Financial News

According to share registration business, Capita Registrars, this is the first time private investors have increased their holdings following three successive periods over the last six months in which they sold a net £9.9bn of their shares. And investors in Yorkshire were the most "aggressive" buyers, according to the firm.John Roundhill, director of Capita Registrars, commented: "Private investor ...

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AFX) - The third-largest shareholder of Wheeling Pittsburgh Corp. said Friday it will support Esmark Inc. and help elect a new board of directors that aims to pull off a hostile takeover. Tontine Management LLC and its affiliates, which control 9.5 percent of Wheeling-Pitt's stock, sent a letter to the West Virginia steelmaker saying the latest offer from Esmark promises " ...

US oil company Chevron has announced a 40% rise in third-quarter profit, thanks to record oil prices and its takeover of rival Unocal in 2005. Net profit hit $5bn (£2.65bn), up from $3.6bn a year ago when it had to shut a refinery after Hurricane Katrina. Oil prices peaked in July and averaged more than $70 a barrel in the quarter. Energy giants Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips, BP and Shell have beaten third-quarter forecasts with combined profits of $33bn this week. Chevron has u ...

LONDON (AFX) - UK investment bank Collins Stewart Tullett PLC announced acquisitions worth up to 200 mln stg aimed at strengthening its stockbroking and interdealer broking divisions before the two units are demerged later this year. The bank said it had agreed to buy privately-owned corporate advisory firm Hawkpoint Partners in an effort to expand the range of services offered by its stockbrokin ...

LONDON (AFX) - Leading shares slipped into the red in midmorning deals, with disappointing numbers from WPP and further pharmaceutical induced headaches sending the FTSE 100 into reverse, dealers said. By 10.15 am, the FTSE 100 index was down 14.5 points at 6,170.3, slipping back from its opening high of 6,206.0. The broader indices were also lower, although the FTSE Small Caps clung on to posit ...

(Updating with full report) LONDON (AFX) - London shares were slightly higher in early deals, encouraged by another record-breaking performance on Wall Street last night, while further strength across miners and telecoms offset a disappointing Q3 statement from WPP, dealers said. By 9.05 am, the FTSE 100 index was up 9.6 points at 6,194.4, while the broader indices were also higher. Early volum ...

James Rossiter, Evening Standard27 October 2006 The Alternative Investment Market market is suffering from 'some indigestion' after a slew of small company flotations. WANT TO KNOW MORE? DATA: Aim stocks NEW ISSUES: The latest companies to float DATA: Evolution's share price OTHER STORIES Green at heart of Everton battle Market report: Friday latest Market report: Yesterday's  ...

This is Money27 October 2006 Leading shares are expected to open slightly higher today, with a record-breaking performance on Wall Street last night encouraging dealers WANT TO KNOW MORE? MARKET REPORT: Yesterday's trading TIPS & TACTICS: Share tips READER SERVICE: Company reports OTHER STORIES Plug pulled on top home loans City pay soars by 21% Green at heart of Everton b ...

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Share prices ended lower as investors sold resource and energy stocks following the overnight fall in base metal and oil prices, dealers said. They said market sentiment failed to be boosted by the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at its fourth consecutive record high overnight, while profit taking weighed on the local market following Thursday's record highs. The S&P ...

The bank, which is owned by Spain's Banco Santander Central Hispano, reported net profits of 743 million euros (£499m) in the nine months to September 30.Santander banked net profits of 4.8 billion euros (£3.2 bn) – a 28 per cent rise – which it said was due to cost-cutting at Abbey and lending revenues from Latin America.The Spanish firm has cut 5,800 jobs since its £9bn takeover of Abbey two yea ...