Stocks in London were called slightly higher on Thursday at midday, as investors eye the European Central Bank's upcoming rate decision and following surprisingly positive data for the UK construction industry. The FTSE 100 index was up 25.37 points, 0.3%, at 8,272.32. The FTSE 250 was up 66.00 points, 0.3%, at 20,739.41, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.54 points, 0.3%, at 796.43. The Cboe UK...

Shares in N Brown (BWNG:AIM) rallied 18% to 17.6p after the online clothing and footwear retailer behind the JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo brands returned to statutory pre-tax profit and claimed it was positioned for 'sustainable growth' amid demonstrable progress with its multi-year turnaround strategy. The rebound at N Brown, whose shares are down 90% on a five-year view, will be welcomed...

Investors cheered a trading update from Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM) as the shares fizzed up 3% to £11.15 after the premium mixers company said it was comfortable with full year expectations and continues to take market share across key categories. The shares have gained 11% year to date compared with a 5% advance in the FTSE AIM 100 index. They remain around 58% below the highs of £27 reached...

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE The Indian economy is thriving, but its multi-year growth economy presents investors with a dilemma, says Rita Tahilramani The Indian market presents investors with a dilemma. On the one hand, the backdrop is extraordinary: India's economy is growing and diversifying, a large and rising middle class is driving consumption, while astute government policy is hel...

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE Bruce Stout, Co-Manager, Murray International Trust It's almost 50 years since my generation left school in the summer of '75'. Armed with aspirations that could only be fulfilled by becoming the next Denis Law or Carlos Santana, scant attention was given to prevailing economic and political circumstances. Blissfully oblivious to stagnating UK growth and infla...

The board of oil services and consulting firm Wood Group (WG.) last night published a statement saying while they were confident in the company's strategic direction and its prospects they had decided to engage with bidder Sidara. Wood Group shares jumped 19p or 10% to 205p, which is still some way short of Sidara's cash offer of 230p per share. FOURTH TIME LUCKY? Sidara - or to give the firm i...

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Thursday, hours before the upcoming interest rate decision from the European Central Bank. The FTSE 100 index opened up 4.77 points, or 0.1%, at 8,251.72. The FTSE 250 was up 77.23 points, or 0.4%, at 20,751.01, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.81 points, or 0.1%, at 799.78. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 822.04, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2% at 18,19...

Stocks in London closed with mixed performances on Wednesday, as investors await an expected interest rate cut from the European Central Bank on Thursday. The FTSE 100 index closed up 14.91 points, 0.2%, at 8,246.95. The FTSE 250 ended down 44.58 points, 0.2%, at 20,673.41, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.77 of a point, 0.1%, at 798.97. The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 822.65, the Cboe UK 250...

Stock prices were mostly higher at midday on Wednesday as markets prepared for possible rate cuts in Europe and Canada, with a boost for Smith & Nephew but a slump for B&M European despite strong earnings. The FTSE 100 was up 24.43 points, 0.3%, at 8,256.47. The FTSE 250 was down 13.88 points, 0.1%, at 20,704.11, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.53 points, 0.4%, at 801.73. The Cboe UK 100 was up...

Investors knew the pressure was on Crowdstrike (CRWD:NASDAQ). The share prices of some of the industry's key players - Fortinet (FTNT:NASDAQ), Cyberark Software (CYBR:NASDAQ), Cloudflare (NET:NYSE) among them - have limped through most of the calendar second quarter of 2024 in the wake of Palo Alto Networks' (PANW:NASDAQ) soggy growth guidance this year (see Wall Street Week link below). Invest...

Global travel retailer WH Smith (SMWH) said it had seen continued positive trading momentum in the 13 weeks to 1 June, with total travel revenue up 9% putting it on track to deliver full-year results in line with expectations. Investors welcomed the positive trading update and outlook, sending the shares close to the top of the mid-cap FTSE 250 index rising over 3% to £11.8. The shares are dow...

Shares in Centrica (CNA) were down more than 5% to 135p in morning trading despite the utilities firm saying trading so far this year had been 'in line' with expectations against a backdrop of a more 'normalised' external environment. Investors might have been spooked by the utilities firm caution for the rest of the year which mentioned 'uncertainties' like weather, commodity prices, regulatio...

Cash-generative discounter B&M European Value Retail's (BME) annual results came in towards the top end of the guided range, while management reiterated the growth opportunity from the FTSE 100 retailer's store opening programme. Why then, did shares in the affordable general merchandise seller sink 5.6% to 515.6p on the news? The answer appears to be the absence of current trading numbers or f...