This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24488144

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Royal Mail shares jump sharply on market debut Royal Mail shares jump sharply on market debut
(about 2 hours later)
Royal Mail shares rose more than 38% to 456p at the start of conditional dealings on the London Stock Exchange.Royal Mail shares rose more than 38% to 456p at the start of conditional dealings on the London Stock Exchange.
The hugely oversubscribed sale was priced at 330p per share at the top of its expected range and valuing the near 500-year-old company at £3.3bn.The hugely oversubscribed sale was priced at 330p per share at the top of its expected range and valuing the near 500-year-old company at £3.3bn.
After an hour into trading, the price had eased back to 444p. Private investors received 227 shares each.After an hour into trading, the price had eased back to 444p. Private investors received 227 shares each.
The shares are listed officially next Tuesday, but City institutions began conditional dealings on Friday.The shares are listed officially next Tuesday, but City institutions began conditional dealings on Friday.
Some 10 million shares were traded in the first 30 seconds when the market opened. Stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown reported that its website was having "intermittent problems" due to the "unprecedented interest" in Royal Mail.Some 10 million shares were traded in the first 30 seconds when the market opened. Stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown reported that its website was having "intermittent problems" due to the "unprecedented interest" in Royal Mail.
Tom McPhail, the firm's head of pensions research, said it was "extremely sorry for the delays", but was making "significant progress in clearing the backlog" and hoped to have all systems running normally again soon.
"We have experienced demand this morning which has gone off the scale," he said.
"We now have six times the normal number of staff working on our dealing lines. We know we are not the only broker affected by such problems this morning."
The price rise is likely to fuel debate over whether the sale of Royal Mail has been undervalued. Business Secretary Vince Cable has insisted that the taxpayer has not been short-changed by the privatisation.The price rise is likely to fuel debate over whether the sale of Royal Mail has been undervalued. Business Secretary Vince Cable has insisted that the taxpayer has not been short-changed by the privatisation.
But the general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, Billy Hayes, described the sell-off as "a tragedy" and predicted that it would make "not one scintilla of difference" to employees' intention to vote for strike action next Wednesday.But the general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, Billy Hayes, described the sell-off as "a tragedy" and predicted that it would make "not one scintilla of difference" to employees' intention to vote for strike action next Wednesday.
Mr Hayes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is a sham, really. The company has been undervalued.Mr Hayes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is a sham, really. The company has been undervalued.
"It's basically David Cameron rewarding his mates in the City. Vince Cable, one of the cleverest men in British politics, has made one of the stupidest decisions he is ever likely to make as a politician.""It's basically David Cameron rewarding his mates in the City. Vince Cable, one of the cleverest men in British politics, has made one of the stupidest decisions he is ever likely to make as a politician."
'Froth and speculation''Froth and speculation'
Mr Cable told the Today programme that the bulk of the shares had gone to "long-term stable investors" in the UK.Mr Cable told the Today programme that the bulk of the shares had gone to "long-term stable investors" in the UK.
He said any volatility in the Royal Mail share price over the next week or so was of little consequence. "What matters is where the price eventually settles in three or six months' time".He said any volatility in the Royal Mail share price over the next week or so was of little consequence. "What matters is where the price eventually settles in three or six months' time".
Mr Cable said: "You get an enormous amount of froth and speculation in the aftermath of a big IPO [initial public offering] of this kind.Mr Cable said: "You get an enormous amount of froth and speculation in the aftermath of a big IPO [initial public offering] of this kind.
"The bulk of the shares have gone to long-term institutional investors, stable investors, some overseas investors, but mainly British pension funds and insurance companies who are there for the long term."The bulk of the shares have gone to long-term institutional investors, stable investors, some overseas investors, but mainly British pension funds and insurance companies who are there for the long term.
"The objective of the exercise, which fits in with what we want for the Royal Mail, is to make sure it has stable, long-term investors.""The objective of the exercise, which fits in with what we want for the Royal Mail, is to make sure it has stable, long-term investors."
Voting in the strike ballot will close on 16 October. Under the current rules on industrial action, the earliest possible date for a strike is 23 October.Voting in the strike ballot will close on 16 October. Under the current rules on industrial action, the earliest possible date for a strike is 23 October.
In the flotation prospectus, Royal Mail warned that labour unrest posed a potential risk for the share price.In the flotation prospectus, Royal Mail warned that labour unrest posed a potential risk for the share price.
Mr Cable said a strike was not in the interests of Royal Mail.Mr Cable said a strike was not in the interests of Royal Mail.
'Dazzling debut''Dazzling debut'
City analysts said the price rise was driven by big institutional investors' demand for the stock. Matt Basi, head of UK sales trading at CMC Markets, said investment funds were "queuing up to make big purchases".City analysts said the price rise was driven by big institutional investors' demand for the stock. Matt Basi, head of UK sales trading at CMC Markets, said investment funds were "queuing up to make big purchases".
Joe Rundle, head of trading at ETX Capital, called the surge in Royal Mail shares a "dazzling stock market debut".Joe Rundle, head of trading at ETX Capital, called the surge in Royal Mail shares a "dazzling stock market debut".
But he said factors such as the threat of industrial action, a lack of adequate capital and unclear growth strategy could weigh down the stock price in the future.But he said factors such as the threat of industrial action, a lack of adequate capital and unclear growth strategy could weigh down the stock price in the future.