16 March 2021 | 12:08pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 was back above 6,800 by Tuesday lunchtime as sterling weakness and US stimulus optimism helped lift the index. At midday the index was up 0.9% to 6,809.61.
Bakery chain Greggs rallied 4.7% to £23.15, even as it reported its first loss as public company, but voiced optimism, saying it had made a better-than-expected start to 2021.
Greggs continued to keep its dividend suspended, saying it would need to return to a level of profitability and cash generation sufficient to resume payouts.
Natwest, the bank formally known as Royal Bank of Scotland, slipped 1.1% to 186.5p on confirming that UK authorities had launched criminal proceedings against it over historic allegations of money laundering.
16 March 2021 | 16:36pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 enjoyed a positive day on Tuesday to finish just above 6,800 up 0.8% by the close.
News that European Medicines Energy believes the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh any risks after several European countries suspended its use helped sentiment.
AstraZeneca shares were up 3.5% to £72.20. The company agreed to supply 500,000 additional doses of its Covid-19 vaccine to the US.
AstraZeneca also announced that it had sold its 26.7% stake in Viela Bio, owing to Horizon Therapeutics s acquisition of Viela, for cash proceeds and profit of about $775 million.
The S&P 500 was flat by 4.30pm UK time with tomorrow s meeting of the US Federal Reserve and any potential signal on the pace and direction of interest rates in focus.
12 January 2021 | 16:45pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 was off its lows for the day but still down 0.65% to 6,754.11 by the close as investors fretted about the pandemic.
The S&P 500 was a smidge lower by 4.30pm UK time, trading down 0.78 points at 3,798.72.
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher added 1.8% to 284.6p on announcing that it was comfortable with the top end of current market expectations for its annual pre-tax profit as strong demand continued.
Housebuilder Vistry surrendered earlier gains to trade down 0.2% to 948p, having guided for a full-year profit at the upper end of forecasts and resumption of dividends with a modest final payout.