Stocks in Europe were mostly higher at midday Wednesday, with UK inflation reaching an eight-month high but not forcing 'shares in interest rate-sensitive sectors' to retreat. In UK and European news, the UK consumer prices index rose by 2.6% in the year to November, picking up pace from a 2.3% rise in year to October and in line with FXStreet-cited market consensus. The closely watched CPI ser...

The board of Mastercard (MA:NYSE) has approved a new share buyback scheme worth $12 billion of its Class A shares, about 1.3% of its total share capital. Mastercard, one half of the world's debit and credit card duopoly with Visa (V:NYSE), said the new share repurchase programme will only become effective after the completion of its ongoing $11 billion scheme, which still has approximately $3.9...

Embattled pharmaceutical firm Pfizer (PFE:NYSE) topped the S&P 500 index leaderboard on Tuesday (17 Dec), gaining 5% to $26.4 after confirming 2024 guidance and reaffirming 2025 forecasts in line with market expectations. The positive share price reaction to meeting consensus expectations demonstrates just how much negative investor sentiment surrounds the company which has seen its shares more...

Struggling footwear retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE:AIM) has halved its current-year profit guidance and plans to pass the final dividend for the year ended 28 September 2024 after experiencing 'very challenging trading conditions' since the Budget. Combined with increased costs also stemming from the Budget, which has resulted in plans to close a number of stores that are no longer considered viable,...

The normally-sleepy world of investment trusts received a wake-up call this morning with the publication of a shareholder letter by activist investor Saba Capital Management calling for change at no fewer than seven well-known funds. The firm, which has a history of successfully instigating change, has called general meetings at each of the trusts, where it is a major investor, because in its v...

Stocks in London were in the green on Wednesday morning, as investors prepare for eurozone inflation data and the US interest rate decision this afternoon. UK consumer price inflation and producer price inflation data came out before the London open. According to the Office for National Statistics, the consumer prices index rose by 2.6% in the 12 months to November, picking up pace on-month fro...

UK indices were down at the close on Tuesday, as Bunzl warned deflation will have a impact on profitability. The FTSE 100 index closed down 66.85 points, 0.8%, at 8,195.20. The FTSE 250 ended 270.17 points lower, 1.3%, at 20,542.86, and the AIM All-Share gave back 7.45 points, 1.0%, at 722.04. The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.7% at 823.10, the Cboe UK 250 fell 1.4% at 18,067.65, and the Cboe Small...

European stocks were mixed at midday on Tuesday, as new UK unemployment data was unchanged signalling weak job creation. Investors will be eagerly anticipating the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England rate calls this week. The Fed appears very likely to announce its latest cut, while the BoE is expected to keep rates unchanged. The UK Office for National Statistics reported that unemployment...

Renowned for its resilience, outsourcing business Bunzl (BNZL) said it expects to deliver a 'strong' year-on-year adjusted operating profit increase for the year ending 31 December 2024 in the face of an uncertain economic backdrop. So why were shares in the distribution and services business the FTSE 100's biggest fallers in early deals on 17 December, sliding 5.3% to £33.68? Well, the London...

The UK and Canada's largest tenpin bowling operator Hollywood Bowl (BOWL) reported record revenue and profit for the year to 30 September despite tough prior year comparatives and said the new financial year had started positively. Despite the positive progress investors were not bowled over and took the opportunity to take some profits with the shares falling 7% in early dealings. Over the las...

Precision engineering firm Goodwin (GDWN) was the standout performer by a country mile on a grey day for the UK market, posting a strong increase in six-month earnings and orders. The shares, which were up 12% year-to-date head of today's report, jumped as much as £12.40 or 18% to £80 before settling up £7.70 at £76.30. REMARKABLE TRACK RECORD For a metal-basher - and increasingly a plastic...

Stock prices opened in the red in London, Paris and Frankfurt on Tuesday, as investors await eurozone trade balance and US industrial production data. The Office for National Statistics reported that UK unemployment, in the three months to the end of October, remained unchanged at 4.3% compared to the three months to the end of September. Growth in average earnings including bonuses picked up t...

Stock prices in London closed lower on Monday, as Canal+ shares slumped on their first day of London trading and Entain fell as it faces an Australian investigation. The FTSE 100 index closed down 38.28 points, 0.5%, at 8,262.05. The FTSE 250 ended 76.12 points lower, 0.4%, at 20,813.03, and the AIM All-Share gave back 3.87 points, 0.5%, at 729.49. The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 828.87, the...