Stock prices in London were in the green on Friday morning, making tentative gains despite blue-chip equities in mainland Europe starting the day slowly. The FTSE 100 index traded 8.57 points higher, 0.1%, at 8,281.03. The FTSE 250 was up 22.01 points, 0.1%, at 20,520.73, though the AIM All-Share added 1.85 points, 0.2%, at 774.23. The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.1% to 823.76, the Cboe UK 250 added 0.2%...

Stock prices in London closed mostly higher on Thursday a day after inflation cooled to the Bank of England's target, with European markets also rising. The FTSE 100 index closed up 67.35 points, 0.8%, at 8,272.46. The FTSE 250 ended up 117.67 points, 0.6%, at 20,498.72, and the AIM All-Share closed down 5.12 points, 0.7%, at 772.38. The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.8% at 822.72, the Cboe UK 250 clos...

Stocks in London climbed after the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged with some officials stating the decision was 'finely balanced,' hinting rate cuts may come. The pound struggled, however. Sterling was quoted at $1.2684 early Thursday afternoon, down from $1.2723 at the London equities close Wednesday. The FTSE 100 index traded 33.04 points higher, 0.4%, at 8,238.15. The FTSE 250...

Despite delivering full year profit at the top end of market expectations and doubling the size of the business, investors gave multi-brand franchise operator Franchise Brands (FRAN:AIM) the thumbs down with the shares dropping 11% to 152.6p. While all the group's key divisions achieved record results in 2023, management noted some second half softening in demand in the construction and hire fl...

Global ingredients group Tate & Lyle (TATE) has agreed to buy US-based 'mouthfeel' specialist CP Kelco from Huber for $1.8 billion (£1.4 billion) with the food producer hungry to accelerate growth in its specialty food and beverage business. The cash and shares transaction should sweeten Tate & Lyle's margins over the next few years and makes strategic sense, since it creates a market leader i...

Shares in YouGov (YOU:AIM) were down 38% to 518p in morning trading as the market research and polling outfit said it had seen lower bookings than anticipated following its half year results and cut its full year 2024 guidance. The company now expects group reported revenue for full year 2024 to be in the range of £324 million to £327 million compared with consensus forecasts of over £340 mi...

Stock prices in London opened largely in the green on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 registering a solid gain before an expected Bank of England rate hold in the early afternoon. There was a slew of M&A updates in early UK corporate news, adding some excitement before Threadneedle Street takes centre-stage. The FTSE 100 index traded 22.16 points higher, 0.3%, at 8,227.27. The FTSE 250 was up 65.85...

Blue chips in London outperformed European peers as investors weighed up inflation data and looked ahead to Thursday's interest rate decision by the Bank of England. The FTSE 100 index closed up 13.82 points, 0.2%, at 8,205.11. The FTSE 250 ended down 28.88 points, 0.1%, at 20,381.05, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.82 of a point, 0.1%, at 777.50. The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.1% at 816.25, the...

Stock prices in London were in the green at Wednesday midday, amid data showing consumer price inflation ebbed to the 2% target in May, ahead of the Bank of England's next interest rate decision due Thursday. The FTSE 100 index was up 4.76 points, or 0.1%, at 8,195.96. The FTSE 250 was up 38.44 points, or 0.2%, at 20,448.68, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.75 points, or 0.2%, at 780.07. The Cboe...

Pubs and hotels group Young & Co (YNGA:AIM) reported a 9.3% increase in adjusted pre-tax profit to a record £49.4 million for the year ending 1 April 2024, despite continued cost inflation and consumer uncertainty. The completed acquisition of the City Pub group on 4 March this year contributed £7.3 million revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) of...

The hobbyist end of the gaming market appears to be as popular as ever after fantasy miniatures maker Games Workshop (GAW) revealed better than expected full year revenue and profit. The shares, which have been in a holding pattern this year, trading between £90 and £100, jumped 8% to £101.80, as investors anticipated earnings upgrades from analysts. Consensus EPS (earnings per share) estima...

High-end housebuilder Berkeley (BKG) has upgraded its full-year 2025 pre-tax profit guidance after delivering a resilient performance last year despite the 'challenging and volatile' market backcloth. The FTSE 100 builder also flagged signs that the housing market outlook is improving with inflation greatly reduced and a first interest rate cut from the Bank of England expected later this year....

Specialist engineering firm Spectris (SXS) confirmed the sceptics' view of the company by lowering its full-year operating profit forecast to 'at or below' the bottom end of the consensus. The shares slumped 450p or 14% at the open to a 12-month low of £27.50 before recovering to £29.50 for a loss of 8% in mid-morning trade. PANALYTICAL PAINS The main reason the firm gave for lowering guidanc...