News

Blue Index News and Press Releases. Please visit this page often for regular updates regarding Blue Index as an organisation.

Sentiment changes on Alliance & Leicester bid news

After the panicky conditions of last week, the FTSE 100 index roared ahead after major news from the bank sector. Shares in Alliance & Leicester rose by over 50% mid-morning after it announced a possible bid worth 317p including an expected interim dividend.

Shares in London edge ahead but without conviction

Yesterday’s M&A news in the US took some of the selling pressure off equities, but it is not at all clear that the downtrend is over for now. Early on there was buying in London, but this has again petered out to leave the FTSE 100 index up around 30 points.

US falls spill over into a weak London market

Yesterday’s rally on the FTSE 100 index was short lived as the sharp drops seen in US financial stocks led to a 100 point fall in London this morning. Many of the beaten down stocks that had staged good moves were again hit hard, but the rise in volatility does suggest a potential trend change sooner than later.

Volatility picks up as financials are hit hard again

4th July – Footsie runs into sellers again as market volumes decline The FTSE 100 index again ran into selling today as the focus remained on the beaten down stocks for which there was little respite, but volumes were low given the day off in the US. Bradford & Bingley fell again as leading shareholders had to step in and rescue its £400m fund raising after US private equity group Texas Pacific walked away. Marks & Spencer was also weak again on worries over its trading this year. Goldman Sachs yesterday cut its rating on Marks to "neutral" from "buy" after it reported a fall in Q1 like-for-like sales, and we are happy to remain short here with a 30% profit so far on our latest recommendation.