London's blue chip index closed in the green on Friday as Smiths Group unveiled 'strategic actions' to unlock shareholder value, including divestment and an increased buyback programme.The FTSE 100 index closed up 27.08 points, 0.3%, at 8,673.96. The FTSE 250 ended up 145.41 points, 0.7%, at 20,950.48, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.10 points at 718.13.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.3% at 869.89,

European stocks edged higher at Friday midday ahead of US inflation figures which are expected to show pricing pressures remained stable in December.The latest strength means London's FTSE 100 is on track to post a gain of around 6.2% for January, its biggest monthly gain since November 2022.Russ Mould at AJ Bell said: 'Investors will be relieved that the markets have successfully negotiated a wee

Blue chip stocks in Europe were largely higher, with Smiths Group the star performer in London, but looming tariff worries could unnerve equities.Convera analyst Boris Kovacevic said the 'tariff clock is ticking'.'The February 1st tariff deadline clouds the outlook. Investors are confused by the unclear tariff rollouts from the Trump administration. Recently, the White House confirmed a 25% levy o

London stocks climbed on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 reaching a new high, driven by strong performances from gold miners and upbeat corporate earnings, while investors also assessed weak economic data from the US and eurozone.The FTSE 100 index ended up 89.07 points, 1.0%, at 8,646.88. It had earlier set a new intra-day high of 8,655.19.The FTSE 250 ended up 245.37 points, 1.2%, at 20,802.07, and

Stocks in Europe were higher before a eurozone rate decision on Thursday, while US equities are called to open in the green despite tech earnings that received mixed reviews.The FTSE 100 index added 37.09 points, 0.4%, at 8,594.90. The FTSE 250 was up 174.66 points, 0.9%, at 20,734.36, and the AIM All-Share added 5.22 points, 0.7%, at 717.41.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 861.67, the Cboe UK 250 r

Guidance cut from €350-€450 million to €250-€300 millionCost headwinds hit European budget carrierShares down 37% over the past yearShares in Wizz Air (WIZZ) fell nearly 12% in early morning trading after the European budge carrier cut its full year 2025 profit guidance from a range of €350 million to €450 million to €250 million to €300 million, before any

First-half revenue up 13%Operating profit up 55%Full year to be ahead of expectationsCasino and bingo operator Rank Group (RNK) said it expects full-year operating profit to be slightly ahead of market expectations after delivering continued strong momentum in revenue and profit growth in the first half to 31 December 2024.The shares responded positively to the update, rising almost 3% to 92.3p, t

Stock prices in Europe opened higher on Thursday morning, before a European Central Bank decision which is expected to be a 25 basis point cut.The ECB decision follows what was deemed a hawkish hold by the Federal Reserve overnight.The FTSE 100 index added 11.86 points, 0.1%, at 8,569.67. The FTSE 250 was up 135.96 points, 0.7%, at 20,695.66, and the AIM All-Share added 3.13 of a point, 0.4%, at 7

In a week when the FTSE 100 and FTSE-All Share indices made new all-time highs, it is quite striking that shares in posh cinema company Everyman Media (EMAN:AIM) made an new all-time low.The stock is down 17% over the last six months and has lost around half its value since listing on AIM in 2013.Notwithstanding the disruption caused by the Hollywood actors and writers strikes in 2024, the company

Prevailing negative sentiment towards alcoholic drinks companies reflects tariff and regulation risk, the fact drinkers' disposable incomes are under pressure and the younger demographic is quaffing less alcohol, as well as worries over the demand impact of weight loss drugs on the sector.Little wonder then that global beverages behemoth Diageo's (DGE) shares have underperformed the FTSE 100 over

Burberry (BRBY) £12.01Loss to date: 7.2%When we suggested buying shares in UK fashion house Burberry (BRBY) at £12.94 in February 2024, little did we know the bottom was about to fall out of the luxury goods market.WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE SAID TO BUY?At their nadir in September, after exiting the FTSE 100, the shares closed at 575p handing us a paper loss of more than 55%, but Lazarus-like th

Who had an open-source Chinese AI chatbot on their bingo card as something which could trip the markets up in 2025? Not me, I have to confess. We have a news special on the DeepSeek story and its implications from my colleague Martin Gamble, who won't mind me saying has seen a few market cycles in his time. Anyone invested in a global fund or tracker will likely to have some exposure to this story

London stocks ended mixed on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 gaining as utilities rebounded, while investors awaited the Federal Reserve's rate decision and key US tech earnings.The FTSE 100 index ended up 23.94 points, 0.3%, at 8,557.81. The FTSE 250 ended down 28.81 points, 0.1%, at 20,559.70, and the AIM All-Share eased 3.13 points, 0.4%, at 712.19.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 857.74 on Wednes

Stock prices in London were mostly higher midday Wednesday, with water utilities among those leading the charge, before investors look across the pond for the Federal Reserve interest rate decision later.The FTSE 100 index added 27.29 points, 0.3%, at 8,561.16. The FTSE 250 was up 114.30 points, 0.6%, at 20,702.81, and the AIM All-Share lost just 0.14 of a point at 715.18.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.

Good start to financial yearTravel delivering strong growthHigh Street arm continues to struggleHaving kick-started an auction process for its ailing High Street division earlier in the week, WH Smith (SMWH) was in demand with investors again as the retailer reported soaring sales at its Travel division over the Golden Quarter.The FTSE 250 company's shares rallied 6.6% to £12.69 on an update that

Stock prices in London and Frankfurt opened higher on Wednesday, while Paris blue-chips fell amid weaker trade for luxury firms, as investors await a Federal Reserve interest rate decision.The FTSE 100 index added 4.45 points, 0.1%, at 8,538.32. The FTSE 250 was up 37.56 points, 0.2%, at 20,626.07, and the AIM All-Share added 0.38 of a point, 0.1%, at 715.70.The Cboe UK 100 was flat at 855.93, the

London's blue-chips made modest gains Tuesday, supported by defensive sectors, while global sentiment remained cautious amid worries over potential US tariffs on imports.The FTSE 100 index ended up 30.16 points, 0.4%, at 8,533.87. The FTSE 250 jumped 219.01 points, 1.1%, at 20,588.51, and the AIM All-Share rose 3.93 points, 0.6%, at 715.32.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.4% at 855.97 on Tuesday, the Cb

First quarter revenue up 14%On track to meet full year targetsIndian IPO expected in the SpringSSP Group (SSPG) was one of the best mid-cap performers, gaining over 4% after the operator of restaurants and bars in travel locations said positive trading momentum has continued into the remainder of its first quarter to 31 December.The shares have struggled over the last year, underperforming the FTS

European stocks were higher on Tuesday afternoon, with New York stocks set for a quieter start after a tumultuous Monday trade which saw tech stocks dive.The FTSE 100 index added 51.82 points, 0.6%, at 8,555.53. The FTSE 250 was up 190.59 points, 0.9%, at 20,560.09, and the AIM All-Share rose 3.37 points, 0.5%, at 714.76.The Cboe UK 100 was 0.6% higher at 857.38, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.0% at 17,99

Retail like-for-likes down 2.8%Jollyes taking market shareVeterinary business growth is strongPets at Home's (PETS) shares pawed their way 4.5% higher to 220.6p after the UK pet care leader maintained full-year profit guidance despite suffering a retail sales slowdown in a tough third quarter, which management blamed on the 'more challenging' UK consumer backdrop.Despite disappointing retail sales