UK traders less distracted than German counterparts during World Cup

England may be famous as the home of football, but when there's a big match on, English stockmarket traders appear to get far less distracted than financial professionals in other countries.

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Appetite for risk as Greece prepares to accept bitter pill

As Greece prepared to swallow the bitter pill prescribed by the troika to secure its bail-out, investors regained their appetite for risk and sent markets to a six-month high.

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FTSE 100: Miners lead markets lower amid Greek uncertainty

Weaker miners led the FTSE 100 slightly into the red on Friday morning, amid continued uncertainty over Greece's austerity plans and weak trade data from China

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Cable & Wireless Communications feels strain from rivals in Panama

An update on plans in Panama sent Cable & Wireless Communications shares tumbling yesterday after the company said its business in the country had been hit by tough competition.

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Talk of a £1.2bn payout warms up Centrica

As an Arctic chill gripped the country, British Gas-owner Centrica warmed up nicely amid suggestions that it could pay a £1.2bn special dividend.

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Nasdaq jumps to 11-year high on surge in US jobs

A surge in hiring in the US economy drove the Nasdaq index to an 11-year high on Friday, as optimism grew that the jobs market is on a steady path to recovery.

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FTSE 100: Oil majors fuel blue-chip rebound

Oil explorers and producers helped to haul the large-caps back into positive territory as investors were heartened by robust results from a clutch of blue-chip players.

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Warning of post-Christmas hangover for pubs

While the market bubbled up, pub companies experienced varying fortunes as City scribblers cautioned that after the Christmas party, a headache could hit the sector.

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The False Claims Act is about shifting the image of company America by discouraging crime

The False Claims Act is more than just the money; instead it is about changing the face of company America by daunting crime. In reality reporting fraud should be the civil responsibility of each individual. It is comprehensible that a few of the people feel that they don't want to rock the ship for fear of some kind of reprisal, whether through their work, or through friends.

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Hotel investors check out as large-caps slide

Traders headed for the exit of InterContinental Hotels after UBS turned bearish on the business, whose chains include Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.

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