Top trades: Investors buy in to Lloyds' rumours
Investors used the slump in Lloyds Banking Group’s share price yesterday (8 February) as an opportunity to snap up shares at a discount.
Lloyds raced back to the top of Barclays Stockbrokers’ top trades list after the company’s share price nosedived to a seven month low triggered by rumours of a debt-for-equity swap later in the month.
Overall, Lloyds accounted for 13.1 per cent of all buying activity, way ahead of Barclays (9.1 per cent) and Royal Bank of Scotland (4 per cent).
However, in early trading this morning (9 February), the share price had already bounced, gaining 3.2 per cent on its closing value and rising to 48.73p (0945 hrs).
Meanwhile, Xstrata continued to feature in both buy and sell lists, although there was no apparent let up in the appetite for the mining stock amid rumours that a merger with commodities trader Glencore was imminent.
Yesterday’s trading figures show that Xstrata represented 3.1 per cent of all purchases and 3.9 per cent of all sales, according to Barclays Stockbrokers, with further strong volumes predicted today.
Aviva also rose through the top purchases list yesterday buoyed by a trail of reiterated ‘buy’ notes from analysts at Panmure Gordon and Shore Capital. It accounted for 3.3 per cent of all purchase activity yesterday. Aviva’s full year results are due on 4 March 2010.
Barclays Stockbrokers
Top ten trades
Monday 8 February 2010
Buy
1. Lloyds Banking Group, 13.1 per cent
2. Barclays, 9.1 per cent
3. RBS, 4.0 per cent
4. Aviva, 3.3 per cent
5. Xstrata, 3.1 per cent
6. BP, 1.9 per cent
7. GlaxoSmithKline, 1.7 per cent
8. Afren, 1.5 per cent
9. BG Group, 1.5 per cent
10. Petrofac, 1.3 per cent
Sell
1. Barclays, 6.4 per cent
2. Lloyds Banking Group, 5.1 per cent
3. Xstrata, 3.9 per cent
4. Royal Bank of Scotland, 3.4 per cent
5. Petrofac, 2.3 per cent
6. Randgold Resources, 1.6 per cent
7. Taylor Wimpey, 1.3 per cent
8. Afren, 1.3 per cent
9. Yell Group, 1.2 per cent
10. Vodafone Group, 1.1 per cent
Advertisement
Latest news
Market update (AM): Financials lead gains in morning trading 12 March 2010
Financials and insurance stocks led the major gains this morning (12 March), with Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking leading the chasing pack.
- Market update (PM): Petrofac shines after upgrade 11 March 2010
- Market update (AM): Argos takes care of it for HRG 11 March 2010
- Market update (PM): Investors take advantage of Gulf bailout 10 March 2010
Recommendations
Top Ten Life Funds
| Fund | Offer | 1y | 3y | 5y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBS Life Structured Credit A | 85.39 | 230.1 | n/a | n/a |
| Skandia Finland FIM Russia | 11.36 | 185.6 | -3.8 | 79.2 |
| Skandia Finland JPM New European | 1.96 | 140.9 | -9.1 | n/a |
| Canlife SVM UK Opportunities LS4 Acc | 103.40 | 133.4 | -13.8 | 35.5 |
| Skandia Finland Alfred Berg Ryssland | 0.86 | 132.8 | n/a | n/a |
| AXA JPM New Europe | 193.80 | 132.1 | n/a | n/a |
| Zurich Sterling JPM New Europe | 258.80 | 130.6 | n/a | n/a |
| L&G SVM UK Opportunities | 100.32 | 130.0 | -16.4 | n/a |
| Skandia JPM New Europe | 253.10 | 128.8 | 18.2 | 98.1 |
| Merch Inv Sanlam Global Financial S6 | 106.50 | 126.4 | n/a | n/a |
Share dealing in depth
The Share Centre to assist Wills & Co clients 17 February 2010
The Share Centre has confirmed it will take over management of the 11,000 accounts from Wills & Co stockbrokers after the company announced it was closing.
- UK exits recession but investors remain cautious 26 January 2010
- China's cap ad call triggers commodities sale 20 January 2010
- Tradefair gears up for CFD launch 19 January 2010
Guides
Sterling is in for a rough ride 9 March 2010
Stuart Frost, co-fund manager of the Threadneedle Absolute Return Bond Fund, comments on the outlook for Sterling.
- Witan to offer ISA promotion 12 January 2010
- Cheap and cheerful sharedealing 13 November 2009
- Outsmart the markets 8 September 2009
Special Offers
- Annual report service
Free access to annual reports and other information
on selected companies


