Nick Fletcher

Banks move higher as FTSE gains ground ahead of US Federal Reserve meeting

guardian.co.uk — Banks were better but miners missed out as leading shares moved higher ahead of Wednesday's US Federal Reserve meeting. The FTSE 100 finished 43.72 points higher at 6374.21 as investors awaited comments from Fed chairman Ben Bernanke which they hoped would clarify its intentions regarding its $85bn a month bond buying programme.

SDL loses a third of its value after software group issues profit warning

guardian.co.uk — One of the day's biggest fallers is software company SDL, down around a third after a profit warning. But analysts said the slump could leave it vulnerable to a takeover. SDL, which sells licences for translation software as well as consulting and language services, said full year profits would be between £15m and £20m due to slowing sales.

Federal Reserve hopes and talk of Chinese central bank easing help lift FTSE 100

guardian.co.uk — Central banks are in the spotlight once more, as investors optimistically hope for clarity from the US Federal Reserve about future plans for its bond buying programme. On top of that, came talk that China may ease its policy by cutting the reserve requirement ratio - the amount of capital banks have to set aside in case of financial trouble - in the next day or so.

FTSE moves higher ahead of Federal Reserve meeting but chip designer Arm misses out

guardian.co.uk — Markets moved higher ahead of this week's US Federal Reserve meeting, but UK chip designers missed out on the rally. dropped 32p to 830p on growing concerns about increased competition from rival Intel, while Imagination Technologies lost 10.7p to 304.7p despite announcing a licensing deal with US semiconductor group Cavium.

Legal & General picks company veteran as new finance director after year long search

guardian.co.uk — Legal and General has unveiled a new finance director after almost a year. Since Nigel Wilson moved from the role to become chief executive, L&G has had an interim finance director in the form of Wadham Downing.

FirstGroup slides as UBS cuts price target amid £615m rights issue

guardian.co.uk — FirstGroup shares have come under pressure as its £615m rights issue continues. It has fallen 3% to 80.8p while its nil paid rights shares are down 31% to 5.75p, prompting City traders to wonder about the success of the issue. Paul Kavanagh at Killik & Co tweeted, "Trading close to 85p rights price.

FTSE 100 sees early gains with defensive stocks in focus

guardian.co.uk — Leading shares have started the week on a positive note, with investors focusing on defensive stocks including consumer goods companies. As the G8 meeting begins in Ireland and ahead of this week's US Federal Reserve meeting, the FTSE 100 has added 37.82 points to 6346.08 in early trading.

FTSE 100 ends another volatile week on a calmer note

guardian.co.uk — A volatile week of failed and new bids, banking resignations and fears that central banks would switch off the money taps supporting the markets ended on a calm note. The FTSE 100 finished at 6308.26, up just 3.63 points on the day but down 103 points since Monday's open.

Compass climbs after positive response to investor day, but FTSE slips back

guardian.co.uk — As markets turn lower following news that the eurozone jobless rate hit a seven year low, Compass is bucking the trend. The catering group has climbed 5.5p to 846p following a positive reaction to its first investor day in five years, with analysts suggesting it could do a £1.5bn buyback over the next three years.

FTSE 100 picks up on central bank hopes but RBS dips again

guardian.co.uk — Leading shares are moving higher as fears that central banks, particularly the US Federal Reserve, were about to turn off the money taps, the key support for markets in recent months. But Royal Bank of Scotland has slipped another 0.2p to 314.8p following Wednesday's surprise news of the resignation of chief executive Stephen Hester amid concerns about political interference.