The FTSE 100's advance eased going into Wednesday afternoon, as a weaker Brent price hit oil majors, but the mood in equity markets remained optimistic on a growing expectation that the Federal Reserve will cut rates next month. The FTSE 100 index inched up 4.87 points, 0.1%, at 9,152.68. The FTSE 250 added 46.46 points, 0.2%, at 21,889.15, and the AIM All-Share rose 0.55 of a point, 0.1%, at...

First-half revenue up 3% EBITDA growth of 44% Full-year target reiterated William Hill and 888 owner Evoke (EVOK) pleased markets after reporting a fourth consecutive quarter of revenue growth and a big jump in profitability, sending the shares up 4% to 65p. The shares have gained 7% so far in 2025, lagging the 10% advance in the FTSE All-Share index. > More detailed chart Chief executive Per...

Premium growth forecast lowered Through-the-cycle profit the priority Shares were trading at life-high Investors are usually supportive of Beazley's (BEZ) cautious approach to delivering growth through the insurance cycle, which explains why the shares have been trading at record highs, but on this occasion they seem to have taken exception to the firm's decision to rein in expectations. The...

Stocks in Europe were higher on Wednesday morning, amid the growing conviction that the Federal Reserve will cut rates at its next meeting, after softer-than-expected US inflation data. The annual US consumer price inflation inflation rate was unchanged at 2.7% in July. This was the same as in June but lower than the FXStreet-cited market consensus of an uptick to 2.8%. Swissquote analyst Ipek...

London stocks rounded off the day mixed on Tuesday, as investors weighed news of a US-China tariff truce extension and steady US inflation numbers. The FTSE 100 index closed up 18.10 points, 0.2%, at 9,147.81. The FTSE 250 ended 46.80 points lower, 0.2%, at 21,842.69, while the AIM All-Share finished up 1.06 points, 0.1%, at 759.27. The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.3% at 915.84, the Cboe UK 250...

Stocks in Europe were mostly higher on Tuesday midday ahead of US consumer price index data, as investors breathed a sigh of relief after a trade truce extension between the US and China. As part of their May truce, fresh US tariffs targeting China were reduced to 30% and the corresponding level from China was cut to 10%. Those rates will now hold until November ? or whenever a deal is cut...

Better than expected H1 Full-year outlook increased Shares up with events Global sports betting and gaming group Entain (ENT) reported double-digit increases in both net gaming revenue and profit for the first half of 2025, comfortably beating consensus estimates, and raised its full-year guidance. However, shares in the Ladbrokes and Coral brands owner have had a strong run leading into the...

Double-digit increase in volumes Prices also higher than last year Firm 'well positioned for growth' For the second time this year, Bellway (BWY) has ridden to the rescue to alleviate some of the gloomy sentiment around the housebuilding sector with positive news on sales and reservations. The shares, which were trading just shy of £30 in July but have been languishing below the £25 mark...

Stock prices in Europe were mostly higher on Tuesday morning amid an extension of the US-China trade truce, while investors await US consumer price index inflation data and digest a UK unemployment reading. The FTSE 100 index traded up 21.34 points, 0.2%, at 9,151.05. The FTSE 250 added 51.59 points, 0.2%, at 21,941.08, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.44 points, 0.3%, at 760.65. The Cboe UK 100...

London stocks ended mostly lower on Monday, although the FTSE 100 surpassed its European peers ahead of UK jobs data and US inflation. Also, markets currently appear 'very relaxed' ahead of the deadline for US-China trade talks. The FTSE 100 index closed up 33.98 points, 0.4%, at 9,129.71. The FTSE 250 ended 69.06 points lower, 0.3%, at 21,889.49, while the AIM All-Share finished down 4.25...

The FTSE 100 outperformed its European peers on Monday, trading higher around midday in London, weighing developments in Ukraine and prospects ahead of Tuesday's US-China trade talks deadline. The FTSE 100 index traded up 16.75 points, 0.2%, at 9,112.48. The FTSE 250 fell 80.96 points, 0.4%, at 21,877.59, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.77 points, 0.4%, at 759.69. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2%...

FDA accepts application for gepotidacin Positive phase-three trials GAK to receive $370m settlement Pharmaceutical firm GSK (GSK) said the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has accepted an application to review gepotidacin, its oral antibiotic to treat sexually transmitted uncomplicated gonorrhoea in patients 12 years and older. The shares ticked up 14p or 1% to £14.09, taking...

The FTSE 100 outperformed European peers at the start of the week, ahead of key US inflation data and a UK unemployment reading on Tuesday. The FTSE 100 index traded up 31.62 points, 0.4%, at 9,127.35. The FTSE 250 added 3.96 points at 21,962.51, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.68 of a point, 0.1%, at 761.78. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 913.70, the Cboe UK 250 was flat at 19,355.57, and...

Stocks in London ended mixed on Friday, as gambling operators were hit by rumours of tax rises in the UK while hopes for an end to conflict in Ukraine received a boost. The FTSE 100 index closed down 5.04 points, 0.1%, at 9,095.73. The FTSE 250 ended 20.45 points higher, 0.1%, at 21,958.55 while the AIM All-Share finished down 1.05 points, 0.1%, at 762.46. For the week, the FTSE 100 rose 0.3%,...

Stocks in Europe continued to be mixed at Friday midday, with investor sentiment cautious as gold futures hit a new record high. The FTSE 100 index was up 4.53 points, 0.1%, at 9,105.30. The FTSE 250 was down 27.66 points, 0.1%, at 21,910.44, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.69 points, 0.4%, at 760.82. The Cboe UK 100 was flat at 911.97, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.1% at 19,305.02, and the Cboe...

Stocks in Europe opened mixed on Friday ahead of US Vice President JD Vance meeting UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kent. The FTSE 100 index opened up 6.08 points, 0.1%, at 9,106.85. The FTSE 250 was down 56.83 points, 0.3%, at 21,881.27, and the AIM All-Share was down 3.17 points, 0.4%, at 760.34. The Cboe UK 100 was slightly higher at 912.34, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.2% at 19,284.05,...

Stocks in London were mixed on Thursday, while the pound strengthened after the Bank of England cut interest rates in a surprisingly divided vote. The quarter point cut by the BoE taking the bank rate to 4.00% from 4.25% was widely expected. But the split among Monetary Policy Committee members proved surprising, requiring an unprecedented second round of voting. Five members of the nine...

The pound moved higher but stocks in London went into reverse after the Bank of England voted to cut rates in a decision that needed two rounds of votes. Schroders analyst George Brown commented: 'Today's rate cut is no surprise, but the path forward is anything but clear. Jobs, growth and inflation figures all call for different policy prescriptions, as reflected in the unprecedented two...

Interim dividend per share halved New CEO Cindy Rose starts on 1 September Year-to-date shares down 53% Shares in WPP (WPP) fell over 3% after the advertising giant reported a 7.8% fall in first-half revenue to £6.6 billion, in line with the July trading update. Although today's results (7 August) provided few surprises, the shares plumbed a 16-year low, and the company halved its interim...

First-half 'beat' New £50 million buyback Defence sector momentum continues Government outsourcing leader Serco (SRP) was among the top FTSE 250 risers in early dealings after delivering better-than-expected first-half results and announcing a new £50 million buyback. Shares in the company bounced 8.2% to a 10-year high of 226.6p as Serco revealed a 9% rise in its order book, although the...