THE FTSE 100 Index was hit by a second late sell-off to fall to its lowest level of the year yesterday amid fears over the latest bank crackdown from US President Barack Obama.
Looming restrictions on the risk-taking and size of banks led to a sell-off among financial stocks, despite a bumper Pounds 8.3 billion annual replica balenciaga handbags profits from Goldman Sachs.
The Footsie followed its 2 per cent fall with a further 1.6 per cent decline yesterday, losing 85.7 points to 5335.1, as traders also fretted over a bigger-than-expected rise in initial US jobless claims. Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 2 per cent in early trading.
Meanwhile, China's bigger-than-expected 8.7 per cent growth in GDP last year has fuelled fears over a slowdown as policymakers shift towards controlling inflation.
Investors were tempted into more defensive shares amid uncertain trading conditions, while a rally for the dollar sent sterling down to 1.61 against the greenback. Against the euro, the pound held at around 1.15 as worries over Greece's debt position lingered.
United Utilities added 16.5p to 525p - more than 3 per cent - as the company introduced a smaller-than-feared dividend cut in response to a tough settlement from regulator Ofwat.
Severn Trent was also Fendi Replica Handbags on the front foot, adding 20p to 1147p, while International Power was 7.7p dearer at 319.7p despite dispelling takeover talk earlier in the week.
British Airways was the leading Footsie riser after low-cost rival easyJet said key performance measures were either better than last year or ahead of expectations. BA shares rose 7.3p to 209.5p, while in the FTSE 250 Index, easyJet lifted 18.8p to 383.8p.
Among banking stocks, Barclays fell 17.85p to 283p, as its chairman warned of tag heuer replica a "tsunami" of regulatory pressure on the sector. Brokers at Credit Suisse also cut their target price on the stock on Wednesday.
Royal Bank of Scotland was the Footsie's leading faller, off 7 per cent or 2.68p at 35.32p, while Lloyds Banking Group fell 3.2p to 53.3p.
Supermarket chain Morrisons was off 3.5p at 295.3p after sales growth over Christmas surpassed rivals but underwhelmed investors. Rival Tesco fell 4.75p to 420.95p, while Sainsbury's was 1.8p lower at 330p.
Broadcaster BSkyB was virtually unchanged after it lost its challenge at the Court of Appeal over the Government's decision to force it to reduce its 17.9 per cent stake in ITV.
Shares edged 4p lower to 560p after the verdict, with ITV ticking 0.3p up to 58.15p.
Other articles:
http://www.lemeridienboston.com/Tandy-Brands-Accessories-Compl.html
http://www.xtjypx.com/Blog/View/?489
http://www.jainfo.net/Cruel-tricksters-target-pensioners.html
http://www.ejproperties.com/Help-for-women.html
http://www.jabeztv.com/News-Analysis-Whats-behind-U.html