Shares News

LONDON (AFX) - Barclays PLC, the UK's third-biggest bank, said it is to pay 144 mln usd to settle litigation arising out of the collapse of US energy trading firm Enron five years ago. Under the settlement, Enron will allow claims from Barclays totalling 310 mln usd. The bank said that it had denied any wrongdoing or liability in reaching the settlement. Barclays shares were up 1-1/2 pence at 70 ...

LONDON (Dow Jones) -- German insurance and banking group Allianz produced a quarterly profit on Friday that exceeded expectations after a strong performance from its non-life operations, and raised its guidance for 2006. Munich-headquartered Allianz (AZ) said third-quarter net income rose to 1.6 billion euros ($2 billion), from 794 million euros a year earlier, boosted by a gain of 300 million eu ...

LONDON (AFX) - US blue chips are expected to open slightly higher today, with the DJIA seen rallying after five down sessions -- the index's longest losing streak for over a year -- although everything will depend on the always volatile US jobs numbers for October, due out ahead of the open, dealers said. Spread bettors IG Index are calling the DJIA to open around at 3 points firmer at 12,021, wi ...

AMSTERDAM (AFX) - Share prices were up midday on higher US futures, and further boosted by strong oils, dealers said. At 1.01 pm, the AEX index was up 0.58 pct or 2.83 points at 486.87, after opening at a low of 484.63 and reaching a high of 487.55. Government bonds traded flat to mixed, while the euro stood at 1.2776 usd, unchanged from late yesterday. Shares opened only slightly higher on ove ...

FRANKFURT (AFX) - German shares recovered from initial losses in quiet early afternoon trade ahead of today's closely-watched US non-farm payroll data, boosted by a strong showing from heavily-traded Commerzbank following a reassuring earnings update, dealers said. At 1.00 pm, the DAX 30 was 17.6 points, or 0.28 pct, higher at 6,240.88, while the MDAX was up 10 points, or 0.11 pct, at 8,684.18. T ...

LONDON (AFX) - Leading shares slipped back to breakeven at midday as investors cautiously awaited key non-farm payrolls data from the US, with Wall Street futures little changed ahead of the report, while the UK's Gallaher was among the top risers on vague takeover talk, dealers said. At 11.55 pm, the FTSE 100 index was 1.9 points firmer at 6,147.4, but off a low of 6,143.8, while the broader ind ...

(updates with comment on high loan losses) FRANKFURT (AFX) - Commerzbank AG Chief Financial Officer Eric Strutz signalled that the bank will raise its full-year dividend to the 0.70-0.75 eur per share range anticipated by the market, from the 0.50 eur paid on 2005. "The analysts expect an increase to 70-75 cents. And we do not want to disappoint them," Strutz told a telephone conferenc ...

SHARES in Altrincham-based shopfitting firm Styles & Wood are expected to begin trading on the stock market next week in a move which will value the company at £96.7m. Styles & Wood confirmed its float plans as it forecast sales of £264m for 2006, up from £170.7m last year. Pre-tax profits are expected to come in at £10.8m against £5.9m. At the end of July, the company had a projected or ...

LONDON (AFX) - Leading shares turned higher in volatile midmorning deals, boosted by well received numbers from BSkyB and rehashed M&A talk surrounding tobaccos, but gains were capped ahead of key US jobs data later today, dealers said. At 10.06 am, the FTSE 100 index was 5.8 points firmer at 6,155.1, off a low of 6,143.8, in contrast with the wider negative market. Volume was average with 3 ...

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Share prices closed higher as gains in index heavyweight China Mobile and property stocks led the benchmark index to a fresh record after a seesaw session, dealers said. China Mobile extended its gains on liquidity-driven buying while property stocks played catch-up after lagging the market's recent rally. The Hang Seng Index closed up 34.91 points or 0.19 pct at a new all ...