By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Shares of BP PLC helped push the U.K.'s
FTSE 100 higher on Tuesday, after the oil giant raised its
dividend.
The benchmark stock index added 0.6% to close at 6,402.17,
breaking a two-session losing streak. On Monday, the index dropped
0.4%, with banks sliding after European stress-test results.
BP (BP) posted one of the biggest gains on Tuesday, up 1.6%,
after the energy major said it will raise dividends for the third
quarter to 10 cents--a 5.3% increase on the year. The company also
said Russian sanctions have had no material impact on its results,
although it has felt a squeeze from the falling ruble.
Meanwhile another energy name, BG Group PLC gave up 1.6%. The
big energy company said profit dropped 29% in the third quarter,
and its output declined further amid higher costs and lower global
hydrocarbon prices.
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LYG) dropped 2.4% after the bank took
another 900-million-pound ($1.45 billion) hit to cover compensation
for mis-selling loan insurance, known as payment protection
insurance, or PPI. On a more upbeat note, the lender reported a
rise in third-quarter underlying profit.
Standard Chartered PLC slid 8.8%, putting it on track for its
lowest close in more than five years. The bank said its operating
profit fell 16% in the third quarter, partly because of higher
impairment losses.
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