Natural disasters in Japan rock the markets
Darren Hepworth, Trading and Customer Services Director, TD Waterhouse comments: "Oil and financial stocks were almost the sole focus among TD customers this week combining to make up nearly 90% of the top ten buys and 100% of the top ten sells. As the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear scares dominated the news agenda, financial markets were left reeling with the FTSE 100 dropping to a low of 5593.90 during the week ending 15 March.
"Insurance giant Aviva (AV), remained in the top ten buys, rising from 10th place to eighth, its share price tumbling, as news emerged that insurers are likely to be hit hard by events in Japan. It appeared TD customers were keen to take advantage of the falling share price, which peaked at 479.80p on Wednesday 9 March before declining steadily to a low of 425.60p at close on Tuesday 15 March.
"As London crude oil prices for April delivery fell to $98.23 a barrel on 15 March in the wake of the ongoing crisis in Japan, BP (BP) returned to the buys table at number three. However analysts remarked it is well placed to capitalise on strong refining margins in the US. The company also announced the expansion of its biofuels business in Brazil on Friday as it moved up to third place in the sells.
"Meanwhile, three other oil companies were new entrants to the sells table. Heritage Oil (HOIL) was the seventh most popular sell as it was announced the Ugandan government had officially sanctioned Tullow Oil's $1.45bn purchase of its 50% per cent stake in the Lake Albert project. Sound Oil (SOU) took ninth position in the sells and climbed two places to seventh in the buys, announcing it had boosted its portfolio with the award of a new exploration licence in Italy. Elsewhere, Rockhopper Exploration (RKH) arrived back in the top ten sells at 10th announcing to investors on Tuesday 15 March that it will drill three more wells with its Falklands-based Ocean Guardian rig.
"Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) was the main mover among the banks, monopolising the top spots in both this week's buys and sells tables. Reports suggested the British division of National Australia Bank was preparing to bid for 600 branches that Lloyds is being forced to sell as part of its bailout agreement with the British government.
"Barclays (BARC) re-entered the top ten buys in fifth, with Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) retaining its sixth place in the table and lifting three spots to fifth in the sells.