Stocks in Europe took a hit on Thursday, with eyes on US economic data due out this afternoon and on Friday. The FTSE 100 index traded down 59.21 points, or 0.7%, at 8,094.48. The FTSE 250 was down 224.81 points, 1.1%, at 20,726.03, while the AIM All-Share fell 7.50 points, 1.0%, at 769.14. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.7% at 807.67, the Cboe UK 250 dropped 1.2% to 18,129.36, and the Cboe Small Co...

Another quarter of improving volumes, positive progress with its cost-cutting drive and a massive upgrade to full year margin guidance were key reasons why consumer goods goliath Unilever (ULVR) led the FTSE 100 higher today. The planned sale of its ice cream division, which could fetch as much of £15 billion, alongside the decision to cut 3,200 office jobs in Europe, have begun to revitalise...

With the earnings season in full swing, attention turned to high-street lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY), the first of the 'Big Four' to report, and while earnings may have topped estimates there was little in the way of celebration. The shares, which have had a good run this year gaining 24%, opened down 2.7p or 4.5% to 57p before recovering to trade at 58.9p for a loss of 1.2%. LOWER CHARGE...

European equities nursed heavy losses at the open on Thursday, as investors weighed a mixed bag of earnings and hefty losses in US markets. Still, the FTSE 100 index traded down 60.56 points, or 0.7%, at 8,093.13. The FTSE 250 was down 201.65 points, 1.0%, at 20,749.19, while the AIM All-Share fell 5.35 points, 0.7%, at 771.29. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.7% at 807.72, the Cboe UK 250 dropped 1....

The FTSE 100 finished lower at the close on Wednesday, as tech earnings weighed on equities across the pond, despite figures showing a strong result for UK business activity in July. The FTSE 100 index closed down 13.68 points, 0.2%, at 8,153.69. The FTSE 250 ended down 140.65 points, 0.7%, at 20,950.84, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.53 points, 0.5%, at 776.64. The Cboe UK 100 ended down...

Booming cloud services and improving profits from its US marketplace are key reasons why Amazon (AMZN:NASDAQ) is the top megacap pick for analysts at investment bank Morgan Stanley. According to Morgan Stanley, which raised its target for Amazon stock to $240, investors can expect strong growth from its cloud computing infrastructure leader Amazon Web Services (AWS). They reckon AWS needs to gr...

London's stocks were shaky going into Wednesday afternoon, despite data showing a pick up in UK private sector growth. Amongst individual stocks, easyJet was flying after it said it is on track to deliver another 'record-breaking summer'. The FTSE 100 index traded 13.83 points lower, or 0.2%, at 8,154.04. The FTSE 250 was down 58.02 points, 0.3%, at 21,033.47, while the AIM All-Share was down 1...

After a remarkable start to the year in terms of shareholder returns, investors in events and analysis firm Ascential (ASCL) woke to the news today that the board had agreed a £1.2 billion conditional bid for the company from rival Informa (INF). Ascential shares jumped 116p or 26% to 563p, just shy of the 568p per share cash offer and an all-time high on an adjusted basis after factoring in M...

Shares in Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) rallied 4% to £45.86 after the consumer goods powerhouse unveiled plans to sell a raft of non-core homecare brands and said it was reviewing options for its troubled infant formula business. In a similar strategy to many of its rivals including Unilever (ULVR), Reckitt is now planning to streamline and focus on the brands which have the best opportunities. The...

European stocks opened lower on Wednesday, as underwhelming results from US tech titans Alphabet and Tesla, and French luxury goods retailer LVMH, dented the mood. Still, the FTSE 100 index traded down 38.31 points, or 0.5%, at 8,129.06. The FTSE 250 was down 41.30 points, 0.2%, at 21,050.19, while the AIM All-Share was down 1.24 points, 0.2%, at 778.93. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 811.48,...

Miners dragged the FTSE 100 into the red on Tuesday, as stocks in London finished the session lower at the close. The FTSE 100 index closed down 31.41 points, 0.4%, at 8,167.37. The FTSE 250 ended down 47.19 points, 0.2%, at 21,091.49, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.07 points, 0.4%, at 780.17. The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 814.73, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.5% at 18,388.59, and the...

The FTSE 100 shrugged off a subdued start to push higher at midday on Tuesday, although an underwhelming session for miners held back further gains. The FTSE 100 index traded 27.12 points higher, or 0.3%, at 8,225.90. The FTSE 250 was down 17.71 points, 0.1%, at 21,120.97, while the AIM All-Share was down 1.33 points, 0.2%, at 781.91. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 821.39, the Cboe UK 250 was 0...