London's FTSE 100 ended lower on Friday, as the pound surged to a more than two-week high and approached the $1.25 mark on the back of decent UK data and as hopes of a 'softer approach' to tariffs from the US administration hurt the dollar.The FTSE 100 index ended 62.85 points, 0.7%, at 8,502.35. The FTSE 250 lost just 2.34 points at 20,518.05, and the AIM All-Share fell 5.81 points, 0.8%, at 715.

The market is alive with chatter about a mega-merger in the mining space after the revelation of a failed coupling between Rio Tinto (RIO) and Glencore (GLEN). That's understandable for several reasons, but recent history shows flirtations between corporate giants often go unconsummated.Having covered the oil and gas sector for nearly 20 years, I have seen the topic of a combination between

As we predicted a fortnight ago, US banks enjoyed strong revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2024 helped by elevated levels of trading in stocks and bonds as well as higher investment banking fees as companies took advantage of low borrowing costs and buoyant stock markets to raise fresh capital.Given the sharp rise in the KBW Nasdaq Bank index over the last year, and gains of around 50% for b

Vistry Group (VTY) 588pMarket cap: £1.95 billionWe have held off from recommending any of the housebuilders over the last year as despite plenty of attractive valuations it was clear the whole sector was in a downgrade cycle.That cycle now seems to be over, for Vistry (VTY) at least. The company was forced to warn on profits three times in quick succession last quarter, including one announcement

The US and China are at loggerheads, philosophically, politically and economically ? though thankfully not in military terms ? and the contrast between how the two are perceived by financial markets could hardly be greater. Stock markets offer part of the story, as America's headline indices sit at or near to all-time highs, while the Shanghai Composite equity benchmark languishes where it did bac

Eight years ago, at his first inauguration, Donald Trump delivered one of the darkest addresses in presidential history.This time round, he tried to make the mood more uplifting, describing himself as 'optimistic' and promising 'a thrilling new era of national success', although it soon became obvious this success could come at a high price for America's trading partners.Describing Trump as 'usher

Mega cap tech earnings will kick-off next week and cloud computing growth, AI applications, profit margins and regulations will be key pointers. Big tech has been crucial in driving US markets higher in recent years and so setting a positive tone for the year ahead will be crucial.The so-called 'Magnificent Seven' stocks ? Alphabet (GOOG:NASDAQ), Amazon (AMZN:NASDAQ), Apple (AAPL:NASDAQ), Meta Pla

The FTSE 100 fell slightly on Wednesday, as international earners put pressure on the index and as easyJet sank on a 'woolly' update.The FTSE 100 index fell just 3.16 points at 8,545.13. The FTSE 250 lost 15.43 points, 0.1%, at 20,580.30, and the AIM All-Share ended up 1.89 points, 0.3%, at 721.00.The Cboe UK 100 lost 0.1% at 856.60, the Cboe UK 250 fell 0.2% at 17,962.96, and the Cboe Small Compa

Blue chip stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were in the green at Wednesday midday, while British pub operator JD Wetherspoon was down a notch as it warned on higher costs amid an incoming increase in national insurance contributions for UK employers.The UK Chancellor is unlikely to be celebrating after public sector net borrowing rose to £17.81 billion in December, far outpacing FXStree

Key UK indices closed in the green on Tuesday as Trump's stance on tariffs appeared to shift to a more moderate position and UK unemployment rose above expectations.The FTSE 100 index rose 27.75 points, 0.3%, at 8,548.29, just shy of a new intra-day high of 8,550.41.The FTSE 250 ended 108.99 points higher, 0.5%, at 20,595.73, and the AIM All-Share rose 0.82 of a point, 0.1%, at 719.11.The Cboe UK

Stock prices in London were mostly in the red at midday on Monday, as Pod Point shares dived as it lamented an ongoing weakness in the private new car segment of the electric vehicle market.'Markets are beating to the drum of Donald Trump on the day of his return to the White House,' commented AJ Bell's Russ Mould. 'Markets are eagerly awaiting Trump's first batch of executive orders as this will

First US approval for breast cancer drugTreatment reduces risk of death by 37%Eighth new medicine out of 20 set to deliver by 2030AstraZeneca (AZN) said the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved its cancer treatment Datroway to treat adult patients with breast cancer where surgery is not possible or where the cancer has spread through the body, who have already received standard of ca

The FTSE 100 reached a new all-time high on Friday, with stocks comfortably in the green at midday, after sound fourth quarter growth data from China, which beat the consensus.The FTSE 100 index was up 99.25 points, 1.2%, at 8,491.24. It had earlier reached a new intra-day high of 8,496.42.The FTSE 250 was 36.40 points higher, 0.2%, at 20,564.10, and the AIM All-Share advanced 1.87 points, 0.3%, a

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were higher on Friday morning despite underperforming UK retail sales, with miners boosting the FTSE 100 on the back of economic growth data from China.UK retail sales volumes decreased 0.3% month-on-month in December, worsening from 0.1% growth in November and falling far short of the FXStreet-cited market consensus of 0.4% growth.On an annual basis, re

Out of nowhere the market for weight loss drugs has become one of the most exciting investment themes in the last two years, rivalling investor enthusiasm for AI.There is good reason for the excitement. Rod Wong, managing partner at RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW) fund describes the development of obesity drugs as the biggest ever financial opportunity in healthcare.That is because obesity is the

Oil prices have hit a six-month high amid cold weather and new US sanctions on Russian sales of crude.This is not entirely bad news for the FTSE 100 given the heavy weighting of oil giants BP (BP.) and Shell (SHEL) in the index, but not for nothing is oil known as a tax on economic growth.Higher prices are likely to feed into higher inflation, which will only reinforce assumptions about interest r

Stock prices in London surged on Wednesday, with a sharp jump for the FTSE 250 allowing the UK-focused index to eat into some of its hefty loss so far in 2025.A favourable UK inflation reading calmed some bond markets and swung the pendulum in favour of a Bank of England rate cut at the central bank's next meeting.In addition, earnings from US banks were well-received, adding to the positive mood

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were in the green on Tuesday morning, as housebuilders in the UK enjoyed a boost after giving trading updates.'Markets' sensitivity to major economic data will likely rise as policy uncertainties mount and appetite weakens,' commented Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'Due today, the US will release its latest PPI numbers, and the headline PPI may have ris

Blue chips in London, Paris and Frankfurt opened lower on Monday as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to lift the mood in the UK with her China trip, amid a modest investment deal.'Surprise! The US economy added more than [250,000] new nonfarm jobs in December, some [90,000] more than expected, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%,' explained Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'If it's any comfort

FDA accept review of syringe applicationOver 90 million doses givenApproved expected by 20 June 2025The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has accepted for review the regulatory application of GSK's (GSK) pre-filled syringe presentation of its shingles prevention drug Shingrix.The new application removes the need for healthcare professionals to reconstitute separate bottles prior to administrat