Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the last of the "big four" banks, RBS, reported its half year results and a return to profit this morning.
Shares in RBS were up in morning trading on the FTSE 100 after the group reported a return to profit in the first half of 2010.
Linux is being pushed as an alternative to Windows XP in the Government's hard push towards spending cuts in the public sector, ie. Government offices. However is the idea a response to the BP which saw thousands of British shareholders and pensioners lose their lifetime savings.
Shares in RBS were down slightly on the FTSE 100 ahead of the part-nationalised bank's first half results, due out tomorrow.
Shares in Rio Tinto were up in afternoon trading on the FTSE 100 after the mining giant more than doubled its earnings and cut its net debt in the first half of the year.
Tesco are reportedly listed as a possible buyer for Egg, the online financial services provider which was put up for sale by Citigroup.
Shares in Randgold Resources fell on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading, despite the mining firm reporting a rise in quarterly and half year profit today.
The Bank of England has held interest rates in a widely expected move for the seventeenth consecutive month as spare capacity in the recovery is expected to bring inflation down.
Shares in defence company Cobham were down in morning trading on the FTSE 100 after the group reported a slight rise in pre-tax profit in the half year ended 30 June.
Shares in Aviva were on the FTSE 100 after the insurance giant reported a rise in pre-tax profit of 21 per cent in the first half of the year.
Unilever, the consumer goods giant and,maker of Dove soap and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream has outperformed itself after improving margins and sales up by 3.8 pct.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) has reported a 13.2 pct drop in new car sales following 12 monthly successive rises, saying that 'it was expected' after scrappage fuelled months across the last year and a half."
Shares in part nationalised banks Lloyds Banking Group and RBS were up in morning trading on the FTSE 100, while Barclays and HSBC declined.
Shares in Barclays were down in morning trading on the FTSE 100 despite the group reporting a rise in pre-tax profit of 44 per cent to £3.9 billion in the half year ended 30 June.
Shares in Barclays were down on the FTSE 100 ahead of the banking giant's first half results, which are due out tomorrow and are expected to show an increase in profits.
Bank of England policymakers greeted the upcoming interest rate meeting with a view that rates will need to rise sooner than expected as economists show that the recovery has faltered.
Lloyds share price is to close up after a bumper return to profits lifted its share price above 74 p.
British Land have fallen on the FTSE 100 today after first quarter performance was judged decidedly average by investors.
ITV, who announced ad revenues up 18 pct yesterday, are moving towards pay-TV according to new chief executive Adam Crozier - who is following News Corp in erecting a pay-wall over how its users interact with its online services.
Shares in Next plunged over seven per cent on the FTSE 100 after the retailer reported a rise in sales at the lower end of previous guidance and warned of tough times ahead as the government prepares to raise taxes and cut spending.
BP shares stopped their early declines on the FTSE 100 today after it was announced that BP has successfully prevented the oil well from leaking, around three months and five million barrels of oil after the explosion which ruptured the Macondo well, and sent oil streaming into the Gulf of Mexico.
Shares in Standard Chartered were down in morning trading on the FTSE 100 despite reporting a rise in pre-tax profit of 10 per cent in the half year ended 30 June 2010.
Shares in Lloyds Banking Group were up in morning trading on the FTSE 100 after the part-nationalised bank reported a bumper return to profit in the first half of the year.
Shares in BP rose on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading following the oil giant's announcement that it had agreed to sell its oil and gas production and transportation business in Colombia, the BP Exploration Company (Columbia) (BPXC).
Santander UK has successfully become the sole provider of Aviva life protection products after the two agreed a five year plan to sell insurance products via the company's 1,300 branches and telephone banking network.
Shares in Lloyds Banking Group were down on the FTSE 100 ahead of its half year results, due out tomorrow.
The rising pound has showed no sign of abating after reaching a near-term high whilst construction failed to 'hold-up' as much as expected.
Shares in Xstrata were up on the FTSE 100 after the Swiss mining company said it had doubled its operating profit in the half year ended 30 June.
The changeover in Marks & Spencer's executive team has finally been completed today with the news Ian Dyson is to be replaced by former Wh Smith finance director, Alan Stewart.
Shares in ITV fell on the FTSE 250 in morning trading despite the broadcaster reporting a rise in net advertising revenue of 18 per cent.
