US Markets closed for Labor Day but FTSE 100 up 11.90 to 6315.90

US markets were closed today for the Labor Day holiday but FTSE 100 stocks in London were up 11.90 to 6315.90 on comments by major banking concerns that financial prospects were better than expected. Banks were the best performing sector, good news for the capital-hungry biofuels sector.

Barclays has been under particular scrutiny after tapping Bank of England reserves twice in a two week period, but over the weekend the company denied reports of profit concerns. Analysts credited the rise to positive sentiment generated late Friday in US markets after market-supporting comments by President Bush and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Australian Labor Party reverses biofuels opposition

The Australian newspaper reports that the Australian Labor Party, facing an upcoming election later this year, has publicly endorsed the joint venture between BP and biofuels company Manildra. The Lab...

US Markets closed for Good Friday, Biofuels Digest Index off eight percent for week as agribusiness sinks

US Markets were closed in observance of Good Friday. On Thursday, the Biofuels Digest Indexâ„¢ (BDI), a basket of public biofuels stocks, fell 3.85 percent to close at 111.10 as diversified agribu...

Food vs Fuel update: US Labor Department says food prices up 4 percent, energy up 17 percent

The US Labor Department reported that food prices rose at an annual 4.4. percent rate in March, but gasoline and other energy costs have rises 17 percent in the past year. Researchers from Texas A&...

Biofuels Stock and Financial Outlook for September 3

Biofuels stocks will be looking to rise this week based on major reports due in the broader market as the US returns from the Labor Day holiday and summer vacations in general. Due this week are repor...

Daily Biofuels Summary for September 4

Top Story: President Bush and leaders of 20 Asia-Pacific nations are gathering in Sydney to discuss, among other regional topics, response to climate change.  APEC leaders are  expected to call ...

Gasoline, ethanol prices begin to fall

Gasoline prices began dropping across the country this month as post-Labor Day drops in demand begin to be felt. The drop in Michigan was 14 cents per gallon from highs recorded over Labor Day weekend...