Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Market Report: The Footsie had the weight of the world on its shoulders

 

Oscar Williams-Grut
Tuesday 25 March 2014 02:39 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Russian oligarch Alexei Khotin has ended up with more control of the oil exploration firm Exillon Energy. The chairman, chief executive and three independent directors all quit on Friday after boss Mark Martin told the board “he was no longer able to exercise practical control over the company… without the support of the newly appointed directors who are nominees of the RusOil Group”.

Mr Khotin, the billionaire owner of RusOil, installed two directors on the board at the end of January, after building a 29.9 per cent stake in the firm last year.

Exillon yesterday confirmed RusOil’s deputy chief executive Pavel Chernienkoas as an executive director, cementing Mr Khotin’s control. Exillon drilled down 6.75p to 111p.

The Footsie had the weight of the world on its shoulders yesterday as fears over Chinese growth and tensions in Russia continued to depress the index, which closed down 36.78 points at 6,520.39.

Investors were also spooked by fears that the Big Six energy providers could be broken up, after reports that Ofgem is set to report them to the competition watchdog. British Gas-owner Centrica fell 6.4p to 331.5p, while SSE dropped 35p to 1,475p.

Al Noor Hospitals continued to soar yesterday, amid talk that good deals are on the way; the Dubai healthcare group leapt up 84p to 1,069p.

Gold producers were hit yesterday as the price fell. Rangold Resources sank 204p to 4,627p, and Fresnillo lost 33p to 852p. The exception was Centamin, up 5.2p at 57.7p, which beat production targets with its full-year numbers.

Cambridge-based disease modelling company Horizon Discovery has raised more than double what it hoped for from its initial public offering, according to Panmure Gordon. Horizon, which starts trading on Aim on Thursday, has secured £68.6m.

The oil and gas engineer Kentz was up 21.5p to 754.5p, and is set to beat forecasts for the year ahead.

The technical products maker Diploma was down 58.5p to 701.5p, after warning that exchange rates would keep its first half profits flat.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in