Investors in London showed confidence on Monday, with stocks closing up on hopes on interest rate cuts being around the corner.The FTSE 100 index closed up 3.94 points at 8,424.20. The FTSE 250 ended up 123.43 points, 0.6%, at 20,873.33, and the AIM All-Share closed up 15.92 points, 2.0%, at 809.94.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.1% at 840.87, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.6% at 18,250.48, and the Cboe S

Airtel Africa (AAF) 140pLoss to date: 4.6%Original entry point 146.69p, 21 April 2022Given the drubbing handed out to global stock markets since we said to buy FTSE 100 firm Airtel Africa (AAF), we'll take a sub-5% loss on our opening price with grace.The group's full-year results more than delivered on its sales and operating profit targets with revenues in constant currencies up more than 20% to

It is somewhat ironic that for a communications company there is so little coverage of Airtel Africa (AAF) in the financial press.As a result, it may surprise many readers to discover that the firm, which only listed in mid-2019, is already a FTSE 100 constituent.Its latest set of financial results beat estimates. They show the company is increasingly profitable and has a long runway of growth ahe

The FTSE 100 closed lower Friday as inflation and higher interest rates came into focus on a strong US jobs report and a bounce back for major tech stocks.The unexpected surge in jobs last month, up 467,000 versus an estimate of 150,000 rise, spiked bond yields and reaffirmed to investors that the Federal Reserve would continue with its plan to raise interest rates as soon as March.At the close, t

The UK's major shares reversed morning gains to nudge into the red at lunchtime on Friday, joining Europe's major markets under water. Having closed in on two-year highs of 7,600 following near-1% gains earlier, the FTSE 100 lost its momentum as the market mood turned more nervous ahead of US jobs data due at 1.30pm UK time.At 12.45pm, the UK's benchmark index has dipped a toe into the red with a

UK stocks began the last trading of the week in better spirits despite a turbulent overnight session for US equities as shares in Facebook owner Meta lost $250 billion in value, the largest single one-day loss in US history, contributing to a 4.2% slide in the Nasdaq 100 technology index.In contrast, Amazon delivered better than expected earnings thanks to its cloud business, sending its shares up

The FTSE 100 closed Wednesday's session with a modest gain, edging 0.16% higher to 7,516.87 points on ongoing optimism over the impact of the less severe Omicron strain and support from a solid ADP private sector payrolls report across the pond, which prepared investors for a decent non-farm payrolls print on Friday.Blue chip miners Rio Tinto (RIO) and BHP (BHP), banks Lloyds (LLOY) and NatWest (N

By midday on Wednesday, London's FTSE 100 had shaken off its earlier losses and resumed the upwards momentum it displayed on its first trading day of 2022, as broker upgrades helped lift some heavyweight stocks and supermarkets gained ground on positive industry data.The blue chip benchmark traded 0.19% higher at 7,519.62 by lunchtime, though the FTSE 250 was flat at 23,895.60.Investors were await

Major UK equity markets lost the positive momentum established in the previous session during early trading on Wednesday morning.Both the blue chip FTSE 100 FTSE 250 dipped into negative territory. At 9am the FTSE 100 was trading down 0.05% at 7501.43, and the FTSE 250 was 0.07% weaker at 23,880.65.Investors will be awaiting the release of US ADP private sector payrolls data later today for Decem

We might have thought we'd seen it all after 2020 but it's been quite a year in 2021 too with an impressive rebound for the markets from the ravages of the pandemic.But which stocks have done best? Read on to discover the top performers up and down the market cap spectrum and find out why they've done so well. For the purposes of this article we've deliberately excluded investment trusts.£4 billi

UK shares finished higher on Friday with the FTSE 100 index of leading shares closing 0.3% higher at 7,304, taking the gain over the last month to 4.3% and closing in on a new two year high.US markets made new all-time highs across the board with the economically sensitive Russell 2000 index particularly strong, rising 1.4% reflecting renewed confidence in the strength of the economy after positiv

UK and European stocks continued their ascent on Friday as investors digested the more dovish tones seen from both the US Fed and the Bank of England.All eyes will be on the monthly US non-farm payrolls data due out over lunchtime with investors looking for an acceleration of job hires in October. Meanwhile positive US earnings reports gave a boost to pre-market futures.Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer

London's FTSE traded 0.43% higher at 7,311.38 points early on Friday, as banks rebounded after yesterday's falls, triggered by the Bank of England's surprise decision to leave rates on hold, while telecoms titan BT (BT.A) rose again after reinstating the dividend yesterday.Following the central bank led excitement of the past few days, investors' attentions turned to the keenly-watched US jobs fig

London's FTSE 100 traded lower by midday on Wednesday, the blue chip benchmark marked down 0.4% to 7,246.42, as nervousness built ahead of two key central bank decisions.The US Federal Reserve was set to announce its rates decision later on Wednesday, with the Bank of England following on Thursday.Overnight, US equity markets were firmer with the Nasdaq Composite edging 0.34% higher at 15,649.60,

Investors appeared to be keeping their powder dry on Wednesday ahead of key interest rate decisions, from the US Federal Reserve later today, and Bank of England tomorrow.At 9am, the benchmark FTSE 100 was trading 0.25% lower at 7256.74, although mid-caps managed modest gains, the FTSE 250 nudging 0.07% higher to 23,156.07.Overnight, US equity markets were firmer with the Nasdaq Composite edging 0

London's FTSE 100 finished Wednesday's trading session 0.4% higher at 7,108 points as inflation worries eased and the blue chip benchmark was boosted by a decent start on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 up 0.3% to 4,216.2 by 4.30pm UK time.As in the US, the absence of earnings from big-name companies left the FTSE 100 lacking a bit of inspiration, with the index outshone by the FTSE 250, which rose

London's FTSE 100 had retreated modestly from its morning highs by lunchtime as housebuilders slipped back on mixed mortgage data.By 12.20, the blue chip benchmark was 0.2% higher at 7,092.37 points, while the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 was 0.1% easier at 22,854.5.BLOOMSBURY REPORTS RECORD YEARPublisher Bloomsbury (BMY) jumped 8.7% to 336p after it reported a record financial year as readi

UK stocks continued their momentum on Wednesday with more solid gains as investors remained upbeat on the global economic recovery.Defying expectations of a flat opening, the UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index moved 0.56% higher to 7,120 while the midcap FTSE 250 index, currently sitting at all-time highs, gained 0.33% to 22,951.It comes after a flat session overnight on Wall Street, where the Dow Jone

London's FTSE 100 finished 0.4% higher at 6,737.30 points ahead of the Easter break amid optimism over a reopening of the UK economy.By 4.30pm UK time, the S&P 500 index in the US moved had above 4,000 for the first time, marking a record high after US President Joe Biden proposed a fresh $2 trillion stimulus package. US tech stocks rose on the back of Biden's plan to pump funds into key industrie

London's FTSE 100 traded higher ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend as investor sentiment turned positive on optimism over the impact of a $2 trillion stimulus package in the US and investors backed shares which will benefit from the reopening plan which is set to gather pace in the UK in April.A strong update from clothing retailer Next (NXT) also added a layer of shine to the index. By noon