Indices in London ended the session in the green on a mixed day for retailers on Black Friday as US equities pushed higher in a shortened trading session. The FTSE 100 index rose 6.08 points, 0.1%, at 8,287.30. The FTSE 250 climbed 8.79 points, at 20,771.57, and the AIM All-Share firmed 1.58 points, 0.2%, at 732.49. For the week, the FTSE 100 rose 0.3%, the FTSE 250 advanced 0.9% and the AIM Al...

London's FTSE 100 was largely flat, though the FTSE 250 made a more sizeable move heading into Friday afternoon, as M&A activity continued. The FTSE 100 index added just 3.66 points to sit at 8,284.88. The FTSE 250 registered a more convincing 31.63 point gain, 0.2%, at 20,794.41, and the AIM All-Share added 1.49 points, 0.2%, at 732.40. The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.1% at 832.14, the Cboe UK 250 adde...

Private healthcare provider Spire Healthcare (SPI) jumped 8% after the Economic Times reported that Indian medical group Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH:NSE) is looking to acquire a controlling stake in the FTSE 250 company. Narayana is led by renowned heart surgeon Devi Shetty, whose senior management team have already held 'detailed' talks with institutional shareholders and reportedly received 'pos...

Another one bites the dust. Automotive fluid storage and delivery specialist TI Fluid Systems (TIFS) looks set to become the latest company to exit the UK stock market. Having spurned earlier bids from ABC Technologies, the car parts supplier has succumbed to the private equity backed group's overtures and recommended a £1.04 billion takeover. Under the terms of the all-cash deal, expected to...

Despite a sell-off on Wednesday (27 November) on the back of stubbornly strong inflation, US markets still put in a strong performance over five days with the S&P 500 index closing above 6,000 (26 November) before easing back. October's PCE (personal consumption and expenditure) data showed a steeper-than-expected rise in prices, while the economy and employment remain robust, raising concerns...

Blue-chips in Europe traded slightly lower in a tepid open on Friday, ahead of eurozone data later and an abbreviated session in New York. The FTSE 100 index fell 8.73 points, 0.1%, at 8,272.49. It is up some 2.0% so far this month. The FTSE 250 rose 32.01 points, 0.2%, at 20,794.79, and the AIM All-Share added 0.94 of a point, 0.1%, at 731.85. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 831.08, the Cboe...

London indices saw modest gains on Thursday, driven in part by strong performances from food retailers Tesco and Sainsbury's, which rose on analyst upgrades, while trading volumes remained light with US markets closed for Thanksgiving. The FTSE 100 index rose 6.47 points, 0.1%, at 8,281.22. The FTSE 250 climbed 146.81 points, 0.7%, at 20,748.44, and the AIM All-Share eased 0.49 of a point, 0.1%...

Stocks in London were mixed around midday on Thursday, although a burst of takeover action provided some energy to a quiet trading day due to a public holiday in New York. Renewi said it would be minded to accept a bid from Macquarie, which came back to the negotiating table after walking away more than a year ago. Direct Line rebuffed an Aviva tilt, however. Loungers agreed to a private equity...

Hard-pressed footwear company Dr Martens (DOCS) lurched into loss for the half ended 29 September 2024 as higher costs and a slump in wholesale revenue, notably in the US, took a heavy toll on its performance. Yet despite this swing into the red, shares in the boots, shoes and sandals seller rallied 15% to 67p after it flagged improved trading since the start of the Autum/Winter season and left...

All-day bar/restaurant operator Loungers (LGRS:AIM) came to the market on the eve of the pandemic in 2019 and now appears to be going back to private equity ownership after agreeing a takeover offer from Fortress Investment at a 30% premium to the last closing price. The shares jumped 28% to a record high of 310p, giving those investors who bought at the IPO (initial public offering) price of 2...

Motor and home insurer Direct Line Insurance (DLG) received its third bid of 2024 with larger UK rival Aviva (AV.) pitching a 250p cash-and-shares after the closing bell last night. Direct Line shares jumped 59p or 37% to 218p, more than reversing their losses year-to-date and leaving them at a six-month high. THIRD TIME UNLUCKY Direct Line has already received two cash and shares bids this yea...

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were in the green on Thursday morning, with Direct Line shining on the FTSE 250, as traders in New York sit on the sidelines amid the Thanksgiving holiday. The FTSE 100 index added 17.45 points, 0.2%, at 8,292.20. The FTSE 250 rose 133.28 points, 0.7%, at 20,734.91, and the AIM All-Share added 0.32 of a point at 731.72. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at...

London's stock indices closed higher on Wednesday, contrasting with broader European declines, with confidence from easing bond yields lifting housebuilders over the session. The FTSE 100 index rose 16.14 points, 0.2%, at 8,274.75. The FTSE 250 climbed 32.98 points, 0.2%, at 20,601.63, and the AIM All-Share firmed 0.81 of a point, 0.1%, at 731.40. The Cboe UK 100 advanced 0.1% at 831.73, the Cb...