100 has managed to clear the 4,000 mark for the first time since...read article: Spread Trading UK 2-3 April 2009.
Spread Betting UK 31 March - 1 April 2009, updated 01-Apr-09
The M&S share price pushed out to levels not seen since August of last year. With a rise of around 50 percent since the lows set in November, there could be...read article: Spread Betting UK 31 March - 1 April 2009.
Spread Trading UK 27-30 March 2009, updated 30-Mar-09
The blame for today's weakness sits with both the financials and the mining sector. Both Barclays and RBS were off by...read article: Spread Trading UK 27-30 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 25-26 March 2009, updated 26-Mar-09
The actions and comments by the US Federal Reserve over the past ten days has definitely kept momentum positive as far as US markets are concerned but...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-26 March 2009.
Spread Trading UK 23-24 March 2009, updated 24-Mar-09
Weakness in commodity prices weighed on the big mining stocks early on and the big surprise came...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-24 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 19-20 March 2009, updated 20-Mar-09
Insurers Prudential, Legal & General and Standard Life continue to ride the wave after the...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-20 March 2009.
Spread Trading UK 17-18 March 2009, updated 18-Mar-09
US stocks fell amidst fears that the Fed's upcoming announcement will fail to provide the economy with its much-needed boost. The S+P 500 lost 0.87%, with energy shares...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-18 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 13-16 March 2009, updated 16-Mar-09
The feel-good factor has continued for UK stocks today with the financials once again helping to lift most of the market. Barclays was the top gainer on speculation that it is looking to boost...read article: Spread Betting UK 13-16 March 2009.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 March 2009, updated 12-Mar-09
US markets have got off to a strong start, and this looks to be the main catalyst behind the strength for the UK. In early trading, the Dow Jones has managed to break above...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 9-10 March 2009, updated 10-Mar-09
Positive comments from the Citigroup CEO about a strong start to the year also gave the markets a much needed injection of confidence. This has all helped the...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-10 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 5-6 March 2009, updated 06-Mar-09
As we have got so used to lately, as the day went on the positive sentiment ebbed away to leave the FTSE 100 just a couple of hundred points above...read article: Spread Betting UK 5-6 March 2009.
Spread Trading UK 3-4 March 2009, updated 04-Mar-09
We saw a similar initial rally yesterday too, most of the activity centred around the mining sector, with Kazakhmys leading the way...read article: Spread Trading UK 3-4 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 27 February - 2 March 2009, updated 02-Mar-09
When US markets opened for the day the Dow plunged through 7,000 to go back to where it was in 1997. While it is very easy to...read article: Spread Betting UK 27 February - 2 March 2009.
Spread Betting UK 25-26 February 2009, updated 26-Feb-09
So far the lows for last year, on both the FTSE and the broader US index, the S&P 500, have managed to halt the latest decline. But with seemingly no...read article: Spread Betting UK 25-26 February 2009.
Spread Trading UK 23-24 February 2009, updated 24-Feb-09
With Vodafone cutting 5% of its workforce to reduce costs, another monthly drop in UK retail sales and US consumer confidence hitting a record low, investors are being given...read article: Spread Trading UK 23-24 February 2009.
Spread Betting UK 19-20 February 2009, updated 20-Feb-09
In the UK, miners bore the brunt of the wide-scale sell off, with Anglo American (14.4%), Kazakhmys (7.5%) and...read article: Spread Betting UK 19-20 February 2009.
Spread Trading UK 17-18 February 2009, updated 18-Feb-09
Bank losses have not helped, and financial institutions have been today?s biggest losers, with both RBS and Legal & General losing more than...read article: Spread Trading UK 17-18 February 2009.
Spread Betting UK 13-16 February 2009, updated 16-Feb-09
Banking was under the cosh again, following the fallout from Friday's profit warning for Lloyds due to a bigger than...read article: Spread Betting UK 13-16 February 2009.
Spread Trading UK 11-12 February 2009, updated 12-Feb-09
Biggest loser on the day is telecoms giant BT - off by more than 7% on the back of a big dive in third quarter earnings. This has pushed the share price below...read article: Spread Trading UK 11-12 February 2009.
Spread Betting UK 9-10 February 2009, updated 10-Feb-09
With today's downbeat reminders from the US of what lies ahead, it may be that we have seen the best of stock market strength in the short-term which could leave markets...read article: Spread Betting UK 9-10 February 2009.
Spread Trading UK 5-6 February 2009, updated 06-Feb-09
The UK index advanced steadily throughout the day and breached the 4300 mark by mid-afternoon. The upward trajectory seemed to be confirmed when the Dow shot up around...read article: Spread Trading UK 5-6 February 2009.
Spread Betting UK 3-4 February 2009, updated 04-Feb-09
In the US, banks and mining firms started the early morning well, with the Dow rising by around 60 points and both...read article: Spread Betting UK 3-4 February 2009.
Spread Trading UK 30 January - 2 February 2009, updated 02-Feb-09
The UK's leading index has seen a flurry of losses across the board, with the seemingly ever-turbulent financial sector taking the biggest hits. Barclays was posting losses just short of...read article: Spread Trading UK 30 January - 2 February 2009.
Spread Betting UK 28-29 January 2009, updated 29-Jan-09
The London market has been in reverse for much of the session. There was weakness across the board, with financial stocks particularly under pressure again, maybe not too surprising after the...read article: Spread Betting UK 28-29 January 2009.
Spread Trading UK 26-27 January 2009, updated 27-Jan-09
There is a pervasive sense that the bounce back over the last few days has run its course, the FTSE has struggled with the...read article: Spread Trading UK 26-27 January 2009.
Spread Betting UK 22-23 January 2009, updated 23-Jan-09
Until the US opened this afternoon, the FTSE 100 had spent most of the day below the psychological 4000 mark. The catalyst for the break below 4000 were the...read article: Spread Betting UK 22-23 January 2009.
Spread Trading UK 20-21 January 2009, updated 21-Jan-09
Dow managed to remain buoyant, with strong starts from Citigroup and Bank of America up...read article: Spread Trading UK 20-21 January 2009.
Spread Betting UK 16-19 January 2009, updated 19-Jan-09
RBS has been the main focus, with the bank expected to post the biggest loss in UK history next...read article: Spread Betting UK 16-19 January 2009.
Spread Trading UK 14-15 January 2009, updated 15-Jan-09
It was the banking sector that topped the losers today; Lloyds TSB dropped by more than 10% with HSBC and...read article: Spread Trading UK 14-15 January 2009.
Spread Betting UK 12-13 January 2009, updated 13-Jan-09
A steady opening on Wall Street has helped to set up something of a small recovery for stock markets. With US markets now showing early signs of stabilising around...read article: Spread Betting UK 12-13 January 2009.
Spread Trading UK 8-9 January 2009, updated 09-Jan-09
There was better than expected news again from the retail sector as Sainsbury reported its best ever Christmas. So far the updates from retailers have been nowhere...read article: Spread Trading UK 8-9 January 2009.
Spread Betting Markets 6-7 January 2009, updated 07-Jan-09
Over the Atlantic, US shares tumbled upon opening following the release of extremely poor job cut figures. The Dow dropped by 171.96 points (1.91%) and the S&P 500...read article: Spread Betting Markets 6-7 January 2009.
UK Spread Trading 23 December - 5 January 2009, updated 05-Jan-09
Focus is going to be firmly on retail stocks in the days to come, as festive sales figures are announced. There were signs of life today in the share prices of Marks and Spencer...read article: UK Spread Trading 23 December - 5 January 2009.
Spread Betting Markets 19-22 December 2008, updated 22-Dec-08
The directionless mood has been mirrored on Wall Street so far, with US stocks opening broadly where they closed on Friday - which could well be the theme for the next couple of...read article: Spread Betting Markets 19-22 December 2008.
UK Spread Trading 17-18 December 2008, updated 18-Dec-08
Despite a buoyant performance by miners, BHP Billiton saw a 5.2% gain, the FTSE eventually succumbed to widespread losses in the financial sector, with HSBC...read article: UK Spread Trading 17-18 December 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 15-16 December 2008, updated 16-Dec-08
Less positively, the calls for oil production to be slashed underline the recessionary tale being told by falling demand, and the International Energy Agency is now predicting the first decline in demand for oil in a quarter of a century. The relatively meagre advances in oil prices also...read article: Spread Betting Markets 15-16 December 2008.
UK Spread Trading 11-12 December 2008, updated 12-Dec-08
Overall the FTSE looks set to finish in positive territory this week, but with little end in sight to the barrage of negative sentiment, and the US...read article: UK Spread Trading 11-12 December 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 9-10 December 2008, updated 10-Dec-08
A strong performance by mining company Rio Tinto helped keep the FTSE on a fairly even keel, and by 4pm the miner's share price was up just over 18% to...read article: Spread Betting Markets 9-10 December 2008.
UK Spread Trading 5-8 December 2008, updated 08-Dec-08
Going into the last few minutes of trading, it has been a day of solid gains in London leaving the FTSE 100 flirting with the...read article: UK Spread Trading 5-8 December 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 3-4 December 2008, updated 04-Dec-08
Initially, today's announcement by the Bank of England that it was cutting the base rate to a 57-year low of 2% sparked a sell-off for share prices, but a steady...read article: Spread Betting Markets 3-4 December 2008.
UK Spread Trading 1-2 December 2008, updated 02-Dec-08
Early morning sentiment was helped by better-than-expected numbers from supermarket giant Tesco. This announcement has kept...read article: UK Spread Trading 1-2 December 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 27-28 November 2008, updated 28-Nov-08
The return of trading in Wall Street after the Thanksgiving holiday seemed to perk the UK up with a strong start propelling the FTSE 100 back towards...read article: Spread Betting Markets 27-28 November 2008.
UK Spread Trading 25-26 November 2008, updated 26-Nov-08
The DAX 30 and the CAC 40 also dropped by 1.27% and 2.23% respectively in the morning session, suggesting there are increasing concerns about...read article: UK Spread Trading 25-26 November 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 21-24 November 2008, updated 24-Nov-08
For now, the huge lift for the FTSE has been heartening for traders following the doom and gloom of recent weeks. We will have...read article: Spread Betting Markets 21-24 November 2008.
UK Spread Trading 19-20 November 2008, updated 20-Nov-08
With the price of oil falling below the psychological $50 a barrel...read article: UK Spread Trading 19-20 November 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 17-18 November 2008, updated 18-Nov-08
The UK's leading index responded to plummeting oil prices in early trading, while struggling miners including Xstrata...read article: Spread Betting Markets 17-18 November 2008.
UK Spread Trading 13-14 November 2008, updated 14-Nov-08
Across the Atlantic, the Dow opened down by 77.81 points or 0.9%. The S&P 500 slipped by...read article: UK Spread Trading 13-14 November 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 11-12 November 2008, updated 12-Nov-08
Today has seen the FTSE 100 slip back to late October levels. After a couple of weeks of calmer trading, the UK index is...read article: Spread Betting Markets 11-12 November 2008.
UK Spread Trading 7-10 November 2008, updated 10-Nov-08
A lower-than-expected start on Wall Street took the fizz out of the FTSE's rockets. Nevertheless both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 were...read article: UK Spread Trading 7-10 November 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 5-6 November 2008, updated 06-Nov-08
The FTSE has failed to respond to the Bank of England's dramatic 150 basis point chop in interest rates today, closing down by 5.7%. The BoE's cut in...read article: Spread Betting Markets 5-6 November 2008.
UK Spread Trading 3-4 November 2008, updated 04-Nov-08
LSE and Kazakhmys led the way, while rate-cut hopes continued to encourage bullish...read article: UK Spread Trading 3-4 November 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 30-31 October 2008, updated 31-Oct-08
However, in a week that has included the FTSE's third-biggest daily rise, the 8.1% jump on Wednesday, the blue-chip index looks like recording...read article: Spread Betting Markets 30-31 October 2008.
UK Spread Trading 28-29 October 2008, updated 29-Oct-08
Indeed it has generally proved a positive day across European markets, with the the CAC 40 7.9% stronger and...read article: UK Spread Trading 28-29 October 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 24-27 October, updated 27-Oct-08
In mid-morning trading, the FTSE 100 index has broken below the earlier lows set in October to trade back to levels not seen since the beginning of April 2003. Coming into today the market was looking weak following...read article: Spread Betting Markets 24-27 October.
UK Spread Trading 22-23 October 2008, updated 23-Oct-08
Sterling has also plunged to five-year lows against the dollar today. It is now down at...read article: UK Spread Trading 22-23 October 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 20-21 October 2008, updated 21-Oct-08
The financial focus today was on the insurance sector with a trading update from Prudential. Prudential and Aviva are interesting ones to...read article: Spread Betting Markets 20-21 October 2008.
US Spread Trading 16-17 October 2008, updated 17-Oct-08
Friday is lining up to be a key day for the markets. Even though the US has been under pressure, we have not yet seen it break below the...read article: US Spread Trading 16-17 October 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 14-15 October 2008, updated 15-Oct-08
The reversal for the FTSE was also fuelled by plunging commodity stocks, with Xstrata leading the fall down...read article: Spread Betting Markets 14-15 October 2008.
UK Spread Trading 10-13 October 2008, updated 13-Oct-08
The big focus early on was the £37 billion injection from the UK government to RBS...read article: UK Spread Trading 10-13 October 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 8-9 October 2008, updated 09-Oct-08
For the FTSE 100, the 4200 mark is really going to be the decider over the days to come. If we see the market break below Wednesday's low it does suggest that...read article: Spread Betting Markets 8-9 October 2008.
UK Spread Trading 6-7 October 2008, updated 07-Oct-08
As we head for the close, banks are still feeling the pressure with RBS down by around 30% and most of the rest also off by double...read article: UK Spread Trading 6-7 October 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 2-3 October 2008, updated 03-Oct-08
This number ended up much worse than expected but after an initial wobble, US indices have found some strength, helping to give...read article: Spread Betting Markets 2-3 October 2008.
UK Spread Trading 1 October 2008, updated 01-Oct-08
The FTSE has also received a shot in the arm thanks to a 25% hike in HBOS' shares, after...read article: UK Spread Trading 1 October 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 26-29 September 2008, updated 29-Sep-08
Rather than calming the nerves of investors, this has stoked worries that there could me more casualties of the crunch. The share prices of HBOS, Lloyds TSB and RBS are all nursing double digits percentage losses...read article: Spread Betting Markets 26-29 September 2008.
UK Spread Trading 24-25 September 2008, updated 25-Sep-08
The UK's leading index skidded once again in morning trading thanks largely to a fall in oil prices, despite gains for financials. Insurance firms Royal & Sun Alliance and...read article: UK Spread Trading 24-25 September 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 22-23 September 2008, updated 23-Sep-08
After last week's euphoria following the $700 billion bail out plan announced by the Federal Reserve, markets have been unnerved by some of the dissention voiced over recent days and the lack of further details. This weighed on US markets...read article: Spread Betting Markets 22-23 September 2008.
UK Spread Trading 18-19 September 2008, updated 19-Sep-08
The FTSE rose 1.7% this morning as the recently rescued HBOS led the way with a 44% increase. Other European indices including the CAC...read article: UK Spread Trading 18-19 September 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 16-17 September 2008, updated 17-Sep-08
The UK's blue-chip index dropped then rallied sharply this morning as HBOS' share price plummeted more than 50%, before news of merger talks with rival Lloyds TSB...read article: Spread Betting Markets 16-17 September 2008.
UK Spread Trading 12-15 September 2008, updated 15-Sep-08
Monday's trading in London was always going to be ugly. Not surprisingly financials were hardest hit with HBOS off by more than 30% at...read article: UK Spread Trading 12-15 September 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 10-11 September 2008, updated 11-Sep-08
But this did not translate into a good performance for the share price of Morrisons with a slide of around 6% on the day - and other retailers such as Kingfisher and Sainsbury also weighed on the...read article: Spread Betting Markets 10-11 September 2008.
UK Spread Trading 8-9 September 2008, updated 09-Sep-08
With commodity prices continuing to unwind, and with so many constituents on the UK index this could well be the driving force over the weeks to come. Stocks such as Kazakhmys and Xstrata are hitting fresh lows...read article: UK Spread Trading 8-9 September 2008.
UK Spread Trading Markets 4-5 September 2008, updated 05-Sep-08
Commodity prices continue to do London no favours. With the price of copper at seven-month lows, the mining sector once...read article: UK Spread Trading Markets 4-5 September 2008.
UK Spread Trading 2-3 September 2008, updated 03-Sep-08
By lunch time the FTSE 100 had slipped below the 5500 level to trade at its lowest point for a week. Very few of the blue chip stocks managed to dodge todays drop with mining stocks once again a...read article: UK Spread Trading 2-3 September 2008.
Spread Betting UK 29 Aug - 1 Sep 2008, updated 01-Sep-08
Mining and oil stocks have weighed on the market for most of the day and going into the UK close crude has slipped to its lowest level since...read article: Spread Betting UK 29 Aug - 1 Sep 2008.
UK Spread Trading 27-28 August 2008, updated 28-Aug-08
The 5600 level on the FTSE is considered by many traders to be a crunch point for the UK market. We have seen a few rallies back into this zone during the summer and it has resulted in the sellers coming back out and share prices...read article: UK Spread Trading 27-28 August 2008.
Spread Betting UK 22-26 August 2008, updated 26-Aug-08
Over the past week, the 5360 mark has helped prop up the FTSE 100 and with a similar technical pattern for US indices, some traders feel that the next few days could well see a continued...read article: Spread Betting UK 22-26 August 2008.
UK Spread Trading 20-21 August 2008, updated 21-Aug-08
In the FTSE 250, investors were cheered by news that sales had not worsened in Persimmons half-year results, with strong gains for the housebuilder along with...read article: UK Spread Trading 20-21 August 2008.
Spread Betting UK 18-19 August 2008, updated 19-Aug-08
Investors were cautiously upbeat in the morning session, buying mining shares but offloading travel stocks, with British Airways and cruise ship firm Carnival among those suffering. And, despite...read article: Spread Betting UK 18-19 August 2008.
UK FTSE 100 Comment 14-15 August 2008, updated 15-Aug-08
Weaker metal and oil prices tore at the value of eight heavyweight miners, with Kazakhmys dropping 6% and Antofagasta down...read article: UK FTSE 100 Comment 14-15 August 2008.
UK Spread Trading 12-13 August 2008, updated 13-Aug-08
Kings indication that rate cuts were not on the agenda any time soon cost Barclays, Lloyds TSB, HBOS and Standard Chartered, which all fell...read article: UK Spread Trading 12-13 August 2008.
Spread Betting UK 8-11 August 2008, updated 11-Aug-08
Meanwhile, housebuilders in the FTSE 250 rose on the back of positive noises from Goldman Sachs, which claimed investors could benefit if share prices came into line with companies assets. Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon were all...read article: Spread Betting UK 8-11 August 2008.
UK Spread Trading 6-7 August 2008, updated 07-Aug-08
Todays focus was on Barclays as the bank reported first half profits down by about a third compared to the same time last year. It is a sign of the new found positive sentiment surrounding banking at the moment that this was...read article: UK Spread Trading 6-7 August 2008.
Spread Betting UK 4-5 August 2008, updated 05-Aug-08
With the price of oil still weak, and with a retest of the $100 mark not looking out of the question, it could set up something of a tug of war for the index over the next few weeks. A lower oil price is of course...read article: Spread Betting UK 4-5 August 2008.
Spread Betting News 1 Aug 2008, updated 01-Aug-08
Todays drag has been the mining stocks, with 5% falls from the likes of Rio Tinto and Xstrata weighing on the index and offsetting smaller gains in banking and retail. Mining has historically helped to prop...read article: Spread Betting News 1 Aug 2008.
Spread Trader News 29-30 July 2008, updated 30-Jul-08
After Tuesdays strong performance in the USA, the FTSE was always going to open higher and not even downbeat news from banking and...read article: Spread Trader News 29-30 July 2008.
Spread Bettor News 25-28 July 2008, updated 28-Jul-08
The markets do seem to be somewhat becalmed at the moment, maybe a welcome break from some of the volatility experienced earlier this month. For the FTSE 100 traders still view the 5275/5300 area as the big support for...read article: Spread Bettor News 25-28 July 2008.
Spread Trader News 23-24 July 2008, updated 24-Jul-08
The stock market has been under pressure for most of the day with any short rallies proving to be unsustainable. Mining and oil stocks have been particularly hard hit, with commodities continuing the...read article: Spread Trader News 23-24 July 2008.
Spread Bettor News 21-22 July 2008, updated 22-Jul-08
London was expected to open lower on Tuesday morning after poor numbers from American Express disappointed US investors after the close on Monday, but a surprisingly downbeat update by Vodafone added to the negative sentiment first thing. The telecoms company, seldom the most exciting stock in...read article: Spread Bettor News 21-22 July 2008.
Spread Trader News 17-18 July 2008, updated 18-Jul-08
The bounce back has continued today, with another strong performance by the banking sector helping to keep sentiment positive. Once again RBS and Barclays have managed to notch up gains in excess of 8% so far, helping to offset...read article: Spread Trader News 17-18 July 2008.
Spread Bettor News 15-16 July 2008, updated 16-Jul-08
Wednesday morning saw the FTSE index slip back below 5100 to trade at its lowest levels in more than three years. Once again it was the banking sector doing the damage with RBS and HBOS both registering double digit percentage losses in early trading. However, so far the afternoon is showing a turnaround as maybe traders started eyeing the 5,000 mark as...read article: Spread Bettor News 15-16 July 2008.
Spread Trader News 11-14 July 2008, updated 14-Jul-08
After the weekend news surrounding the rescue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the USA the market was always primed to open up this morning. In addition, the takeover bid by Santander for Alliance & Leicester didn't do any harm and with speculation of a potential suitor for ITV it was a little bit like the good old days of the bull market with...read article: Spread Trader News 11-14 July 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 9-10 July 2008, updated 10-Jul-08
It was always going to be a weak start to trading with significant falls on Wall Street on Wednesday taking their toll right from the open. The UK market managed to rally by lunch time but a weaker start again to the...read article: Spread Betting Markets 9-10 July 2008.
Spread Trading 7-8 July 2008, updated 07-Jul-08
Much has been made of the fact that with the FTSE 20% below its highs, it is now an 'official' bear market. But a look at the broader indices, such as the FTSE 250 which is already back to levels not seen since 2005, probably gives a...read article: Spread Trading 7-8 July 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 3-4 July 2008, updated 04-Jul-08
So far the FTSE has shed almost 16% already this year, and with thin-skinned banks ever susceptible to negative sentiment, it is not unimaginable to see real test of the years lows in the 5300 region moving into next week. The banking sector seems as risky as ever, with investors only too happy to...read article: Spread Betting Markets 3-4 July 2008.
Spread Betting 1-2 July 2008, updated 02-Jul-08
Tuesday saw the Dow Jones index briefly slip to fresh lows for the year, the broader US index the S&P 500 and our own FTSE continue to hold for now above the 2008 lows. With US unemployment...read article: Spread Betting 1-2 July 2008.
FTSE Spread Betting 27-30 June 2008, updated 30-Jun-08
Takeover talks in the mining and telecoms sectors helped propel the FTSE to 5568 by lunchtime, with higher metal prices and rumours in the FT that Lakshmi Mittal could be entering the takeover battle for Rio Tinto adding 2.3% to Rio Tinto and 1.6% to rival BHP Billiton. Other heavyweights including...read article: FTSE Spread Betting 27-30 June 2008.
Spread Betting 25-26 June 2008, updated 26-Jun-08
Financials have played a significant part in todays rally, with Barclays confirming plans to boost its balance sheet being well received. This helped sector peers RBS and HBOS notch up gains in excess of 5% on the day so far. Some traders have viewed the positive reaction as...read article: Spread Betting 25-26 June 2008.
Spread Trading Markets 23-24 June 2008, updated 24-Jun-08
With the onslaught of poor economic news that has flowed steadily over the past few weeks it is maybe not too surprising that for June so far, the FTSE is a good 400 points lower than where we started. At the moment rallies are proving...read article: Spread Trading Markets 23-24 June 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 19-20 June 2008, updated 20-Jun-08
HBOS was among the worst hit in the banking sector thanks to several earnings downgrades from brokers including Panmure Gordon. HBOS rivals followed suit, dragging the FTSE down, while rising...read article: Spread Betting Markets 19-20 June 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 17-18 June 2008, updated 18-Jun-08
Property stocks once again were amongst the days biggest losers with Persimmon off by 8% so far. In the first hour or so of trading, the Dow Jones has continued yesterdays weakness. Slipping back to levels not seen in almost three months. All this means that the FTSE 100 is almost back to...read article: Spread Betting Markets 17-18 June 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 13-16 June 2008, updated 16-Jun-08
The big news today was confirmation from Barclays that it is considering selling new shares in a fund raising exercise...but at a level above the current quoted price. This saw the shares up by more than 10% in...read article: Spread Betting Markets 13-16 June 2008.
Spread Betting Markets 11-12 June 2008, updated 12-Jun-08
Banking led the way for London today with the likes of RBS and HBOS up by more than 7% so far. There seemed to be little fundamental news flow behind the banking rally. For now, traders seem to be viewing it as a long overdue, oversold rally. Although banks...read article: Spread Betting Markets 11-12 June 2008.
Spread Trade UK 9 Jun 10 Jun 2008, updated 10-Jun-08
House builder Persimmon was the stand out loser, off by more than 9% so far and trading at a level that has seen its share price halve for this year alone. Like many of its sector peers, the share price of Persimmon has been in decline since early 2007 so has been something of a leading indicator for the weakness in UK property prices. On this basis, many would assume that...read article: Spread Trade UK 9 Jun 10 Jun 2008.
Spread Bet 5 Jun 6 Jun 2008, updated 06-Jun-08
Going into the last few minutes of trading the FTSE 100 is pushing to new lows for the day. It has been a volatile day of trading for the UK market with the index up by around 80 points in the morning and then down by the same amount this afternoon. The damage was done by the...read article: Spread Bet 5 Jun 6 Jun 2008.
Spread Betting 3 Jun 4 Jun 2008, updated 04-Jun-08
After yesterdays weakness throughout the banking sector, sparked by the Bradford and Bingley announcement, its maybe something of a surprise that a bank tops the blue-chip gainers for the day; with RBS up by around 7% so far. There are a few...read article: Spread Betting 3 Jun 4 Jun 2008.
Spread Betting 30 May 2 Jun 2008, updated 02-Jun-08
The announcement from Bradford and Bingley of a profit warning, the departure of its chief exec on health grounds and a revised rights issue put pressure on financial blue chips with HBOS down by around 8% and Alliance & Leicester off...read article: Spread Betting 30 May 2 Jun 2008.
Spread Trading 28 May 29 May 2008, updated 29-May-08
A few days ago traders were calling the end of budget airlines, but if this mornings nosedive in oil futures is repeated in coming days there is a possibility of a few red faces. News of Easyjets Andrew Harrison buying £0.5million...read article: Spread Trading 28 May 29 May 2008.
Spread Betting 23 27 May 2008, updated 27-May-08
The wholesale weakness in the mining sector, with the likes of Rio Tinto and Anglo American off by more than 3%, has taken its toll on the index. The slides seen in...read article: Spread Betting 23 27 May 2008.
Spread Trading 21 22 May 2008, updated 22-May-08
It is indicative of the sort of day it has been that the normally sedate mobile telecoms giant Vodafone has managed to make it to the top of the blue chip gainers list for the day, with a rise for the share price above 3%. This was on the back of news...read article: Spread Trading 21 22 May 2008.
UK Financial Markets May 2008, updated 20-May-08
Today saw the UK market weak from the open with company data doing little for early sentiment. Imperial Tobacco revealed lower than expected first half sales and better than expected Marks and Spencer results were outweighed by a downbeat outlook from the retailer. The mining sector was...read article: UK Financial Markets May 2008.
Spread Trading May 2008, updated 16-May-08
After a couple of weeks of inconclusive sideways trading, the FTSE 100 rocketed out of the starting gate on Friday morning to blitz through the 6300 level and trade at its highest since 8 January. The news flow was all...read article: Spread Trading May 2008.
Spread Betting on Banks May, updated 14-May-08
While this view can hardly be described as a shock for financial markets it did little to improve sentiment, on a morning where Bradford and Bingley executed a U-turn and announced it would be launching a rights issue. Following Tuesdays additional write downs by Alliance & Leicester, this news weighed...read article: Spread Betting on Banks May.
Spread Trading HSBC May, updated 12-May-08
HSBC was todays bank in the spotlight, with first quarter profits coming in higher than the same period last year. The bank did announce credit-crunch related write-downs but with these coming in lower than initially expected, the share price has...read article: Spread Trading HSBC May.
Spread Trading US Markets May, updated 08-May-08
Wall Street shuddered a little on the news, along with concerns over crude oil prices and consumer spending, with the Dow Jones opening lower as traders considered the Feds plans to curb inflation. However...read article: Spread Trading US Markets May.
Spread Betting on UK Markets May, updated 06-May-08
A trading update from Lloyds TSB said that performance so far in 2008 was as expected but it was making a bigger than forecast write down of £387 million. The biggest gainer on the day so far has been Tullow Oil with news of...read article: Spread Betting on UK Markets May.
Spread Trading B&Q, updated 01-May-08
Going into the final few minutes of trading the FTSE 100 has managed to recover from earlier losses and push back above 6100. The big gainer for the day so far has been Home Retail Group, owner of Argos and B&Q, with the share price up by 9%. The company unveiled full year profits 15% ahead of...read article: Spread Trading B&Q.
Spread Betting on Oil Companies, updated 29-Apr-08
Better than expected first quarter results from oil giants BP and Shell provided a boost to London in early trade, with both ending the day with gains in excess of 5%. The morning also saw HBOS confirm recent speculation...read article: Spread Betting on Oil Companies.
Spread Trading Banks April, updated 25-Apr-08
Banking was once again a the forefront with speculation of the 'will they or wont they' variety surrounding HBOS and a rights issue. Plenty of people thought last weeks announcement by RBS could mean that...read article: Spread Trading Banks April.
RBS Spread Trading April, updated 23-Apr-08
RBS confirmed recent speculation, by announcing that a £12 billion rights issue will be launched. In addition it also revealed another £5.9 billion of write downs due to the credit crunch. Not surprisingly, the share price has fallen on the day and this has weighed on the...read article: RBS Spread Trading April.
FTSE 100 Spread Trading April, updated 21-Apr-08
The FTSE is determinedly trying to make up yesterdays losses and had shimmied over the 6050 mark by the mid session, up 66 points or 1%. Banks once again led the line. The first-quarter results of a $5.1bn (£2.6bn) loss from Citigroup, the worlds largest bank, were not as bad as expected. That gave hope to...read article: FTSE 100 Spread Trading April.
Spread Betting on American Shares April, updated 17-Apr-08
Disappointing first quarter results from US investment bank Merrill Lynch in particular, along with Pfizer and Nokia, sharply reversed the earlier gains at lunchtime as the markets suffered yet another body blow. The FTSE 100 slipped just over...read article: Spread Betting on American Shares April.
Wall Street Spread Trading April, updated 15-Apr-08
US consumer giant Johnson and Johnson revealed better than expected first quarter earnings which all helped to feed Wall Streets initial bullish mood. The move back above 5900 is a positive one for the FTSE 100 but with still a...read article: Wall Street Spread Trading April.
Dow Jones Spread Betting April, updated 11-Apr-08
The last few weeks have seen the FTSE 100 slightly outperform the US indices in the rally we have seen since mid-March. It had been holding up well in the face of drops in the Dow 30 this week. Many will still consider the...read article: Dow Jones Spread Betting April.
Spread Betting on UK Markets April, updated 09-Apr-08
The FTSE 100 fell some 23 points at this mornings opening, touching a low of 5947, as the City considered the gloomy IMF forecast for UK economic prospects. The FTSE then proceeded to march upwards until mid-morning when UK banks pulled the blue-chip index back...read article: Spread Betting on UK Markets April.
UK Market Spreads April News, updated 07-Apr-08
Going into the last half hour of trading, it is another positive day for the UK market with the FTSE 100 testing the 6000 mark. It has been another day of steady progress for the London market with the UK index rarely looking weak and trading off the highs set this afternoon, just above 6000. Stronger metal prices and...read article: UK Market Spreads April News.
UK Market Spreads April Comments, updated 03-Apr-08
So far this week though, the FTSE 100 has managed to weather any short term weakness in the USA. If it does manage a positive finish on Friday it would leave many investors feeling much more...read article: UK Market Spreads April Comments.
Spread Betting on UK Futures March, updated 01-Apr-08
Retailer Kingfisher, which only last week halved its dividend, has been one of the main blue chip risers for the day, although there is still some scepticism as to how sustainable this recovery can be in light of the company's relatively muted...read article: Spread Betting on UK Futures March.
Spread Trading UK Markets March, updated 28-Mar-08
Early gains for the FTSE 100 proved unsustainable - the index did manage to push out towards the 5750 area, a level not seen for a good couple of weeks but the market has since spent most of the day in decline. Property stocks have been the...read article: Spread Trading UK Markets March.
Spread Betting on UK Markets March News, updated 26-Mar-08
Compared to some of the ranges seen recently, today has been something of a non-event for the UK stock market with the FTSE 100 trading in a very tight range of around 40 points so far. The big news on the day has been Bank of England Governor, Mr. Mervyn King's, appearance before the...read article: Spread Betting on UK Markets March News.
Spread Betting on UK Markets March, updated 20-Mar-08
In terms of volatility, today has been much quieter than what we have been used to recently. Rentokil has been the big mover to the upside as news of a major management shakeup has been well received by...read article: Spread Betting on UK Markets March.
UK Market Spread Betting March Update, updated 18-Mar-08
Of course the next major event for the markets happens after the UK close. All eyes are on the USA and tonights interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve. Expectations are for a cut, the only dispute is over the...read article: UK Market Spread Betting March Update.
UK Market Spreads March News, updated 14-Mar-08
All the FTSEs good work this morning, following yesterdays drop of 1.5%, has been unraveled as the market turned flat over midday then plunged around 1% in line with each of the major indexes - with the Dow Jones dropping around 150 points. It was the announcement that the future of...read article: UK Market Spreads March News.
UK Market Spreads March Comments, updated 12-Mar-08
After the initial early gains as the markets played catch up with last nights strong New York trading it is fair to say it has been something of a quieter day for stocks. The UK Budget announcement is doing little to add excitement. The mining sector saw...read article: UK Market Spreads March Comments.
Comments on the UK Spread Betting Market, updated 10-Mar-08
Compared with the recent volatility we have seen, today has been a relatively quiet one with a brief rally through 5700 running out of steam. Individual company news was thin on the ground, weakness in the mining sector weighed on the index with the likes of BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Antofagasta all off...read article: Comments on the UK Spread Betting Market.
Spread Trading on UK Markets, updated 06-Mar-08
The non-event of today was of course the decision from the Bank of England with *no change* widely predicted and interest rates staying at 5.25%. The European Central Bank also followed suit leaving its rates unchanged. Central banks on this side of the pond at least remain...read article: Spread Trading on UK Markets.
Spread Betting on UK Markets, updated 04-Mar-08
Going into the final half hour of trading the FTSE remains weak, trading near session lows. The market has been on the back foot for most of the day with a brief rally evaporating by 9am. The biggest casualty has been insurer Admiral Group. Although...read article: Spread Betting on UK Markets.
UK Spread Betting Comment, updated 29-Feb-08
The market has been in decline for most of the session with weakness in the US overnight weighing on shares from the open. Weaker mortgage approval data out today added to the uncertainty for the UK housing market. That has, once again, put the banking sector on the back foot which in turn has dragged the FTSE 100...read article: UK Spread Betting Comment.
UK Spread Trading Markets, updated 27-Feb-08
Going into the final half hour of trading the FTSE is in the red by around 10 points, after spending most of the day in decline. It has been the banking sector that has contributed to the FTSEs strength over the last couple of days, so a bad day for this sector has dragged the index down. The main culprit has been HBOS with full year results coming in slightly...read article: UK Spread Trading Markets.
UK Spread Betting Markets, updated 25-Feb-08
The main reasons behind todays rise came out when the market was closed. First of all, on Friday, there was an impressive rally in the final hour of US trading on hopes of a rescue for bond insurer Ambac. In addition, weekend UK press speculation about possible...read article: UK Spread Betting Markets.
UK Market Trading News, updated 22-Feb-08
The banking sector remained in focus with numbers from Lloyds TSB well received by the market and pushing the share price up by around 5% so far. Alliance and Leicester also had a rare good day topping the...read article: UK Market Trading News.
UK Market Spread Betting, updated 19-Feb-08
It has been another good day for the UK market with the FTSE up by around 40 points going into the final hour of trading. Early weakness in the shares weighed on the FTSE but a positive conference call helped turn this around with the share price up by around 5% on the day so far. Banking remains...read article: UK Market Spread Betting.
UK Market Trading News Index, updated 23-May-12
Index of UK financial market trading articles - the regular closing market comments from IG Index...read article: UK Market Trading News Index.
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