There's lots of talk across the internet about Microsoft's (MSFT:NASDAQ) fourth quarter (to end June) cloud and AI (artificial intelligence) revenue falling short of expectations. That might be so, but a look at the underlying numbers paints a picture of still incredibly robust growth. Azure, Microsoft's cloud business grew 29% versus 30.2% forecasts, hardly a drama for the longer run. If you a...

Stocks in Europe were in the green heading into Wednesday afternoon as markets digest a raft of earnings and await the US interest rate decision. The FTSE 100 index shot up 116.07 points, or 1.4%, at 8,390.48. But the FTSE 250 rose 135.79 points, 0.5%, at 21,568.30, while the AIM All-Share added 4.37 points, 0.6%, at 782.53. The Cboe UK 100 was up 1.2% at 837.75, the Cboe UK 250 added 0.5% to 1...

Despite delivering better-than-expected second-quarter sales and earnings growth and raising its full-year guidance, pharmaceutical giant GSK (GSK) saw its shares slip 2% to £15.19 as investors focused on disappointing vaccine sales. GSK has now delivered forecast-beating earnings in three of the last four quarters, demonstrating improved business performance amid pressure from activists to do...

Shares in Just Eat Takeaway.com (JET) were off to a flying start in morning trading gaining 10% from a multi-year low to £10.04 despite the food delivery business posting a slight dip in first-half sales and a bigger loss. Investors were encouraged instead by the firm sticking to its full-year turnover target and announcing a €150 million share buyback. SALES HOLDING UP For the six months to...

Global banking giant HSBC (HSBA) pleased investors with its first-half trading update and another bumper buyback as it said goodbye to chief executive Noel Quinn who is passing the baton on to Georges Elhedery. HSBC shares were marked up 24p of 3.5% to 701p making them the biggest gainer in the FTSE 100. PROFIT BEAT AND GUIDANCE RAISED For the six months to the end of June, revenue inched up $0...

Stocks in Europe traded higher on Wednesday morning amid a slew of corporate earnings and a rise in oil prices, after the Bank of Japan raised its main interest rate and before the Federal Reserve's decision later. The FTSE 100 index shot up 93.67 points, or 1.1%, at 8,368.08 on Wednesday morning. But the FTSE 250 rose 194.53 points, 0.9%, at 21,627.04, while the AIM All-Share added 3.72 points...

The FTSE 100 closed in the red on Tuesday, underperforming against its European peers, as investors wait for three major interest rate decisions. The FTSE 250, however, got a boost. St James's Place took the spotlight, soaring 25%. The FTSE 100 index closed down 17.94 points, 0.2%, at 8,274.41. The FTSE 250 ended up 180.44 points, 0.9%, at 21,432.51, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.84 of a po...

London's blue-chips remained in the red, but off early lows, as investors await US data, tech earnings and a trio of central bank interest rate calls. The FTSE 100 index traded down 18.36 points, or 0.2%, at 8,273.99 on Tuesday. But the FTSE 250 rose 190.83 points, 0.9%, at 21,442.90, while the AIM All-Share fell just 0.22 of a point to 777.10. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 826.07, the Cboe...

Shares in BP (BP.) were up over 2% in morning trading to 465p after the oil giant's second quarter profit came in ahead of market expectations. The company reported a second quarter underlying replacement cost profit of $2.8 billion reflecting an average gas marketing and trading result, significantly lower realized refining margins, stronger fuels margins and lower taxation. BP said it generat...

Spirits maker Diageo (DGE) managed to undershoot consensus full-year sales and profit expectations despite a fairly 'low bar' driven by downward estimate revisions. The disappointment spurred a 9% fall in the shares to a new seven-year low of £23.05, taking 12-month losses to 33% compared with a 7% gain for the blue-chip FTSE 100 index. WHAT DID THE COMPANY SAY? The world's largest alcoholic d...

Investors in London-based, Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered (STAN) were treated to a quadruple helping of good news as half-year earnings beat forecasts, leading the group to raise its full-year guidance, hike the interim dividend by 50% and launch its largest-ever share buyback. The shares climbed 43p or 6% to 770p, taking their gains for the year to over 16%. HIGHER SHAREHOLDER RETURNS Fo...

London's FTSE 100 fell on Tuesday, underperforming European peers, held back by some underwhelming earnings, with Diageo particularly badly hit. The FTSE 100 index traded down 42.60 points, or 0.5%, at 8,249.75 on Tuesday morning. But the FTSE 250 rose 130.10 points, 0.6%, at 21,382.17, while the AIM All-Share fell 0.54 of a point, 0.1%, at 776.78. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.6% at 823.55, the C...