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...

Stocks in London ran out of steam by the end of Monday, with focus on the trio of major central bank meetings this week, and the UK chancellor's latest update on the '£22 billion black hole' in the country's finances. The FTSE 100 index closed up 6.64 points, 0.1%, at 8,292.35. The FTSE 250 ended down 104.23, 0.5%, at 21,252.07, and the AIM All-Share closed down 2.35 points, 0.3%, at 777.32. T...

London's equity markets started the week on a strong footing on Monday, though the pound weakened ahead of a trio of central bank decisions. The Bank of England will announce its latest interest rate decision on Thursday, after rate calls from the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday. The FTSE 100 index traded up 60.77 points, or 0.7%, at 8,346.48 on Monday afternoon. The FTSE...

Shares in hygiene, health and nutrition products powerhouse Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) sank as much as 10% to around £40.40, their lowest level since 2013 after a US jury found Abbot Laboratories' (ABT:NYSE) specialised infant formula caused an Illinois girl to develop a dangerous bowl disease. In pre-market trading, Abbot Labs' shares were around 7% lower. Reckitt shares are down by more than a...

Shares in Pearson (PSON) were down over 3% to £10.10 in morning trading despite the education media group remaining on track to deliver full year 2024 and reiterating guidance for 2025. Beyond 2025, Pearson said it was positioned to deliver a compound annualised growth rate in the mid-single digits. Underlying adjusted operating profit growth for the six months to 30 June was up 4% to £250 m...

Fashion firm Burberry (BRBY) received a vote of confidence from chair Gerry Murphy and chief financial officer Catherine Ferry who both bought shares in the company this month. Murphy picked up 20,000 shares at 725p on 16 July for a total consideration of £145,000 while Ferry acquired over 8,000 shares at 720p the same day for a total outlay of just under £60,000. Non-executive director Ron F...

Stock prices in London were in the green on Monday morning ahead of an important week of earnings, with three major interest rate decisions and key eurozone data also in the spotlight. The FTSE 100 index traded up 51.96 points, or 0.6%, at 8,337.67 on Monday morning. The FTSE 250 rose 128.48 points, 0.6%, at 21,484.78, while the AIM All-Share added 2.31 points, 0.3%, at 781.98. The Cboe UK 100...

Stocks in London finished in the green on Friday, after PCE data from the US came in hotter than expected. Investors are also eyeing interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England next week. The FTSE 100 index closed up 99.36 points, 1.2%, at 8,285.71. The FTSE 250 ended up 471.95 points, 2.3%, at 21,356.30, and the AIM All-Share closed up 6.64 points, 0.9%, at 779.67....

Stocks in London were in the green going into Friday afternoon, as investors kept their eyes on US inflation data due out this afternoon. The FTSE 100 index traded up 58.40 points, or 0.7%, at 8,244.06. The FTSE 250 was up 221.33 points, 1.1%, at 21,105.17, while the AIM All-Share rose 3.17 points, 0.4%, at 776.20. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 823.02, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.1% to 18,493.38, a...